Midnight Madness (1980)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good start, but then it gets ruined

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Spirited cartoonish romp, with lively cast, might depend heavily on implausible, unrealistic, convenient plotting (right place, right time, and exactly the right moment) regarding clues encountered during a LA scavenger hunt during one night (into Midnight and the following morning) by five teams in a competition arranged by dorky genius Leon (Alan Solomon), but it is chock full of energy and charm. Not a critical darling by any stretch, "Midnight Madness" will probably offer its winning formula to those who grew up with it, fondly embracing its zany developments and wacky characters. Stephen Furst, as an obese jerk (his opening scene has him stuffing his face with fries and tossing his burger pan at a Sonic-like drive-thru at a waitress cruelly), takes top honors along with the beer-guzzling, antagonistic, bullying football players (led by Brad Wilkin and Dirk Blocker) as the heels deserved of every boo hollered in their direction. Furst leads his team of entitled brats (which included his grating and demanding girlfriend, Patricia Albrecht, terminally stupid but lovable oaf Brian Frishman, and aggravating brother, Andy Tennant), while Eddie Deezen (as the scrawny nerd with hyperactive cadence) and his white-helmet, itty-bitty motorbike science-debate "squad" try to stay ahead. Also included is the main hero team of David Naughton (a year before American Werewolf in London), little brother Michael J Fox (the film's most cheesy drama involves their estrangement as Fox vies for his big bro's attention through bad behavior although he's just a "good, misunderstood kid"), Naughton's love interest in the pretty sweetheart, Debra Clinger (despite her appeal had a rather surprisingly short career in the biz), high school virgin lacking confidence, Joel Kenney, and mechanical wizard David Damas. Maggie Roswell's team (she's a bit of a control freak) includes Robyn Petty (she's a tough cookie who punches out one guy and doesn't fear anybody or situation) and these two giggling twins (played by Betsy and Carol Thompson). Leon's support includes two supportive hotties, Candy and Sunshine (eye candy casting at its best: Debi Richter and Kirsten Baker), while his super (Irene Tedrow) is ready to evict him due to the noise of his scavenger hunt headquarters (lots of devices and this major map of the city on the wall as he follows the action of the teams during the night) in the apartment.Observatory peeping, the interesting use of a piano tune, arcade chaos (Pee Wee Herman tries to calm down teams hurling dolls and toys at each other and gets bombarded himself; he is dressed in a cowboy outfit!), madcap lunacy inside the St Bonaventure Hotel (security personnel wind up hosed down by Furst!), and Blocker running rampant in the beer factor of Pabst Blue Ribbon offer comedic highlights. Fox, as a kid just wanting some attention, eventually hugging Naughton, offers one of those Disney family subplots that thankfully is a small part of the overall plot…Naughton's team is certainly set up to win thanks to their setbacks through cheating Furst, who loves to rub it in their face. The LA location shooting is a major plus as is the creative (if ridiculous) ways Leon provides his clues to the teams (boxes in the beer factory shipping department, an advertising light-sign, piano sheet music, necklace "hanging over two melons", miniature golf course, and a message after winning an arcade game). The tenants of Leon's apartment complex (which includes character actors John Fiedler and Charlie Brill) become an excited audience, immersed the experience of following the scavenger hunt from inside his headquarters! Certainly this is a film that could very well have went a raunchier route, considering when it was made, but it remains a family-oriented for the most part throughout. I personally found the film hard to resist. Its charms weren't lost on me. Reviled by critics en masse, and there are plenty of detractors. Maybe those of us who watched it as kids just are more susceptible to its appeal than others.

What can i say about this movie that hasn't been said hundreds of times before? It's an American Classic. It has spawned dozens of imitators. Or none. Midnight Madness is one of kind. From the ridiculous opening montage/music to the Bonaventure HOtel, I was hooked. Leon made us all feel so young and carefree. One question though, how did he have those two hot hookers with him all the time? And how did have the time/money to arrange such an event? The cast is top notch. David Naughton is at his best here. His tight yellow sweatshirt is disturbing. His little brother Michael J Fox(in his first starring role), is a real brat. There is also Naughton's love interest and a dork and the obligatory black dude in a fisherman's hat on the yellow team. Michael J Fox does bad things like try and steal cups of beer at the Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery and runs away to Flounder's van. Flounder's team gives us the most comedy. What exactly is the deal with the blond on that team? Is she dating Flounder? Or Melio? Or Blade? Yes, the Mexican gentleman's name is blade. The other guy on the Flounder team has the best lines of the movie, i won't pomp them here. The Meat Machine team is a bunch of drunks. My personal favorite is Armpit. But the silent black man is great too. The other two teams are 4 nerds and 4 lesbians(two of which are 450 lb twins).You know the ending from the start. But that doesn't matter. This is the 80's me-genre at its finest. Don't rent this one, BUY it. and Buy it now.

A rather silly little film you just may love.Although rather corny and cliché at times, it nonetheless works and makes for good clean fun. Five teams are engaged on a scavenger hunt and battle each other and their wits to win the all night contest - just for the sheer joy "knowing yours is the best team."Notable for several screen debuts including David Naughton's first film role after his Dr. Pepper "Be a Pepper" commercials and before his major 1981 hit "American Werewolf in London". Also features Paul Ruebens in what I believe is his first Pee Wee Herman-esquire roll a year before he became known for it. And last but not least, Mr. Spin City and Alex Keaton himself, Michael J. Fox gets his first film role here. Fans will remember Stephen Furst as Flounder in Animal House. Outside of that, no names, but all funny characters.Doubt it has ever made it to DVD, but there are still probably some VHS copies floating around and you might even catch on a late, late show sometime. If you do, is worth your watch. You may hate it, but it may also become a quirky little movie you come to love.

Hilarious, clean, light-hearted, and quote-worthy. What else can you ask for in a film? This is my all-time, number one favorite movie. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of owning a blue van with flames and an observation bubble.The cliché characters in ridiculous situations are what make this film such great fun. The wonderful comedic chemistry between Stephen Furst (Harold) and Andy Tennant (Melio) make up most of my favorite parts of the movie. And who didn't love the hopeless awkwardness of Flynch? Don't forget the airport antics of Leon's cronies, dressed up as Hari Krishnas: dancing, chanting and playing the tambourine--unbeatable! The clues are genius, the locations are classic, and the plot is timeless.A word to the wise, if you didn't watch this film when you were little, it probably won't win a place in your heart today. But nevertheless give it a chance, you may find that "It doesn't matter what you say, it doesn't matter what you do, you've gotta play."