Stallone is funnier than THIS
SpookyChick | in tha' world! | 05/14/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Let's get something straight, my pee-peeing fans: Stallone was NOT trying to follow in Arnold's footsteps with his comedies of the early '90s. He was RETURNING to a genre that he dabbled in before Arnie became known as a comedic screen presence. Remember 1984's "Rhinestone"? That was a genuinely funny musical-comedy that Stallone co-wrote. Why did it bomb at the box office? Your guess is as good as mine - I think that the critical buzz (which was bad) helped kill the film. But that's beside the point, which is that Sly had already proven comedic acting chops well in advance of "Stop or My Mom Will Shoot" and the previous year's farcical "Oscar."
Another myth to dispel: people claim that this movie was a commercial failure. Not true, dear readers. While it may have only grossed $28 million domestically (which is actually around the 40 million mark when adjusted for inflation), this rather modestly-budgeted film was a considerable money-maker internationally (which was where Mr. Stallone's bread was buttered for most of the '90s). Why did it do middling box office here in the states? Honestly, the pairing of Sly and 'Golden Girl'Estelle Getty - though comedically inspired and full of potential - was not smart demographically speaking. How many Sly's action fanbase were going to take something like this seriously? Conversely, how many grannies (i.e. the majority of 'Golden Girls' fans) were going to go see a loud, brash action-comedy (featuring a certain amount of violence and bad language)? Neither of the stars' fanbase were on board.
So what does that leave us with? A strangely unengaging hybrid - most of the jokes fall flat, and most of the action sequences feel generic and TV-movieish. Yes, you'll laugh at the sight of Sly in a diaper (during a nightmare sequence) but you'll groan at the sight of Estelle trying to wash her son's gun with standard household cleaning products. One great line: Estelle's infamous one-liner to her son: "Go ahead - make your bed."
The DVD is surprisingly robust, all things considered. The movie is presented in a very attractive widescreen transfer, along with a couple of bonus features. There is a short - but very entertaining - behind-the-scenes featurette. Yes, it's a fairly typical EPK puff piece, but there is some amusing footage of Getty and Stallone clowning together. Also included is an intriguing alternate ending. I say intriguing because it is clearly taken from an even longer sequence of deleted scenes (not included on the dvd), since on it's own it barely makes any sense. Still interesting to see, because the third act of this movie apparently was originally much different (and more action-oriented). I only wish that more deleted footage had been included."
...Stallone and Getty's chemistry is the worst since Stallon
S. Sarhan | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 01/30/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot is a comedy directed by Roger Spottiswoode (Turner And Hooch) and starring Sylvester Stallone (Rocky), Estelle Getty (TV sitcom The Golden Girls), and JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist).
Stallone plays Joey Bomowski, an LA cop who gets a surprise visit from his mother Tutti, played by Getty. She's in town to clean up Joey's house, clean up his crumbling love life with his boss Gwen, played by Williams, and clean up the city as she partners up with her son to catch some bad guys who were involved in a crime that she is the only witness to. Joey, on the other hand, must deal with his mother showing everybody she meets his baby pictures, washing his gun with water and soap, and feeding him breakfast (the most important meal of the day!)
The movie is silly but mildly entertaining. Getty and Stallone's onscreen chemistry is the worst since Dolly Parton and Stallone's duet performance in Rhinestone. However, the film manages to pull some funny moments that you can't resist but laugh to.
Not really recommended
C"
A good decent comedy
J. B | 08/05/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This movie was funny, I had a tainted opinion aswell as prior to watching it I read alot of reviews saying how bad it was. It's not half bad at all! You've got to remember this movie is now 15 years old, and although a typical comedy for the time it still has a lot of good laughs and a funny story line. Stallone's dream where he's in the diapers is just hilarous..."
Winner of Three Razzie Awards!
Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 11/13/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Sylvester Stallone had an alternate title for this sitcom drivel masquerading as a feature film: "Dial M for Mother." That alone is funnier than anything that happens in this truly embarrassing action-comedy. Everyone has seen better days, especially Roger Spottiswoode (who directed the 1983 political drama "Under Fire"). In recent interviews, Stallone ranked "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot" as his all-time worst movie. The competition must have been intense."