Meet the Deedles (1998)

Walt Disney is spinning in his grave.

"Meet the Deedles" is one of the crudest and stupidest childrens' films produced in quite a while. The jokes are constantly about either testicles or flatulence. Occassionally there is a defication joke thrown in for good measure. It's really unsuitable for most small children. It's rated PG but I'm not sure I'd take a 7 year old to see it.

What is nice about the film is Paul Walker. He's as fine as can be. He spends a lot of time in close-ups. And the medium shots often find him in shorts or topless. It's well worth the 6 bucks. Steve Van Wormer, as the other Deedle, is made to look nerdy but he's still cute too. It's also nice to see A.J. Langer (from TV's "My So-called Life") in a role as a nice and smart girl. She's really cute here and it's actually fun to watch her make goo-goo eyes with Walker.

The adults in the film don't fare as well. John Ashton does okay as the sort-of good guy, but the baddies really suck. That's sad, espoecially since Dennis Hopper and Robert England (sans Freddie make-up) are the bad guys. Hopper does what is supposed to be a take-off on his "Speed" character here but it comes off as lame as a 3-legged dog. England at leasts gets to be someone else other than Freddie but it really doesn't matter. The baddies are stuck in a ridiculous plot, even for a kid's show, that does absolutely nothing for them. The film's plot is about an ex-Park Ranger who wants to divert Old Faithful's blast. The Deedles, through numerous lame plot twists end up at Yellowtone as Park Ranger trainees and, of course, save the day. It's all pretty numbing.

Anyway, "Meet the Deedles" is bad... For anyone of any age.

Note:

Also with Eric Braeden, Megan Cavanaugh, and Ana Gasteyer.

Directed by Steve Boyum in his debut. He was 2nd Asstistant Director on many films prior to this and began his career as a stunt coordinator, which is kind of odd since the special effects and stunts here pretty much suck thanks to poor special effects. Boyum is a former world class surfer.

Script by James Herzfeld and Dale Pollack (the latter also a producer). Music by Steve Bartek (of Oingo Boingo fame).

Pop soundtrack includes tracks by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Save Ferris, Goldfinger, Weezer, Radish, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Gary Hoey, Hepcat, and Beck among others. Don Ho is mentioned and the theme from "Hawaii 5-0" is used.

At one time the film was going to simply be called "The Deedles." (John Lennon is probably spinning as much as old Walt is.

Filmed in Utah and at Yellowstone National Park on a budget of 24 million.

Review written in 1998

Report Card

Script: F

Acting: C

Cinematography\Lighting: C

Special Effects\Make Up: F

Music: B+

Final Grade: F