HOWARD THE DUCK (aka HOWARD: A NEW BREED OF
HERO) (PG)
D: Willard Huyck
Universal (Gloria Katz & George
Lucas)
US 1986
111 mins
Science Fiction/Comedy
W: Willard Huyck & Gloria Katz [based on
characters created by Steve Gerber]
DP: Richard H. Kline
Ed: Michael Chandler & Sidney
Wolinsky
Mus: John Barry
Lea Thompson (Beverly Switzler), Tim Robbins (Phil
Blumburtt), Jeffrey Jones (Dr. Walter Jenning), Chip Zien (voice of Howard the Duck)
George Lucas, drunk on the riches he amassed through
the Star Wars trilogy turned his attentions in the mid-80's to developing this comic book into a feature length movie. Featuring a duck-like alien who arrives on Earth and falls in love
with a rock singer, this film is nothing short of a disaster. Everything about it completely sub-standard, poor performances, cheap-looking visual effects and a totally unconvincing duck
suit. It's embarrassing considering Lucas had such huge involvement.
Perhaps it may have worked better as an animated film,
but certainly not with this script, packed with attempted jokes which are completely unsuitable for a young audience. Amongst the worst movies of all time.
1/10