The 1990s are often ranked among the very best decades for film, including for comedies.
This was the era ofOffice Space,Happy Gilmore, andGroundhog Day, among many others.
However, even a cinematic decade as storied as the ’90s had more than its fair share of duds.
Image via Touchstone Pictures
Plenty of comedies missed the mark, eliciting groans and eye rolls rather than laughs.
For everyWayne’s World, there was aGhost Dad(or three).
With this in mind, this list looks at the most egregious comedy misfires of that time.
Nielsens signature deadpan delivery is on display here once again, butSpy Hardnever reaches the heights ofThe Naked Gun.
The scattershot jokes and rapid-fire pacing mean some land while others fall flat.
The timing is sometimes off, and many of the gags feel recycled from other, better movies.
Then there’s the shoddy lip-syncing, mediocre puns, and tediously repetitive scenes.
It’s for individual viewers to decide whether this is meta and ironic or just goofy.
While there’s some decent satire sprinkled throughout, the filmmakers fail to build it on it properly.
Nevertheless, likeSpice World,Airheadsdoes have a small but devoted fanbase who are able to overlook the wrinkles.
We come in peace.
“Coneheadsis a literal example of an SNL sketch that could not sustain a full feature.
The screenplay is anemic, sadly giving the talented cast members little to work with.
Not even Aykyroyd could wring the humor out of it.
Even as a lightweight, disposable sequel,Weekend at Bernie’s IIstruggles to justify its existence.
Plus, some of the performances verge on self-parody, McCarthy’s most of all.
The premise alone is absurd, but the execution makes it even stranger.
Teddy’s personality isn’t much.
Finally, the humor is mostly slapstick and scatological.
The film relies on its characters' cluelessness for humor, but the gags quickly grow repetitive.
The gross-out wears out its welcome and becomes tedious.
Nevertheless,Landis has defended the movie, saying, “It’s meant for ten-year-olds.”
But even many viewers in that age range will be disappointed.
8’Bio-Dome' (1996)
Directed by Jason Bloom
Free mahi-mahi, dude!
On top of that,the humor here is thoroughly juvenile, and every idea is rushed and half-baked.
Some critics have even gone so far as to rank it among the very worst films of all time.
It’s all incredibly predictable, recycling ideas from countless better films.
Indeed, this movie is likeHome AlonemeetsKindergarten Cop, but directed byTommy Wiseau.
Its occasional commentary on gender dynamics is even more cringe-worthy.
All told,Mr.
Nannyis just weird and lame, not even offering much ironic watch value.
It’s just best avoided.
Its few decent moments are buried under an avalanche of anatomical jokes and toilet humor.
Again, it’s a film that can be safely skipped.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Image via New Line Cinema
Image via Amazon
Image via New Line Cinema
