HomeMoviesBeverly Hills Ninja Retrospective: Purest Chris Farley Comedy Ever Made

Beverly Hills Ninja Retrospective: Purest Chris Farley Comedy Ever Made

Beverly Hills Ninja should not work as well as it does. Twenty-five years have passed since it was released in theaters on January 17, 1997, but the film still holds up well as a goofy, big-hearted piece of cinematic fluff packed with enough nonsense and goofy hijinks to tickle all but the most cynical funny bones.

It helps to have Chris Farley as your star, especially when dealing with a rather pedestrian script and a supporting cast that — save for Robin Shou and Chris Rock — offers no immediate support. Farley carried the meager $18 million production on his back like a champ, often relying more on pratfalls than cleverness, and somehow it all works.

MORE: Best of 2021: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Kept Gamers Busy All Year With Great Titles

Beverly Hills Ninja was Farley’s last high-profile release before his tragic death in December that same year and stands as the lone film in his oeuvre marketed on his name alone. While he would go on to star in Almost Heroes (alongside Matthew Perry) and cameo in Bob Saget’s Dirty Work (with Norm MacDonald) — both released after his death — Beverly Hills Ninja remains the last truly worthwhile Chris Farley film.

At the time, critics stuck up their noses at the film, while audiences mostly stayed away resulting in a modest $31.5 million box office haul. Too bad.

While Beverly Hills Ninja lacks the one-two punch of Farley’s superior offerings, Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, the comedy still features plenty of hilarity within its relatively brief 88-minute runtime to make it worthwhile, if only to fans of the late actor.

To start, the opening montage has Farley’s ninja-in-training character, Haru, attempting to keep up with his fellow mate Gobei. At one point he ends up accidentally hanging himself with a rope-like contraption in a scene that completely caught me off guard the first time I saw it … and left me in stitches. No, really. The opening scene of Beverly Hills Ninja killed me.

Later, Haru attempts to practice by himself and ends up smashing a bunch of mirrors and surprises himself by successfully tossing a throwing star. The thing about Farley’s brand of humor is that he could make even the most purposeful acts of chaos appear accidental. I imagine working with a guy like him, a director would need only shout, “Action!” and then wait to see the hilarity unfold.

Beverly Hills Ninja also features Chris Rock in a supporting role as a hotel worker in need of some ninja lessons. Haru obliges, but nearly skewers Gobei (who is shadowing his fellow ninja warrior if only to offer protection). Farley and Rock play off each other rather well, with the latter’s genuine amazement complimented by the former’s constant bewilderment at his own actions.

There’s also a series of “Plane of Enlightenment” sequences in which Haru communicates with his master via an out-of-body experience. Each bit escalates in terms of its insanity until Haru is quite literally being flung through windows. It’s stupid, but also pretty great.

MORE: Dune 4K Review: The Perfect Way to Watch Denis Villeneuve’s Adaptation

Finally, late in the film, Haru attempts to “guide” Chris Rock to the villains’ lair whilst wearing a blindfold. The duo winds up on a horse track and eventually through a car wash. Naturally, Haru loses his mind and attempts to fight what he believes are sea creatures.

Look, Beverly Hills Ninja isn’t high art. Its goofy fun is achieved via a shotgun-style approach, which means not all of it works. At times, the jokes get a little redundant and even slightly obnoxious, but that’s Chris Farley in a nutshell. You either love the guy or you don’t.

At any rate, Beverly Hills Ninja offers a small sample size of his extraordinary talent. After all these years, it remains perhaps the purest Chris Farley comedy ever made — it’s too bad we never got to see more.

Read The Full Article Here

Must Read

spot_img
Anne Hathaway’s Health: Her Miscarriage Revelation, Past Alcohol Habits &
Christine Quinn Has ‘Felt Unsafe for a While’ With Husband
Megan Fox And Machine Gun Kelly’s Relationship Is Reportedly “Very
Let’s Talk WOKEism And Princess Catherine!
Hiding From The Alien! Scene
‘Ahsoka’: Who Is the Sith Inquisitor?
BUTCHER’S CROSSING Trailer (NEW 2023)
The enduring joy of Dick Cavett’s Old Hollywood interviews
All the Celebrity Breakups of 2024 — So Far
‘NCIS’: Sean Murray Teases Easter Eggs in Franchise’s 1000th Episode
Freevee Has Excellent Live Channels
As Stephen Colbert Apologizes For Kate Middleton Jokes, Has The
Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “Rock VS Punk” On Tuesday January 23rd, 2024, 7 PM PT on Twitch
Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “Black & Blue” On Tuesday November 28th, 2023, 7 PM PT On Twitch
Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “Sharp Dressed Man” On Tuesday November 14th, 2023, 7 PM PT on Twitch
Baker Grace’s New Single “Painkiller” Available Friday, November 3rd, 2023 Worldwide
Simonetta Lein – Making A Positive Impact On The World
Rising MMA Sensation Bear Fiorda and UFC Veteran Jorge Masvidal Unite at L.A. Fashion Week, Bridging Past and Future
PSA: The M&S Boots That Fooled Everyone Into Thinking They’re
Jodie Turner-Smith Shuts Down the Red Carpet in Nothing but
Linda Blair Took on an Important Role in ‘The Exorcist:
DEAR DAVID Starring Augustus Prew, Andrea Bang, Rene Escobar Jr
THE HAUNTING LODGE From the creators of The House in
The Heartbreaking Case of Ingrid Lyne [Watch]
Olamide, Asake
Imagine Dragons
BNXN fka Buju, Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez
Ed Sheeran