Death to Smoochy (2002)

by Rizzy

I first rented this on a bad movie night with my good friend Lindz. We also rented that Britney Spears' movie Crossroads that night... yes, I just admitted that. This movie was meant to even out the other... make us feel like we got our $3 worth of money between the two. I may not be able to get the hours of my life I spent watching Crossroads, but we both felt we more than got our money's worth of that night.

This movie is filled with top notch acting.  A list of some of the actors? Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, Danny DeVito, Jon Stewart, Danny Woodburn, and Harvey Fierstein. What's better than the acting? The awesome roles the actors are in! Sheldon Mopes (aka Smoochy the Rhino pictured above) is this overly straight edged mascot who really wants to make a difference in the world and he's surrounded by a very eclectic group: charity heads who act more like Mobsters, kiddie host groupies, soulless executives who see children as wallets with pig tails and corrupt kiddie hosts willing to do anything to bring him down. It's a dark twisted world that Smoochy is looking to fix, but he's determined not to sell out!!

The costumes in this film are really so beyond awesome as are the different settings for the shows.  You really believe that these are potential real shows that would be beyond popular on television. The songs that they have for them too are so sugary sweet that you have to love them as well.

Robin Williams does an amazing job as Rainbow Randolph a fallen kiddie host who desperately wants his old time slot back and all the fame and power that came with it. As he plots to dethrone Smoochy from the kids network crown he only finds himself falling father and farther. Seriously, possibly my favorite role of his ever, worth watching the entire film just for Robin Williams's acting!

As an employee of Swansons Health Products, I've got to admit that I absolutely love how much they push healthy life styles in the film.  It's so fun to hear them talk about spirulina, almond butter and an array of other products that I've become acquainted with since I began my career in the natural health world.  Any other health freaks out there will really appreciate this as well and those of you who aren't will appreciate how it adds an extra amount of purity to Smoochy's character.  Here's a guy who refuses to promote eating large amounts of sugar to kids, but instead encourages them to eat organic foods. Talk about role model to the next level!!

The plot of this film is really what makes it. It's filled with so much flavor and so many quirks. Here is where they find Smoochy, singing to drug addicts who are half asleep... adults. Trying to save them.  Dressed like that. True story! Each scene really adds a lot to the absurdity of the situation. It's one of those films that is constantly trying to top itself. In this case, it's one of those films that succeeds without losing direction.

This is a comedy, but it is on the dark side. I mean it is called Death to Smoochy and is about the corruption of children's entertainment! So if you aren't a fan of black comedies the I would definitely avoid this film.  If they are your favorite? Then I'd go out and rent this immediately. In all honesty?  I rented this film because Smoochy reminded me of Barney and I was all about any film that would vicariously let me watch the death of Barney. I had no idea how much love I'd end up having for this film. Seriously, one of my favorites.

So, this review got a bit long, but to sum things up: I'd really recommend checking this movie out if you either hated Barney as much as I did or love black comedies as much as I do.  It's an odd film, but definitely one worth at least once watch... though I must warn you one watch is likely going to lead to wanting to own it. Don't say I didn't warn you!!