Crimewave (1985)

48% of users liked it
(2,369 ratings)

In a slapstick spoof of hitmen and crime stories, the head of a security systems company (Hamid Dana) is bumped off by two gonzo exterminators (Brion James and Paul L. Smith) who have gone from stomping out pesky varmints to stomping out human targets, and one of them does so with gusto. Now the… More In a slapstick spoof of hitmen and crime stories, the head of a security systems company (Hamid Dana) is bumped off by two gonzo exterminators (Brion James and Paul L. Smith) who have gone from stomping out pesky varmints to stomping out human targets, and one of them does so with gusto. Now the exterminators go after the partner who hired them and his blatantly obnoxious wife (Louise Lasser) and in the meantime frame a poor security guard (Reed Birney) for the murder of the company boss. The tale is told in flashbacks, as the security guard has been tried and convicted and is shown at the beginning, about to be executed. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Written By: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Genres: Horror, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 25, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Apr 26, 2005

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Raimi exibe a mesma energia ensandecida de Evil Dead, arrancando algumas risadas justamente graças ao volume e ao histrionismo de sua direção (e também, em parte, em função do roteiro amalucado dos irmãos Coen).

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Written by The Coen Brothers, directed by Sam Raimi with a fantastic cast (particularly Bruce Campbell) = One of the best films ever made! A real cult classic that doesn't have the recognition it deserves!
El Hombre I

Brion James and Paul Smith are hysterical in this very bizarre, live-action cartoon. Bruce Campbell shows why he's the man from day one. Very interesting to see different aspects of this film that have become trademarks for director Sam Raimi and the Coen Bros as writers. The… More
Brion James and Paul Smith are hysterical in this very bizarre, live-action cartoon. Bruce Campbell shows why he's the man from day one. Very interesting to see different aspects of this film that have become trademarks for director Sam Raimi and the Coen Bros as writers. The hero is named Vic, so you can't go wrong there. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=crimewave2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/crimewave2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Ken S

Its...all over the place, but has moments of real brilliance. Spiderman 3 and this both share that fatal formula. The kid in the elevator though is fantastic!
Doctor S

In a word: wacky. Make that wackywackywacky! From start to finish, a manic, at times surrealist adventure chronicling one crazy night when a co-owner of a home-security business hires two psychotic exterminators to off his partner for selling him out. Neighbors, onlookers, and… More
In a word: wacky. Make that wackywackywacky! From start to finish, a manic, at times surrealist adventure chronicling one crazy night when a co-owner of a home-security business hires two psychotic exterminators to off his partner for selling him out. Neighbors, onlookers, and innocent bystanders all become involved in the mayhem with very broad, often cartoonish characterizations. Great camerawork and imagination with several laugh-out-loud moments (best: the final expression of Mr. Yarman.) Only a protracted car chase/cliffhanger bogs down the silliness. Not unlike an early Coen brothers comedy, and not at all surprising since they co-wrote the script with pal Sam Raimi directing one of his earliest films (which means a great role for smarmily handsome Bruce Campbell as a smug, slick-talking heel.) Five times more entertaining than Spider-Man for 1/50th the cost.
Anthony V

A great dark comedy collaboration between the Coen Brothers and Raimi.
Christopher B

Though everyone involved disowns this one, I loves it. It really shows Raimi and the Coens' raw and cheesy sense of humour when they are given free reign. Sure the film was stolen from Raimi in post, but I think the spirit does shine through. I liked this film very, very much,… More
Though everyone involved disowns this one, I loves it. It really shows Raimi and the Coens' raw and cheesy sense of humour when they are given free reign. Sure the film was stolen from Raimi in post, but I think the spirit does shine through. I liked this film very, very much, and am still a little surprised that it's not given a lot more respect.
Marion R

This movie is pretty bad. The movie lags, but there a a few enjoyable gags in there.