Looking for a film to watch on Netflix, we came across Absolutely Anything which looked like it could be fun.
Directed by Terry Jones of the Monty Python team and director of their classic films Monty Python and the Holy Grail; Life of Brian; Meaning of Life and other classics like Personal Services and Wind in the Willows.
The film concerns Neil, (Simon Pegg), a bored teacher living with his dog Dennis with a big crush on his neighbour Catherine (Kate Beckinsale)
We know he is bored as he is not enjoying his job as he keeps turning up late, much to the annoyance of the head teacher (Eddie Izzard), the only thing that seems to keep him going is getting money from his friend Ray (Sanjeev Bhaskar) to bet on the horses. He also spends his time at home, arguing with his neighbour Fiona (Meera Syal) about why he can keep Dennis!
Catherine, seems to also be having work and life problems of her own, having disagreements with her boss Fenella (Joanna Lumley) and thinking she will need to sleep with her associate (Robert Bathurst) if she is to get anyway further in the company. Making matters worse, her ex has arrived from America, Grant(Rob Riggle), he is still crazy about her, and not going to take no for an answer!
Little does Neil know, a message from earth has been picked up by a spacecraft full of crazy aliens (all voiced by the Pythons; John Cleese; Eric Idle; Michael Palin; Terry Gillian and Terry Jones)
The Aliens decide to test the human race by their usual test, choosing one person and giving them the power to do Absolutely Anything, based on that they make their decision on should they make contact or the normal, which involves destroying the planet! They choose Neil to represent earth!
The first thing Neil does not knowingly, is to wish a van driver (Cameo from Terry Jones) get screwed, after knocking him off his bicycle, causing the van to crash!
The fun begins from here, especially in the early stages, wishing the destruction of his class; Having Dennis clear up after himself; getting the perfect body; having destroyed paperwork reappear and avoid the police, after he sends his empty whisky bottle to refill itself!
Neil even helps Ray get Miss Pringle (Emma Pierson), the girl of his dreams. This is done by making Miss Pringle think Ray, is not only the man of the dreams but a god!
The best use of his power is when Neil gives Dennis the ability to talk (Robin Williams is hilarious as the biscuit obsessed voice of the dog)
Whilst all this is going on, Catherine has decided she should date a normal guy and makes her move for Neil
Luckily for him, this decision is made when his powers are halted by a malfunction to the aliens spaceship. Neil though believes it was his request to make Catherine see him that has made this happen!
Catherine, still not trusting of men, thanks to the experience with Grant, thinks Neil has another lover, in the form of the voice heard locked in another room, but we know it’s only Dennis after more biscuits!
Will Neil win the girl? Will Dennis get his biscuits? How far will Grant go to get Catherine back? Will aliens destroy earth.
This film at a running time of 85 minutes, is a great feel good, fun film and we highly recommend it. The cast are extremely likeable, Pegg follows his romcom performance from Man Up with another fun performance. Beckinsale is great as the girl of his dreams. Riggle is a lot of fun especially when he kidnaps Neil for his powers but the film belongs to Robin Williams, his scene-stealing dog voice shows what a sad loss he is from this world
Do you Prefer Pegg as the side kick from the likes of Star Trek and Mission Impossible or would you prefer to see him in more roles like this? What actor/actress would you like as the voice for your pets? We’d love to hear from you here at Barking Mad About Films
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