Big Trouble (2002)

48% of critics liked it
(112 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(20,375 ratings)

Barry Sonnenfeld directs this kissing cousin of his own 1995 hit Get Shorty, a comic caper adapted by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone from the novel by newspaper humorist Dave Barry. When two New Jersey hitmen (Dennis Farina and Jack Kehler) show up in Miami to whack crooked businessman Arthur Herk… More Barry Sonnenfeld directs this kissing cousin of his own 1995 hit Get Shorty, a comic caper adapted by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone from the novel by newspaper humorist Dave Barry. When two New Jersey hitmen (Dennis Farina and Jack Kehler) show up in Miami to whack crooked businessman Arthur Herk (Stanley Tucci), they happen to creep into his backyard at the same time as Matt (Ben Foster), a high school kid with his own assassination plans. Only, Matt plans to use nothing heavier than a squirt gun on Jenny (Zooey Deschanel), Arthur's daughter, as part of a school-wide game of "killer." When the plans collide, mayhem ensues, and Matt's struggling ex-columnist dad (Tim Allen, loosely modeled on Barry), Arthur's bored wife (Rene Russo), and two confused police officers (Janeane Garofalo and Patrick Warburton) are also called to the scene. Shift to the next day and there's more craziness to follow. Two dimwitted petty criminals (Tom Sizemore and Johnny Knoxville) choose the exact moment Arthur is transacting a nuclear arms deal to hold up the dive bar where they're regulars, which is actually a front for the Russian mob. Soon the whole motley cast -- including an agreeable drifter (Jason Lee), a buxom maid (Sofia Vergara), and a pair of ruthless FBI agents (Heavy D and Omar Epps) -- are caught up in a hostage scenario in which the weapon accidentally gets brought aboard a hijacked plan. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld
Written By: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 5, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Oct 8, 2002
Studio: Touchstone Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
In this clumsy attempt to merge farce with satire, the jokes repeatedly miss the mark.
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Mostly ... Sonnenfeld mishandles the broad part of the comedic formula, preferring repetition to thematic development.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Because the tone is so light, so genial and eager to please, the whole enterprise seems the opposite of prescient. It seems naive, almost delusional.
Nick Rutigliano, Village Voice
Makes for distinctly uneasy viewing, as Big Trouble's massive subtext repeatedly threatens to overwhelm its haphazardly stylized diegesis.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... Big Trouble produces only a very few small chuckles.
Joe Leydon, Variety
Like an overloaded aircraft at that security-challenged airport, Big Trouble moves forward in fits and starts but never manages to achieve sufficient momentum for a smooth, satisfying liftoff.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Sharp, funny movie for high schoolers and up.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Faithful to the events in Barry's novel, lifts a good deal of his witty dialogue, and recruits a proven cast of laugh-winners. Why, then, is it so resolutely unfunny?
Vanessa Sibbald, Zap2it.com
The worst thing someone could say about "Big Trouble" is that it's too much like "Get Shorty," which is one of the best reasons to go see the film
James Rocchi, Netflix
Sprawling comedy has a few laughs in it -- and the specter of recent events hanging over it.
Tyler Hanley, Palo Alto Weekly
Director Barry Sonnenfeld unites an incredibly unique and charismatic ensemble cast for this witty adaptation of Dave Barry's 1998 novel.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
...a highly enjoyable romp that is as multi-faceted as it is tightly constructed.
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
Big Trouble is one of those great big silly capers that fails at juggling its dark humor while feeling cutesy in its ability to dance around the plot contrivances...derivative, offensive, stylish and smirky crime caper.
Gareth J. Von Kallenbach, Film Threat
Tim Allen is great in his role but never hogs the scenes from his fellow cast, as there are plenty of laughs and good lines for everyone in this comedy.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

very funny, jason lee steals the show
Leigh R

It was wild and crazy. Pretty funny but did get a little boring too.
Jason S

I liked it and thought the comedy was fresh and smart. The cast worked great and even some of the smaller parts were excellent.
Michael G

Better than I thought it would be.
James A

ALl over the place.
Joseph E

It is a wildy funny, and crazy suspense filled Action-Comedy..really enjoyable.
Nate H

Sadly overlooked, hilarious movie. Takes psychotic, funny characters and wraps them in the freneticness of Miami. Dave Barry.
Grifty G

Highest inverse ratio of jokes to laughs