Bedazzled (2000) Review:

Hollywood through the decades has been fairly consistent in how it makes movies. Or at least, the more recent decades so it seems. The usual complaint is that studios keep remaking films and rebooting franchises from the past. Whether this be just to hit people with nostalgia who know the original(s) already, or to introduce a new generation to the story, the tendency for them to be successful is very unlikely. No matter the case, it happens all the time. Perhaps what's more disappointing is when the end result is middle of the road. If it's good, it's something people will talk about. If it's bad, it's possible even more people will talk about it. However, for this film, it's just average, which makes it forgettable at best.

"See, it's nothing like George of the Jungle..."

The plot is about an insecure man by the name of Elliot Richards (Brendan Fraser) who tries to be friendly, but only comes across awkward to his co-workers Dan (Orlando Jones), Bob (Paul Adelstein), Jerry (Toby Huss) and Carol (Miriam Shor). One night after running in with them at a bar, Richards sees Alison (Frances O'Connor), a girl he is very interested in. When he realizes he will be avoided after he tries introducing himself, he asks god for "anything to have that girl in his life". This leads to the entrance of the Devil (Elizabeth Hurley), legitimately the devil. There Richards is given the proposition, to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for seven wishes of anything desires. Of course, that may come with some strings attached, of which Richards may not be thinking of.

Written by Peter Tolan (Analyze This (1999)), Larry Gelbart (Tootsie (1982)), and Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters (1984)), the script for this remake is nothing to be bedazzled over. The story itself is one that has been depicted before - the nerdy and ignored protagonist can't seem to cut a break. Only to find something that sounds better than it really is. Audiences enjoy seeing the underdog being given a chance at redemption. Here though, it seems all too easy to know the execution of the story. It's a story that tries to push boundaries by adding more sex appeal with the change in the devil's gender, but all it does is come across half invested. This is unfortunate seeing that Ramis also directed this movie.

Not to mention that this film draws similar parallels to that of another one of Ramis’ films from earlier, that being Groundhog Day (1993). While Fraser's character doesn't fumble over the same day again and again, he instead makes several wishes not realizing the impending side effects. This is majority of the comedic elements of the film. And while at times it produces a chuckle here and there, it is not that clever either. Sometimes the coincidences that occur throughout the story are truly just eye rolling. As the old saying goes, "what are the odds"? The odds are just about the same as Elliot Richards' colleagues also being by his side in every wish that he makes as well. What can be said is that the actors do try, with Fraser and Hurley doing their best with the material given.

Francis O'Connor

There's even appearances from Brian Doyle-Murray and Gabriel Casseus. The visuals are okay for the most part, but when CGI does get involved, it isn't very good looking. The cinematography shot by Bill Pope was competently handled. Being that Pope had also worked on Darkman (1990), Army of Darkness (1992) and The Matrix (1999), it's no surprise that his talent remains consistent here too. For music, the film score was composed by David Newman. However, since this is a comedy, much of the score is not audible as much of the comedic elements are replaced with other songs from other artists. Most notably Tone-Lōc's Wild Thing, which is the theme for Hurley's portrayal as the devil. Adequate, but lacks character.

As a remake is isn't bad, but it's not decent either. Coming from Harold Ramis, it would seem this would work out well. Instead, the music, special effects and execution of the plot is average. The plus side is, the actors do perform as best they can and the cinematography is well shot. But it’s not memorable.

Points Earned --> 5:10