amnesiac12001 This is probably the only film I've seen where the IMDb reviews on both sides of the spectrum are 100% accurate. "The Stupids" is an atrocious, dim-witted film with absolutely no artistic merit whatsoever, and is a denigration to a director like John Landis. And that's what makes it great.In order to appreciate "The Stupids", you have to keep in mind a little-known, but very true maxim spoken by director Abo Kyrou: "I urge you to learn to look at bad films, they are so often sublime." In order for any film to work, the film must establish and follow it's own logic, and if it does so convincingly and sincerely, then it's actually possible for the film to work. For example, when you watch "Freddy Got Fingered" as a traditional gross-out comedy, it's complete and utter garbage; when you watch it with the understanding that it's actually a neo-surrealist comedy, it's brilliant.It works with good movies too. If "Jaws" hadn't accepted the reality it created, the air-tank explosion ending wouldn't have worked. But, a lot of people think "Jaws" is vastly overrated for this type of reason, and they aren't wrong. But it has it's strengths, doesn't it? The point being that a movie like this makes sense if you look at it with the right perspective. Some people, like me, get it right away, while others never will no matter how often it's explained. Jim Jarmusch made a compelling defense of "Showgirls" once, and even afterwards I still can't see it from his P.O.V. Doesn't mean he's wrong though. If you have the right frame of mind when you watch this movie (and NO I DO NOT MEAN STONED, I'm gonna put that to bed right now), you can actually enjoy the movie for the dumb, cheap, pointless slapstick late-80s/early-90s-style farce that it is.The defenders and haters of this film are right: It's STUPID, and that's the point. The movie accepts the stupidity of the characters much in the same way "The Jerk" accepted Navin Johnson's idiocy. And because it takes that and runs with it, the movie focuses exclusively on using that to forward the plot and to define the characters. A "bad" movie would actually do this and fail to use that logic properly; bad movie are bad because they make it up as they go along, whereas movies like "The Stupids" knows where it's going, what it's doing and why from the beginning.I can't defend the film from an artistic standpoint, which is why I give it such a low rating. The acting is mostly bad, the jokes very superficial, and the live-action quality probably ruins what would have worked as a cartoon. But I can't deny that it IS entertaining in its own way, and that's why I defend it. I got it right away, and I pity those who don't.I'll admit I was drawn to this movie because of Christopher Lee's delicious cameo appearance (hearing him say "Release the drive bee!" would have been worth the rental price even if I hated this film), but was amazed to find that, aside from the TV Studio Applause Sign segment with Jenny McCarthy, I was never bored, and never disappointed. In fact, many of the jokes, because of their cartoonish context, were hilarious (in particular the airbag-cigarette explosion). They were dumb, but they were funny. And the movie doesn't pretend to be anything else: a STUPID comedy about STUPID characters and instead of apologizing for it, it enjoys itself.And that's exactly why it works.

RKerekes13-1 I absolutely find this movie to be very entertaining, funny, and full of great lines! Due to the mixed reviews and somewhat low ratings, I'd definitely consider this film to be a cult classic. Winning the Razzie Award for Worst Actor must have been a dream come true for Tom Arnold and he's sure at his best in this very movie! Possibly the best part in this movie is the song "I'm My Own Grandpaw", sung by Tom Arnold! The song is very nostalgic and funny! I don't care if this film wasn't well-received or if it grossed a reasonably small amount of money. I still love this movie, and for all those who are giving this film negative reviews, return your negative reviews to Sender! This film is one of the cult best!

QATARIAN_QUALE No, this movie is not artistic in any way whatsoever. No, the humor isn't all that clever. This movie is just silly, but that was what it was supposed to be in the first place.The basic value of a movie with characters that are completely clueless as to how the world works is that they can create unrealistic situations that are hilarious. Nobody would see a huge red switch, think it was a light switch, realize it doesn't turn on the lights, and keep trying it over and over again, accidentally turning on the "applause" light at a TV studio, but it's very funny to see the reaction of the stereotypical blond actress and the talk show host when the audience claps at inopportune moments. Furthermore, the imagined scene with Christopher Lee as Sender is simply brilliant. To see such a great villainous actor, star from the old Hammer films all the way up to Lord of the Rings, act so seriously as the sinister man plotting to steal the world's garbage is simply hilarious.Yes, very many of the scenes are weak, but they aren't so bad if you remember not to take this film seriously at all.

callanvass This is surprisingly very funny, it's just got that stupid bit of humor you can't help but love, Tom Arnold was great!. All the characters are very funny and wacky, and the story while bizarre is very good, plus the whole Stupid family was just awesome. OK there are a few misses, however you may find yourself chuckling throughout as I certainly was!, plus Christopher Lee has a wonderfully funny cameo as the evil Sender, as he was simply a delight. This should be at least around the 5.0 mark (or higher) and the finale has some moments that are just hilarious, plus Bug Hall(Buster Stupid) and Alex McKenna(Petunia) are surprisingly funny and very likable as the kids. Arnold and Petunia had good chemistry together, and one of my favorite moments in this is when Joan Stupid and the kids, think they have gone back in time into the Dinosaur ages, plus I think this is one of John Landis's most underrated films. It's pretty well made and written, and I was really surprised by how funny this was, plus the scene with the kids in the Chinese restaurant is also a scream. This is surprisingly very funny, it's just got that stupid bit of humor you can't help but love, Tom Arnold was great I highly recommend it. The Direction is very good. John Landis does a very good job here with good camera work and just keeping the film funny and at a fast pace. The Acting is a lot of fun!. Tom Arnold is the movie, I am not a fan of his, but he was wonderful here, as he cracked me up throughout, and didn't get on my nerves once, he also managed to play it straight!, which was a remarkable accomplishment, considering the goofy material, his chemistry with the kids and Jessica Lundy was also good!. Jessica Lundy is great as the wife, she was funny, and also managed to play it straight, her voice was also quite funny, I really liked her. Bug Hall is very funny as the son, and didn't annoy me at all, and he really seemed to be enjoying himself, I dug him. Alex McKenna is very good as the daughter, and also didn't annoy me, she also seemed to be having a fun time, it's also quite funny how hot she is now. Mark Metcalf is decent as the main villain and did his job adequately, but he wasn't all that menacing, then again he didn't really need to be. Matt Keeslar is good as the goofy Lt. I liked him. Christopher Lee is wonderful here! as the evil sender, he hammed it up big time and I absolutely loved it! (Lee Rules!!!). Frankie Faison has a great, funny cameo as The Lloyd. Rest of the cast do fine. Overall I highly recommend it. ***1/2 out of 5