Featured Audience Ratings

• Alexander D

  
  Clearly, this isn't the most realistic story ever told. Opening up, the film seems almost serious, a description that very rarely fits its creators. Come fifteen minutes, it's as if we've just opened up Pandora's box. Everything is hectic and bizarre, dare I say… More
  Clearly, this isn't the most realistic story ever told. Opening up, the film seems almost serious, a description that very rarely fits its creators. Come fifteen minutes, it's as if we've just opened up Pandora's box. Everything is hectic and bizarre, dare I say enough that such latter works as Fargo and The Big Lebowski appear contained, bright walks in the park. Additionally, pacing is just about nonexistent, and the slight formula the Coens frequently use to craft subplots is somewhat identifiable, but only a skeptic would dare tear apart the film for these flaws. We're not looking at a David Lean or Cecil B. DeMille epic that aspires to do nothing but change the world. A believer would merely accept it at that and enjoy the maniacally well executed fun.

• Lucas M

  
  One of the most criative and entertaining Coen's brothers film.

• Graham J

  
  Though I'm not as much of a fan of this as most Coen Bros. fans, there's no denying the great lead performances and the creative nature of this slapstick comedy.

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Narratively flimsy and chaotic, but boasting an original idea with comedic potential, that at times works and at other times doesn't, Raising Arizona is for me, the weakest Coen Brothers comedy. But… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Narratively flimsy and chaotic, but boasting an original idea with comedic potential, that at times works and at other times doesn't, Raising Arizona is for me, the weakest Coen Brothers comedy. But believe me, that's really saying something considering their extraordinary career. However what ultimately makes the film work is it's sense of emotional involvement, it's warmth and it's surprisingly good performance from Nicolas Cage. Everyone drops the ball at least once in their film making careeer, but the Coen's didn't go down with a bang. I'm a big fan of the Coen's, but I think this is my least favourite movie of theirs. That said, I dont think it's as gut bustingly hilarious as everyone says it is, but the great cast featuring Holly Hunter and John Goodman make up for it's expectedly massive amount of plot holes and inconsistent laughs, but albeit that, they still existed. Although the Coen's have significantly proven with comedies like Fargo and The Big Lebowski that they can write much funnier material than this.

• Manu G

  
  Their lawless years are behind them. Their child-rearing years lay ahead... Good movie! The Coen Brothers first "masterpiece" black comedy was a 1987 surprise hit that raised the bar in the comedy genre. Future Academy Award winners Cage and Hunter star in what may be one… More
  Their lawless years are behind them. Their child-rearing years lay ahead... Good movie! The Coen Brothers first "masterpiece" black comedy was a 1987 surprise hit that raised the bar in the comedy genre. Future Academy Award winners Cage and Hunter star in what may be one of the most original stories ever to come out of Arizona. Goodman shows the world he can be funny as the misunderstood and somewhat crazy escaped convict. Cage and Hunter have so much love to give, they steal a baby from Mr. Arizona himself. A modern day (80's) fantasy that chooses an interesting setting to tell its tale. The hilarious innocence is non-stop as Raising Arizona showcases relationship, friendship, vanity, ignorance, and the search for peace and forgiveness. Recidivist hold-up man H.I. McDonnough and police woman Edwina marry, only to discover they are unable to conceive a child. Desperate for a baby, the pair decide to kidnap one of the quintuplets of furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona. The McDonnoughs try to keep their crime secret, while friends, co-workers and a feral bounty hunter look to use Nathan Jr. for their own purposes.

