Have you ever sat down to watch a movie and then afterwards said to yourself “What the hell did I just Watch?” That is exactly what I did when I sat down to watch this film, JACK BROWN GENIUS. The film was co-written and executive produced by Academy Award winner and director of THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy, Peter Jackson though his studio, Wingnut films.

   The film is about an English monk, Elmer, who over a thousand years ago tried to fly off a tower. He did not make it and killed himself. Now his soul is doomed to Hell because, technically, he committed suicide. However, his soul has found a way out of Hell and has processed the brain of inventor Jack Brown. Jack has a few problems of his own. His boss is trying to take one of Jack's inventions to create a power source.  Nevertheless, with a push from the soul of Elmer, Jack is determined to invent a contraption that can make a man fly and by doing so, Jack and Elmer will both be free of their problems.

            I am not from New Zealand, which is where this film was made, so pardon my ignorance for not finding this film all that interesting and funny. I know many people consider this film to be somewhat of a cult hit, but I, for one, just really did not understand the overall concept of this film. For me, it was too weird, and boring. It had many undertones that reminded me of the Monty Python movies, but failed to be as funny. The script was odd and all over the place, although, at times, it did remind me sought of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, but it is nothing in comparison to the greatness of CUCKOO’S NEST.

           The film, made in 1996, really only got its push in Germany and Spain at first before finding its way onto video store shelves in other countries. Of course, it also did well in New Zealand and even won three New Zealand film and TV awards. The film's production values are nothing special and many of its visuals come off as nothing more than a cheap television effect that you might see on soap operas. The acting is all right, but nothing really worth mentioning, but the film does have a decent score.

            Overall, I really cannot give this film a good or bad review. I did not care for it, but I do not think I am the one to review a film such as this.  It is a film that really did not keep me interested all the way though. I found the idea to be dumb and a bit to nerdy for my tastes. But I know there is an audience for such a film, and it kind of reminded me of some of those lousy comedy films that people seemed to enjoy in the eighties. So view it at your own risk.

- Horror Bob

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