Rat Race Details

Enjoy with friends, family, or a heap of ironing

Rat Race is an enjoyable Sunday afternoon film - amusing and obvious with the twee age-old “money isn’t everything” lesson being brought to you with the beautiful irony of Hollywood morality films.

A little trite yes, and certainly more so when compounded with the choice of Smashmouth’s “Hey now, you’re an all star” recycled for the umpteenth time (I’m thinking Shrek, Mystery Men, Austin Powers- I’m sure you can think of more) to really guarantee that the audience realises they’ve seen this all before.

However, the masterful Cleese turns in a suitably eccentric performance, Atkinson works his Mr Bean charm, and Lovitz doesn’t disappoint. And while all the characters are affable and sometimes, though not often, entertaining, you can understand why so many stars were necessary - no character is strong enough to carry the script alone, and it still flags even with the combined efforts of them all (I managed to do an full French manicure and change my watch battery).

Basically, if you find the thought of an oriental I Love Lucy fan amazingly wacky and satirical, or think that a swollen tongue gag is good enough to endure a 2 hour sitting, then this may be the film of your life.

Otherwise, if you have a free afternoon and a maintenance job to keep your hands occupied (if you don’t do manicures, maybe you have to organise your work or fold your socks?), then this is the perfect accompaniment.

Great family fun movie. great funny conedy with plenty of laughs and action. one of the best comedies out since Dumb & Dumber! a must-see for the family and comedy genre fans with an all-star cast including Rowan Atkinson (Johnny English, Mr. Bean), John Cleese (Die Another Day, Faulty Towers), Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act), Seth Green (Austin Powers trilogy), Brecken Meyer (Road Trip) and Amy Smart (Road Trip).