• Melvin W

  
  H.I.: Biology and the prejudices of others conspired to keep us childless.  "A Comedy Beyond Belief" I just watched Raising Arizona for the second time and I have to say, I like it much more the second time around. The craziness of the Coen script makes for a great… More
  H.I.: Biology and the prejudices of others conspired to keep us childless.  "A Comedy Beyond Belief" I just watched Raising Arizona for the second time and I have to say, I like it much more the second time around. The craziness of the Coen script makes for a great re-watchability factor. This was also the first Coen comedy, and one that brought with it many marriages. It isn't my favorite Coen film. Not even close. But it is a so dumb it's smart movie. The Coen's are pure genius and that's all that is on display here. A couple composed of an ex-con and a cop find out they can't have children. When adoption doesn't work either, they come up with a radical idea. They decide to take one of the Arizona quintuplets. They do so and live like a real family, until two of Hi's old buddies show up after breaking out of prison. The whole plot is rather wacky and the movie as a whole is so bizarre it's amazing. They've made better comedies since, like The Big Lebowski and The Hudsucker Proxy, but Raising Arizona is good sophomore effort from the Coen's.  Honestly, I just love watching Coen films. They're a certain amount of pleasure I take from watching their films, that I don't get from any other filmmaker. It may be the bizarre situations they come up with and randomly throw in throughout their plots. It may be characters that aren't cliches. It my be amazing production value that doesn't overshadow story. I just can't say enough about the Coen's.  If you want to see early Coen, but still good Coen, look no further. This was a foreshadowing of Miller's Crossing, Fargo, and all the rest of their masterpieces. I thought their career got off to a bit of a slow start with their debut, but this one rocketed it forward. The cast is splendid, and the Coen's make full use of them.

• Reid V

  
  Probably one of the best opening scenes ever put to celluloid. It is quirky, lovable, a fascinating study of the nature vs. nurture debate, and a clear indication that in the coming years the Coens would be a force to be reckoned with.

• xGary X

  
  A childless ex con and his wife abduct the baby of a local celebrity but things become complicated when his escaped prison buddies show up on their doorstep with a demonic bounty hunter on their tail. Raising Arizona is the closest the Coen brothers have come to straight comedy and it… More
  A childless ex con and his wife abduct the baby of a local celebrity but things become complicated when his escaped prison buddies show up on their doorstep with a demonic bounty hunter on their tail. Raising Arizona is the closest the Coen brothers have come to straight comedy and it has a lot of very funny moments, largely provided by the excellent supporting cast in the form of John Goodman's career criminal, Trey Wilson as the amusingly earthy Nathan Arizona and Sam MacMurray's hilariously awful family. It all seems a little slight compared to the more mature, sophisticated work the Coens have been responsible for since but there are plenty of laughs (the entire format of TV sitcom My Name Is Earl was pilfered from here) and it stands up as a fun offbeat comedy that makes great use of Nicolas Cage's talent for redneck comedy.

• KJ P

  
  This may not be a Coen Brothers masterpiece, but Raising Arizona definitely has more heart that a movie would normally be able to handle. From a dumb criminal to a paroled life changer, H.I. (Nicholas Cage) is out of prison as he is able to convince a police woman that he has changed.… More
  This may not be a Coen Brothers masterpiece, but Raising Arizona definitely has more heart that a movie would normally be able to handle. From a dumb criminal to a paroled life changer, H.I. (Nicholas Cage) is out of prison as he is able to convince a police woman that he has changed. They fall in love and hope to start a family, but things don't always work out the way they are planned. They cannot have a child of their own so they decide to steal one from a wealthy family who has recently had quintuplets. Most of the time, I feel bad for the family that the baby is stolen from which only makes it that much more awkward to laugh at as the criminals are on the loose. Nevertheless, it is wonderfully written, witty, and one hell of a fun ride. It may be hard to to watch at times, due to it's odd feeling, but Raising Arizona is undeniably great!

• Martin S

  
  It's a little wierd. But it's also a little funny. There was one scene that was really great...and the otheres are pretty okay. Nicolas Cage is pretty much pre-ass era...so he's allright. I totaly misunderstood the plot when I read it and thought it sounded like a fun… More
  It's a little wierd. But it's also a little funny. There was one scene that was really great...and the otheres are pretty okay. Nicolas Cage is pretty much pre-ass era...so he's allright. I totaly misunderstood the plot when I read it and thought it sounded like a fun movie. They should have made it like I read it.

• Steven C

  
  "Raising Arizona" is a Coen Brothers comedy. Therefore it's only goal is to show stupid people acting crazy. What makes this better than some of their other lighter films is the energy of the film. This is a great screwball comedy for the simple fact that it has a wacko… More
  "Raising Arizona" is a Coen Brothers comedy. Therefore it's only goal is to show stupid people acting crazy. What makes this better than some of their other lighter films is the energy of the film. This is a great screwball comedy for the simple fact that it has a wacko plot, wacko performances (Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman, Frances McDormand) and that ever moving camera. It's silly, it's fun and pretty darn crazy. (Something "Burn After Reading" can't say, that's for sure).

