Not getting fair treatment by many critics, "The 'Burbs" is actually a rather crafty comedy that brings many fine actors (Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Gale Gordon, Rick Ducommon, Corey Feldman) to the big screen who makes this film a delight. It's wholly unusual because it takes place in a little street in the suburban and the neighbors have their interestingly peculiar details about themselves (Bruce Dern is an eccentric Vietnam Vet, Gale Gordon is an old guy with a dog that feces on Dern's lawn, Rick Ducommon is the incredibly annoying neighbor, Corey Feldman is a goofy teenager who invites his friends over to watch the neighbors). One day, they notice that Gale Gordon has disappeared and they somehow get this peculiar idea that a mysterious family who lives in a creepy old house murdered him. So they do all sorts of things in order to find out where the body is hidden. The best thing about this film is that these grown people have immature minds and the actors play it so well that it's downright enjoyable. I can see why some critics hated it, however. They probably looked at the disastrously uneven plot and found the actors more irritating than enjoyable. However, I won't change my perspective; I like it!
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Starring:
Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore, Courtney Gains, Gale Gordon, Dick Miller, Robert Picardo
Directed by:
Joe Dante
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1989 horror/comedy
Rated PG.
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Don Ignacio's score: B