****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Death to Smoochy was an underrated 2002 dark comedy about the seedy and corrupt underbelly of children's television. Directed by the always talented Danny Devito and sporting a great cast, the film infamously was a major box office flop and quickly forgotten. However, it became a cult classic and became a favorite of dark comedy fans mostly thanks to Robin Williams' insanity on screen as disgraced kids show host Rainbow Randolph. Edward Norton plays the dorky Smoochy perfectly, Katherine Kenner John Stewart, Harvey Fierstein, Devito and others deliver an insane laugh fest with everything from rocket cookies, Irish mobsters, "special" co-hosts, goose steppers, ice shows, sing-a-longs and smack addicts.Shout finally released this on BR as this only had one DVD release in the early 2000s. The movie was the middle chapter in Robin Williams famous dark trilogy sandwiched between Insomnia and One Hour Photo (though none of the movies are connected). The movie looks amazing with its restoration and Shout did its thing with cramming whatever extras in it. There are three new interviews though the only actor interviewed was Danny Woodburn who played Randloph's and Smoochy's side kick Angelo. The only other extras are old ones ripped right from the DVD release like audio commentary by Devito.Overall if you ever wanted to watch this hidden gem, this is the best way to watch out there. So if you love dark comedies, kids shows, or Robin Williams being unleashed you'll have a ball. Enjoy this with a loved one, sit back and remember that wonderful little Smoochy song "My stepdad is not mean, he's just adjusting".
