Trading Places (1983) DVD Reviews

Starring	Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Denholm Elliott
Director	John Landis
Genres	Comedy

Critics' reviews (6) of Trading Places
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This blatant, unacknowledged reworking of The Prince and the Pauper is a rattling comedy showcase for the unique talents of Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, who have never recaptured the form shown here. However, there is no question that the acting honours go to veterans Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, as the mischievous business bigwigs whose wager brings about the respective rise and fall of the stars. Director John Landis tends to pull his satirical punches against yuppiedom, and it's a shame he settles for a brash slapstick finale after so many fresh, immaculately timed comic situations, but this remains very entertaining.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Surprisingly witty comedy, which while not aspiring to great heights, and marred by a few excesses, brought a refreshing breath of air to a declining genre.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...Landis knows well the strength of his performers and unleashes them for delightful individual moments and wacky interaction..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Trading Places
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Semi-Classic 80's Comedy

What a great film this is. A classic John Landis (Ghostbusters) Film. One of those great comedy films of the 80's. Not perfect, but enjoyable to watch Eddie Murphy at his best, before his recent downfall. If you have not seen this then do. I can't think of anyone that would not enjoy it. If you have, then it might be worth a re-watch, because its probably been a long time.
- - B E Jones from London
  - Posted 11 Feb 2004 13:03
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Hilarious!

I love this film! One of Eddie Murphy's best when he was young and really out there...

I recall watching this film as a kid and laughing hard at the gags and growing up has not changed a thing. Don't catergorise this as a rags-to-riches spoof. This film presents a finger-on-the pulse sending up of 80s New York that had me rolling about on my seat.

Between then and now so many films have tried to recreate this magic and failed miserably. This is the real McCoy.

If you've not seen it add this to the top of your list. If you have seen it WATCH IT AGAIN!!!
- - Horus from London
  - Posted 05 Nov 2004 14:26
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Another Classic Film of the 80's

I must for re-watchers, and a great film for first timers to the film. Classic comedy, Great star cast. Not a perfectly directed film, but hey were any in the 80's? ;-)
- - Paul from Lancashire,UK
  - Posted 28 May 2004 16:45
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Trading Places
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Hilarious!

This is a hilarious movie, must see. Eddie Murphy is at his best, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis are great too. I saw it for the first time two months ago and am already looking forward to seeing it again.
- - A customer from London, England
  - Posted 27 Oct 2005 19:57
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Hilarious!

I love this film! One of Eddie Murphy's best when he was young and really out there...

I recall watching this film as a kid and laughing hard at the gags and growing up has not changed a thing. Don't catergorise this as a rags-to-riches spoof. This film presents a finger-on-the pulse sending up of 80s New York that had me rolling about on my seat.

Between then and now so many films have tried to recreate this magic and failed miserably. This is the real McCoy.

If you've not seen it add this to the top of your list. If you have seen it WATCH IT AGAIN!!!
- - Horus from London
  - Posted 05 Nov 2004 14:26

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Semi-Classic 80's Comedy

What a great film this is. A classic John Landis (Ghostbusters) Film. One of those great comedy films of the 80's. Not perfect, but enjoyable to watch Eddie Murphy at his best, before his recent downfall. If you have not seen this then do. I can't think of anyone that would not enjoy it. If you have, then it might be worth a re-watch, because its probably been a long time.
- - B E Jones from London
  - Posted 11 Feb 2004 13:03
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Hilarious!

I love this film! One of Eddie Murphy's best when he was young and really out there...

I recall watching this film as a kid and laughing hard at the gags and growing up has not changed a thing. Don't catergorise this as a rags-to-riches spoof. This film presents a finger-on-the pulse sending up of 80s New York that had me rolling about on my seat.

Between then and now so many films have tried to recreate this magic and failed miserably. This is the real McCoy.

