Almost Heroes (1998)

14% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(36,349 ratings)

Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman) directed this comedy about two hapless explorers -- hard-drinking trapper Bartholomew Hunt (the late Chris Farley in his last major role) and foppish Leslie Edwards (Matthew Perry) -- who lead an ill-fated 1804 expedition through the Pacific Northwest in a… More Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman) directed this comedy about two hapless explorers -- hard-drinking trapper Bartholomew Hunt (the late Chris Farley in his last major role) and foppish Leslie Edwards (Matthew Perry) -- who lead an ill-fated 1804 expedition through the Pacific Northwest in a hopeless, doomed effort to reach the Pacific Ocean before Lewis and Clark. Others joining their trek are French linguist Guy Fontenot (Eugene Levy), who is unable to decipher dialects of any Native American tribes; Spanish conquistador Hidalgo (Kevin Dunn), who seeks the Fountain of Youth; Fontenot's Indian mistress Shaquinna (Lisa Barbuscia); Bidwell (David Packer), who keeps losing parts of his body; oddball Pratt (Hamilton Camp); and Edwards' manservant Jonah (Bokeem Woodbine). Filmed on location in Northern California and the Big Bear region. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Christopher Guest
Written By: Mark Nutter, Tom Wolfe, Boyd Hale
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: May 29, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Aug 30, 2005
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com
A forgettable farce with no flavor...utterly flaccid and foolish. It wastes the comedic capabilities of Farley and Perry who deserve much better
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
The late Chris Farley's last stand
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
It's clear, his death notwithstanding, that Farley is the funniest thing about this silly piece of celluloid.
Gary Brown, Houston Community Newspapers
Pure, adulterated junk.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
It's not the funniest film I've ever seen, but Chris Farley sure cracked me up often in this flick.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A virtually laugh-free comedy that puts a sad end to the woefully lackluster screen career of a talented comic.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Considering that this is Chris Farley's last film role before he died, The film is a slight disappointment, but still manages to be entertaining and a decent comedy due to Farley's crazy antics. The film is a decent comedy that I see as a mindless comedic romp, which is what… More
Considering that this is Chris Farley's last film role before he died, The film is a slight disappointment, but still manages to be entertaining and a decent comedy due to Farley's crazy antics. The film is a decent comedy that I see as a mindless comedic romp, which is what Farley comedies really are. If you're looking for sophisticated, smart humor, then his films aren't for you. Almost Heroes is not the perfect swan song for Chris Farley, but it has enough laughs for you to be entertained. Farley fans will enjoy this one, and he was a good comedic actor who brought a whimsical act to his brand of humor which made him fun to watch. Chris Farley makes this somewhat ordinary film a watchable comedy. I enjoyed the film for what it was and I thought it had enough good funny elements to make it a decent comedy. The film is not perfect, but it manages to be mindless fun, which is really what this film is supposed to be. Expect your usual Chris Farley comedy, and that's what you'll get. The thing with Chris Farley is that he wasn't a comic genius, but he definitely made you laugh or smile. The film could have been much better, but it delivers good laughs that you'd expect from Chris Farley. Farley was underrated, and he was better at delivering laughs compared to Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider. If you want a decent comedy that will make you laugh, then this is the perfect film to watch. Although not one of Farley's best, this film still has everything you'd expect from Chris Farley who is underrated and doesn't deserve the flack he has received. Sadly this was his last film before he died, and his potential remains unknown, but what he did in the years he made us laugh was probably just a small taste of what was to come.
Lucas M

Chris Farley deserve a better last movie.
Lorenzo v

"Almost History... Almost Legends... Mostly Ridiculous." A road comedy about 2 guys whose mission is to beat Lewis and Clark. <center>"Almost History... Almost Legends... Mostly Ridiculous." A road comedy about 2 guys whose mission is to beat Lewis and Clark. <center>REVIEW</center> Despite it's bad reputation, this comedy about fancy-pants Army officer Matthew Perry and rowdy mountain man Chris Farley's attempt to upstage Lewis and Clark by beating them to the Pacific Ocean is amiable and a whole lot of fun for fans of Farley and Perry's well worn comedic alter-egos. Not all of the jokes hit their mark but enough of them do and the story is a fairly interesting one. It's sad to say that Farley's hard-living ways really shows through in his performance, especially during his blustery outbursts. Certainly this is the strangest film ever to come out of executive producer Ted Turner's fascination with American history, unless you count the Turner Home Video distributed Civil War horror tale, Ghost Brigade.
Alexis N

..almost good.
Coxxie M

i am completely unable to dislike a chris farley movie. even if it sucks. its just not in me. and i KNOW this one sucks.
Curtis L

Okay.
Ross C

Terribly unfunny comedy about two adventurers' travels to the American Pacific coast in 1804.
Bryan D

Christopher Guest directs one of Chris Farley's last films. As a comedy, there are some really good laugh out loud moments. You will have to seriously suspend some of your disbelief to get engrossed in this story, but most comedies are extreme exaggerations of reality anyway.… More
Christopher Guest directs one of Chris Farley's last films. As a comedy, there are some really good laugh out loud moments. You will have to seriously suspend some of your disbelief to get engrossed in this story, but most comedies are extreme exaggerations of reality anyway. Matthew Perry is hilarious, and holds his own along side Farley. Eugene Levy and Kevin Dunn are fantastic in their roles. But once in a while the comedy goes a little over into the ridiculous side, and it takes you out of it a bit. But overall, the film is good. But not exactly deserving as the great Chris Farley's last hoorah.
Sarah P

Yeah, it's a dumb movie, however you can't help but laugh. It's Chris Farley for cryin' out loud!!