• Unknown H

  
  Old school classic black comedy at a reasonable level, you cannot deny that Raising Arizona isn't original.

• Jeff "

  
  Raising Arizona was one of the first Coen Brothers films that I saw along with Fargo. The film was recommended to me by my dad, and he told me it was one of the most bizarre comedies he's seen. He was right. Raising Arizona introduced me further to the Coens eccentric brand of… More
  Raising Arizona was one of the first Coen Brothers films that I saw along with Fargo. The film was recommended to me by my dad, and he told me it was one of the most bizarre comedies he's seen. He was right. Raising Arizona introduced me further to the Coens eccentric brand of humour. Not only that, but it gave me a taste for their wacky characters that tend to grace all their films. Raising Arizona is a hilarious film from start to finish. Right from it's yodeling opening credits to its finish, Raising Arizona is one of the most interesting, and original comedies in the genre. This is an overlooked film by the Coen Brother, and I don't understand why. The story, acting and pacing are all terrific. The film is flawless. It brings big laughs and its ridiculous story is something truly special. Also Raising Arizona is one of Nicholas Cage best films, after a certain period of time he would make more bad films than good. However in Raising Arizona, he really shines and gives one awesome performance. Raising Arizona is one of the finest earliest efforts from the Coen Brothers, and it made me have a biiger interest in their work. This is an overlooked film, that shouldn't be. Raising Arizona is a classic comedy with plenty of laughs and definitely some memorable moments. Every Coen Brothers fan should seek this one out for sure. A classic, and it shows their skills as great filmmakers.

• Thomas B

  
  Hilarious and scatterbrained but not my favourite Coen so far. Full review later.

• Kase V

  
  A fun performance from Cage and a fun film in all. If only it weren't so damn annoying at times. I don't know why. Coen Brothers display their comedy touch, but not to the greatest effects. Fun, but forgettable.

• Jim C

  
  Coens are film heroes

• AJ V

  
  I love this movie, it's my favourite Coen brothers film. The cast is perfect, it has a great combination of comedy and adventure, and the story is fantastic. I highly recommend it.

• Lewis C

  
  "If I'm as bad as you, what good are we? What good are we to each other? You and me's just a fool's paradise." I do enjoy it when the Coens get quirky. Raising Arizona isnt quite the homespun quirkiness of Fargo (which I loved), the paranoia-fueled… More
  "If I'm as bad as you, what good are we? What good are we to each other? You and me's just a fool's paradise." I do enjoy it when the Coens get quirky. Raising Arizona isnt quite the homespun quirkiness of Fargo (which I loved), the paranoia-fueled quirkiness of Burn After Reading (which I loved), the southern-fried quirkiness of 'O Brother Where Art Thou, or the combination of bowling and WTF-level awesomeness and quirkiness that was The Big Lebowski. But, it has more than enough of it's own unique brand of quirkiness to spare, and it's a pretty funny movie as a result. I'll admit that I'm not much of a Nick Cage fan, but in movies like this and Kick-Ass where he gets to be over-the-top and zany, I think it works. He and Holly Hunter are the stars of the movie, and there desire to have a child and their (mis)adventures when they get one, kept me interested the entire time. And they're balanced quite well by the supporting roles of John Goodman, Sam McMurray, Trey Wilson, and William Forsythe. Raising Arizona is unique in a way that Coen fans have come to expect, and while I don't put it the top of their work, I find it difficult to believe that many Coen fans will be disappointed by it. Check it out.

• Dan S

  
  A hilarious comedy featuring two great performances from Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter as a white trash couple who canâ??t conceive, and as a result elect to steal a baby from the mayor of Arizona after his wife has quintuplets. Cage really brings a lot to his character, and what… More
  A hilarious comedy featuring two great performances from Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter as a white trash couple who canâ??t conceive, and as a result elect to steal a baby from the mayor of Arizona after his wife has quintuplets. Cage really brings a lot to his character, and what entails after the kidnapping of the couple's "child" is one of the more hilarious chase scenes in film. This movie is not as good as the darkly comical Fargo, but it's up there, the Coens are masters of film-making, whatever the genre. This is one of the funniest films Iâ??ve seen in my lifetime, and it never grows tiring with each viewing.

• James A

  
  The scene with John Goodman and William Forsythe emerging from the ground is still one of my favorite scenes in movie history.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings