The Adventures of Pluto Nash

Review by Clint Morris

Put Eddie Murphy in space, gave him a gun, a girl, some groove and Total Recall-like surroundings, and you'll not argue, it's an interesting concept.

But as out of the world as the idea for Ron Underwood's Pluto Nash may have been, on film it hardly resembles something an audience would want to see.

The good news about Pluto Nash is that it's a return to the kind of Eddie Murphy audiences lapped up in the Beverly Hills Cop movies - cheeky, chirpy, and capable of pulling off the leading man tag.

Murphy is a former convicted smuggler turned disco manager whose little slice of 'moon' life is pretty peachy - that is until the Mafia tries to force him out of business.

Without a hole to hide in, he joins forces with his loyal, but assertive robot Bruno (Randy Quaid) and a waitress Dina Lake (Rosario Dawson) to find out who the elusive kingpin behind his sudden misfortune is.

Sound alluring?

As much of a good idea as Pluto Nash might have been, it's execution is far less engaging. The first half of the movie - our introduction to life on the Moon, year 2087 - definitely has it's moments, but by the time the film turns into the tired "moonies on the run" farce about half way through, the audience's attention will be all be lost.

Unfortunately, good special effects, exciting actors and two or three good jokes do not make for good films these days - it's just a pity that memo didn't get to scribe Neil Cuthbert before he sharpened his pencil.

2.5 out of 5

The Adventures of Pluto Nash
Australian release: Thursday November 21
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Randy Quaid, Rosario Dawson, Peter Boyle, Illeana Douglas, Pam Grier, Jay Mohr, Joe Pantoliano, James Rebhorn.
Director: Ron Underwood
Website: Click here

Brought to you by MovieHole