If you've not seen it add this to the top of your list. If you have seen it WATCH IT AGAIN!!!
- - Horus from London
  - Posted 05 Nov 2004 14:26
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Another Classic Film of the 80's

I must for re-watchers, and a great film for first timers to the film. Classic comedy, Great star cast. Not a perfectly directed film, but hey were any in the 80's? ;-)
- - Paul from Lancashire,UK
  - Posted 28 May 2004 16:45
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

As the result of a bet between two wealthy commodities traders, the lifestyles of a street hustler (Eddie Murphy) and a blue-nosed employee (Dan Akroyd) of the brokerage are reversed. The innocent victims of the bet scramble to make it in their new foreign environments, with hysterical results. Once they discover the switch played on them, they set out to exact their comic revenge on the execs, played by the grand old actors Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche..
- - A customer from MANCHESTER
  - Posted 08 Sep 2004 13:07
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Funny Funny Funny....

Well here it is, another classic from the 80's!

A strong cast throughout and a decent plot - though the script does delve into stereotypes regularly - but that's what the 80's comedies were about, right?

Akroyd - cutting. Murphy - hilarious. And Jamie Lee strips off her top. What more could you need? Eggnog???
- - Care Wright from Leeds, England
  - Posted 14 Mar 2006 21:37
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

brilliant

Very Very Funny comedy well worth watching if only for jamie lee curtis's topless scene (wow!!).
- - A customer from scotland
  - Posted 31 Mar 2004 17:40
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

A very good film

I have seen this film before and enjoyed it more each time, good actors and charictors, well put together and very funny from start to finish, one of those films that keeps ones attention all the way through.
- - Pepe Rush from Pitsea Essex
  - Posted 18 Sep 2004 12:22
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Hilarious!

This is a hilarious movie, must see. Eddie Murphy is at his best, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis are great too. I saw it for the first time two months ago and am already looking forward to seeing it again.
- - A customer from London, England
  - Posted 27 Oct 2005 19:57
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Should be 6 Stars!

What an excellent film! Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Just so easy to watch (a few scenes which contained bad language) but all in all, a gem!
- - A customer from North Wales
  - Posted 11 Sep 2005 15:57
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Fantastic Laughter

Even though this is an old movie it was still a great laugh as there was never a dull moment. Really worth watching if you want to lighten your day after such a stressful day at work.

Not to give anything away but it's good to see that two ordinary people can get one over the rich big headed folk in this movie. It shows how you could lose anything in an instant when you take everything for granted. 100% laughter
- - BCLSLM from Nottinghamshire
  - Posted 17 Nov 2005 14:53

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Critics' reviews (6)
This blatant, unacknowledged reworking of The Prince and the Pauper is a rattling comedy showcase for the unique talents of Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, who have never recaptured the form shown here. However, there is no question that the acting honours go to veterans Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, as the mischievous business bigwigs whose wager brings about the respective rise and fall of the stars. Director John Landis tends to pull his satirical punches against yuppiedom, and it's a shame he settles for a brash slapstick finale after so many fresh, immaculately timed comic situations, but this remains very entertaining.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Surprisingly witty comedy, which while not aspiring to great heights, and marred by a few excesses, brought a refreshing breath of air to a declining genre.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...Landis knows well the strength of his performers and unleashes them for delightful individual moments and wacky interaction..."
- Variety
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
When two bastardly billionaire brothers, Duke and Duke of Duke & Duke Commodities Brokers (Bellamy, Ameche), have a one... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
"...Consummately slick entertainment....[Aykroyd and Murphy] work together deftly..."
- New York Times
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...Murphy makes a slick segue from hustler to Wall Street wizard..." -- Rating: B+
- Entertainment Weekly
- Posted 11 Mar 2005

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

- Trading Places - HD DVD Version
  
  As the result of a bet between two wealthy commodities traders, the lifestyles of a street hustler (Eddie Murphy) and a successful stockbroker (Dan Akroyd) are reversed. The innocent victims of the bet scramble to make it in their new foreign environments, with hysterical results. Once they ...

- - Buy
- Trading Places
  
  As the result of a bet between two wealthy commodities traders, the lifestyles of a street hustler (Eddie Murphy) and a blue-nosed employee (Dan Akroyd) of the brokerage are reversed. The innocent victims of the bet scramble to make it in their new foreign environments, with hysterical results. ...