Bio-Dome (1996)

5% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(95,674 ratings)

The "slobs versus snobs" formula of lowbrow comedy gets a twist in this mindless Pauly Shore vehicle that pits slobs against scientists. Shore plays Bud Macintosh, a Tucson, Arizona, slacker and junior college student. Bud and his best pal Doyle Johnson (Stephen Baldwin), have just suffered the… More The "slobs versus snobs" formula of lowbrow comedy gets a twist in this mindless Pauly Shore vehicle that pits slobs against scientists. Shore plays Bud Macintosh, a Tucson, Arizona, slacker and junior college student. Bud and his best pal Doyle Johnson (Stephen Baldwin), have just suffered the humiliation of being dumped by their girlfriends when they stumble into what they think is a new mall. However, the facility is a scientific research laboratory known as a bio-dome, a self-sustaining habitat in which five scientists, led by Dr. Noah Faulkner (William Atherton), are to conduct experiments. The catch is that the bio-dome has just been sealed for a year and cannot be opened. As their twelve months pass, Bud and Doyle with their amorous behavior and toilet humor are a constant source of irritation and annoyance to the legitimate residents, but they find romance and eventually get an unexpected chance to prove themselves. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Jason Bloom
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 12, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Apr 16, 2002

Critic Reviews

John Anderson, Los Angeles Times
Despite the advances humankind has made since dragging itself out of the primordial ooze, Shore is a successful comedian.
, Entertainment Weekly
Even with the low expectations any reasonable viewer brings to a Shore flick, this rates only stupid-plus.
Leonard Klady, Variety
It's not by any means inspired madness.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Inept in almost every respect.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
America faces the very real prospect that Pauly Shore is the most annoying comic alive.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
A spoof of eco-consciousness starring one-man toxic spill Pauly Shore.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
All told, it's precisely what you'd expect -- which means you'd be well-advised to wait for the video.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
It's good for one reason: it killed Pauly Shore's career.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Can there even BE a "low point" to Pauly Shore's career?
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Could possibly be the worst Hollywood movie I've ever seen.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
Film school grad Jason Bloom makes his directing debut, but his inexperience shows.
Craig Marine, San Francisco Examiner
If you must rent it, at least wait for a half-price night.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Bio-Dome is one of the last "major" films starring Pauly Shore, and it's no secret as to why he faded after this piece of trash. When Pauly Shore first started out, he did bring a few laughs. Encino Man and Son in Law were decent comedies. After that, Pauly became so… More
Bio-Dome is one of the last "major" films starring Pauly Shore, and it's no secret as to why he faded after this piece of trash. When Pauly Shore first started out, he did bring a few laughs. Encino Man and Son in Law were decent comedies. After that, Pauly became so repetitive and unfunny so fast that it's no wonder that he's in the where are they now file. This film is stupid, dimwitted, excrutiatingly painful to watch. Bio-Dome is a poorly made comedy with no laughs whatsoever, there's only one chuckle to be had in the film. The film insults the intellect and has nothing good whatsoever going on to interest the viewer. The film sucks, the characters terrible, and worst, some good talent chose to be in this film. Signing on to do a Pauly Shore film is the nail in the coffin to many up and coming actors. Just look at Stephen Baldwin, this film ended his career. Bio-Dome is the perfect example of a film that should've never been made in the first place. The film misses the mark on so many levels and can only be described as a really bad comedy and film overall. This film sucks. It's no wonder why Pauly Shore's career went downhill from here. There's only so much one can do, and his gimmick became old after two films. Avoid this film.
Tim S

Cute but I'll pass on seconds.
Curtis L

ahhhhh pauly shore.
danny d

classic comedy, back when these two guys were both funny
Jason S

Dumb
Leigh R

HILARIOUS!
Sean N

WTF? So far as I've heard, this was supposed to be a 'Bill and Ted' sequel at first. I would've taken that over this. I'm sorry, but this movie is one that is just plain stupid (not even smart). The humor does not do much for this bomb of a movie and you know… More
WTF? So far as I've heard, this was supposed to be a 'Bill and Ted' sequel at first. I would've taken that over this. I'm sorry, but this movie is one that is just plain stupid (not even smart). The humor does not do much for this bomb of a movie and you know why, because the humor sucks. The reason why duo films like Wayne's World and Bill and Ted succeed is that while they may seem stupid, they are well written. Biodome is the exact opposite of that. I'm sorry, but Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin are one of the worst comedy duo's ever. I guess it's good as a stoner movie, as everyone says, but if you are a regular guy watching this, you would be sick to your stomach afterwards.
Deb S

