Free Enterprise (1998)

Sadly Over-hyped

hyped garbage

Great Film overall

Don't listen to the negative reviews

I new I was in for a treat when the filmmakers themselves announced that this was a cult classic in the opening Star Wars style scroll. Please. Cult classic usually means low quality crap liked by only the people it was directly made for and this mess is no different. The acting for the most part is ham handed and self conscious, the directing is kind of juvenile and the script is incoherent. This is obviously trying very hard to be a Kevin Smith rip off, using the same dialog style and supposed sly references only Trekkie geeks would get, sadly it's not even close to Smith's worst. It is also a blatant take on Swingers with the lovable loser theme and even uses one of the same actors. At points you think it may be getting better and there are even a few giggles here and there but untimely it fails. There is a scene in the diner near the middle that may be one of the worst written I have ever viewed. Also the amazingly real to life situation where poor average looking Star Trek geeks get laid every other day by a new model is just boring. The last scene with Shatner rapping is just ridiculous, in fact the whole self deprecating act he puts on through this snore fest is embarrassing and just like this movie, does not work.

Feckless, laid-back and amiable Robert (the very likable Rafer Weigel) and his sarcastic, more grouchy and irritable best buddy Mark (the equally engaging Eric McCormack) are a couple of hardcore "Star Trek" fans who are both facing their 30th birthdays and the subsequent sense of maturity and responsibility turning 30 entails. Robert and Mark meet their longtime idol William Shatner, who turns out to be a complete flaky and pompous windbag. Moreover, Robert encounters and falls in love with spunky and luscious fellow science fiction buff Claire (the adorable Audie England). Director Robert Meyer Burnett, working from a bright, witty and inspired script he co-wrote with Mark A. Altman, whips up a highly charming, amusing and utterly delightful treat that's rife with knowing pop culture references (the "Logan's Run" gag is especially funny), snappy dialogue, and a lively, carefree, uplifting tone. Weigel and McCormack share a loose and appealing chemistry which makes the friendship between Robert and Mark both touching and credible. Shatner is an absolute hoot as he sends himself up with lip-smacking aplomb: Bill is first seen in a book store checking out a dirty magazine, gets slabbed in the face when he drunkenly attempts to pick up the fetching Marlena (Deborah Van Valkenburgh of "The Warriors") in a bar, and heartily belts out the funky rap tune "No Tears for Caesar" at Mark's gala 30th birthday bash. Nice supporting performances by Patrick Van Horn as the smooth, yet smarmy ladies' man Sean, Phil LaMarr as the moody Eric, Jonathan Slavin as the hopelessly geeky Dan, and Lori Lively as ravishing redhead Leila. Scott Spock's bubbly, frothy, catchy lounge score hits the spot. Charles L. Barbee's polished, sparkling cinematography likewise does the trick. Some of the picture's best and most gut-busting jokes appear in the sidesplitting ending credits. A total blast.

I've noticed many comments here stating that one has to be a fan of Star Trek and sci-fi to appreciate how good this movie is. That couldn't be farther from the truth.I'm not bothered by the many, many references to Star Trek et al. In fact, I'm a big sci-fi fan... but this movie stinks of it's own accord.The idea is pretty good; even having Shatner play the role he did is fine, but the script, story and plot were awful! At some points I wasn't sure whether to groan or vomit. The only thing I am sure of is that I couldn't believe any of those characters were real for even a moment. I may have been able to be a bit more generous had they been high-school actors ad-libbing all the lines.The highlight of course is the "rap" scene. It honestly looked like someone couldn't figure out how to end the movie, but needed to fill the last five minutes. The positions, dancing, and expressions of the people involved in that scene were so dismally put together I would have to assume that there was no planning or direction at all.What astounds me the most is the comparison so many people have made to Kevin Smith movies. Kevin Smith movies, while a little campy once in a while, are intelligent, thought-provoking and humorous in a way that this movie could only dream of being.

Over all this film is OK. I wish it were better, but you can't always get what you wish for.PLOT: While there are various sub-plots running around inside this film, I think I can safely say the true main plot is your traditional: "Boy Meets Girl"I didn't have high hopes for Free Enterprise, so I was happily amused with it. There were a few funny scenes and the ending is very entertaining. Acting is over all fair to good, direction seems fine. I'd say the main plot is the weakest point of this movie. The high points by far are the Shatner scenes.If not for Shatner, this movie would stink.Writing & Plot 5/10 Acting & Direction 7/10 Shatner 10+/10