In order to get to the bottom of this kidnapping that affects Passamaquoddy, we thought we’d bring in the best private detective in the world. But since he is currently yodeling on AMERICA’s GOT TALENT, we’ve had to settle for someone else. Upon his arrival he required that we watch a film based on his life, but due to a mix-up at the video store we ended up watching…

This film is a curious one for the Disney organization. It was obviously supposed to cash in on the success of BATMAN and Disney was willing to dump a lot of dough into the picture. With an all star cast and tremendous production values, the 1990 film remains a visual feast. After a series of directors, Warren Beatty helmed the film only after he was allowed to play the titular character. He brought to the film a primary color palette that matched the Sunday paper comic strip. Eighteen years later, the film retains its powerful vision and a rewarding musical score teaming Stephen Sondheim and Danny Elfman.

Unfortunately, the story is based on an old comic strip of which many are familiar but few are diehard fans. What it delivered aesthetically didn’t result in an enrolling story. It feels intentionally ‘primary color by numbers’, a predictability that dates the film.

The film made a nice chunk of change, but it didn’t become the franchise that Disney had hoped, even after devoting an entire street of its brand new MGM Studios back lot tour to the film as well as a musical stage production.

Beatty does a nice job as the uptight Tracy, allowing the multitude of heavily madeup costars to have their moment in the primary color sun. Al Pacino takes the cake and chews the remainder of the scenery as the villainous Big Boy. Other appear like James Caan, Dick Van Dyke, James Tolkan, Charles Fleischer, Mandy Patinkin and a plethora of supporting actors from every decade of American film.

One of the most surreal elements of the film involved the casting of Beatty’s one-time girlfriend Madonna. Their onscreen scenes reflect their off screen relationship and are often risqué, especially for a Disney film. At least they released it under its Touchstone label.

I really enjoy checking out these films years after their release to see how my initial thoughts stand up away from all the hype, both positive and negative.