Rat Race (2001)

"It's a Race, It's a Race ... Zzzzzzzzzzzz"

This is one of those movies that I have seen about a dozen or so times. When I saw it in the movie theater, I nearly busted a gut. It's the kind of humor I love, real slapstick, in the genre of movies like "Airplane" or "Vacation". Completely goofy and entertaining with a fun cast who really pull off a very entertaining movie.

I owned Rat Race in VHS and am now in the process of replacing it on DVD. There are not many movies I have replaced in this manner -- but this one is just mindless entertainment. And sometimes you really need that.

If you are seeking a good laugh, nothing deep or inspirational ... just downright funny. Grab this one. It's great! :) July 22, 2008

Love this movie!

I thought it would be just a remake of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", but it is hilarious! Kathy Bates' uncredited cameo as the Squirrel Lady is not to be missed. July 21, 2008

One of the Funniest

This is definitely one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. My favorite part is when John Lovitz is driving around in Hilter's car. HILARIOUS! July 9, 2008

A race worth running...

I've seen `It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' and loved it, so I was setting myself up for disappointment with `Rat Race'; Zucker's 2001 comedy which drew immense inspiration from the later, but what I found was a delightful comedy that surpassed my expectations and can stand on it's own, apart from the original. Sure, there are some drawbacks, but to me those drawbacks are few and far-in-between.

The film revolves around a random group of people who are given the chance to win two-million dollars. All they have to do is be the first ones to find it. Obsessive gambler Donald Sinclair is tired of betting on the same things all the time and thus, together with his wealthy gambling friends, surmise to bet on which of these individuals will find the money first. It's a sport to them; they don't care really if they win or lose, it's just fun. For the people on the other end though, the race is not for fun, it is for greed and that greed makes for some hilarious comedy.

The cast is teaming with true comedic talent, from Jon Lovitz to Whoopi Goldberg to Seth Green and these comics truly make the most of their performances. In fact, the movie only proves stale when the `non-comics' are infesting the screen. I'm not a huge fan of Cuba Gooding Jr. (although I loved his Oscar winning performance in `Jerry Maguire') and I found him rather dull here. I also found Breckin Meyer to be miscast and out of place. Amy Smart handles her performance well enough, but she's not all that memorable (except maybe her insane helicopter scene; but that was all scripting). Goldberg, Lovitz, Cleese and especially Green all deliver with flying colors though and make up for some dead weight.

There are so many memorable scenes I'm just chomping at the bit to list them all but I don't want to give too much away or spoil anyone's enjoyment of the film if they have yet to see it. I'll just say this; watch out for the `Nazi Museum' and the hilarity that ensues; keep an eye out for Kathy Bates HILARIOUS cameo and be prepared to wet yourself when Seth Green and Vince Vieluf attempt to keep a few planes grounded.

My biggest problem with `Rat Race' is the ending. It just doesn't sit right with me. It's not bad and it tries to be all morally correct or whatever but I just don't like it. Oh well, it's a small issue really when you look at the broader scope of comedy that fills this film. It's not a profound and or `mature' comedy, but it's chuck-full of gags that land and jokes that tickle the audience's funny bone. April 29, 2008

The Best Movie EVER!

Love the movie! You have to see it several times to really get every detail. It's also much more fun to watch it with at least three people. March 9, 2008

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