Bud and Doyle are so stupid and yet so funny. They are like a juvenile version of Harry and Lloyd from "Dumb and Dumber", if that helps any.
Yinalí R

I absolutely loved this movie!
Lord N

Read it at my blog http://lordnasebyblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-review-of-bio-dome.html or here on RT. watched at the request of Irukandji I have several films on a sticky note next to my computer that are my 'watch these next' films. Irukandji's… More
Read it at my blog http://lordnasebyblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-review-of-bio-dome.html or here on RT. watched at the request of Irukandji I have several films on a sticky note next to my computer that are my 'watch these next' films. Irukandji's suggestion put it on the list and the all powerful rules of the coin toss beat out other films like The Professional and The Elephant Man. Acting/characters: Let me start by saying that William Atherton plays the same friggin role that he does in every film that I have seen him in. Ghostbusters, Die Hard 1 and 2, and now Bio-Dome. yeah. Same role. Plus (and this just kills me) This is was the next major role for Stephen Baldwin after (are you ready for this? I wasn't) The Usual Suspects. He goes from playing McManus in The Usual Suspects to this. That makes me sad. The acting was overall over the top and more than a little stupid but that is what they were aiming for. Still, the characters got quite annoying by the end. Before that to be honest. Baldwin was so great in The Usual Suspects and he was so bad in this. From what I understand, this is the normal quality level for Pauly Shore. It was entertaining at first but overall weak. 2/10 Plot: More or less predictable. It was as over-the-top as the rest of the film. It started out okay but then it just got really really stupid. Plus, IT WAS PREACHY!!!! It wasn't as bad as some such as The Day After Tomorrow or The Happening, but it was still pretty bad. That always kills a film for me. It was a plot that fit what they were trying to go for. 2.5/10 Screenplay: You know, there were a couple lines in the beginning that I found myself laughing at. That was about it. It got boring and repetitive very fast and I found myself thinking "Okay, I get it, they're stupid people who say stupid things and when they try to be smart they're still stupid." It wasn't anything I particularly enjoyed by the end. It was stupid for the sake of being stupid and that only works for so long. Plus it was preachy. 1/10 Likableness: Pretty much what I said in the 'screenplay' section holds true for the overall likableness for the film: It's stupid for the sake of being stupid and it only works for so long. It was only 94 minutes long but I wish it had been shorter or that they had at least tried a few different things with it. Other than that, it was a good shutdown movie. It's the kind of film you watch with a bunch of buddies and laugh at. It succeeds in that very well. 3.5/10 Final Score: 9/40 22% (S) TRIVIA TIME: This film is one of the film credits of Patricia Hearst Granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst (whom the film Citizen Kane is loosley based off of), and daughter of Randolph Hearst. On February 4, 1974 she was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and held captive for over two months in cramped studio apartment #6 at 1827 Golden Gate Avenue near the University of San Francisco. She changed her name to 'Tania' when she was kidnapped and brainwashed by the Symbionese Liberation Army and experienced Stockholm Syndrome. Her part in the armed robbery of the Hibernia Bank (now a Bank of America branch) took place at 1450 Noriega Street in San Francisco's Sunset District. She was finally arrested in San Francisco at 625 Morse Street, not far from the Cow Palace. Her defense attorney would be F. Lee Bailey who, by many accounts, lost the case because he permitted his client to take the stand. President Clinton gave her a presidential pardon as his last act in office. 2. Kylie Minogue called this film her "worst career move". She said that it is the only thing she has done in her professional life that her father ridicules her for.
Jonny C

One of the worst movies I've ever seen. Stephen Baldwin's is probably the worst actor of all time, as this movie backs that statement up.
Timothy O

I'm so glad they don't give Pauly Shore anymore money to make movies.
Aurelius D

The climax of Pauly's career. Undeniable comedic chemistry between Pauly and Stephen. I certainly can't see Stephen as anything but a pot head before or after this movie. They break into an eco bubble which was apparently a popular thing back in the 90's. The story is… More
The climax of Pauly's career. Undeniable comedic chemistry between Pauly and Stephen. I certainly can't see Stephen as anything but a pot head before or after this movie. They break into an eco bubble which was apparently a popular thing back in the 90's. The story is nothing unique and the plot devices are obvious but a fun watch none the less.
Lee K

three words for ya....piece of crap need i say more
Leo L

Very funny! Loved the music.