Little Man – Loaded With Extra Crap Edition
Picture:
B- Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: C+
One of
the most avoided films of the year because most people do not want to begin to
consider that it might be funny is Keenan Ivory Wayans' comedy Little Man (2006), in which his
youngest brothers play a midget gangster (Marlon) and the young man (Shawn) who
takes him in against his will because to escape police, he has dressed himself
up as an abandoned toddler when his girlfriend discovers him.
Yes, there
are the obvious jokes and the usual quotient of Wayans gross humor (but this is
still PG-13), but there is more here to recommend. The film has some funny moments and gags that
are totally unexpected, which makes it all more surprisingly watchable. Some risks do not work and the storyline
itself plays it too safe later on, but it is one of the better comedies of the
year and seems by design to want to be a guilty pleasure in advance. The only thing to ask yourself is why does
the non-political concept of this particular film seem to hit a nerve with
people when you bring it up.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is not bad, but uses extensive digital
effects to make Marlon look toddler-sized along with a stand-in. As shot by cinematographer Steven Bernstein,
A.S.C., the film looks as good as it can under the circumstances and they are
so aware of the limits that they really are actually having fun with them to
make this film funnier. Take a look for
yourself just at that aspect and tell me otherwise.
The Dolby
Digital 5.1 mix is weak since this is basically a dialogue-based comedy, though
music does kick in at times. Extras
include a featurette about Marlon’s double, gag featurette about acting, audio
commentary by the Wayans, visual effects featurette, making-of featurette,
deleted and extended scenes. All offer a
few more laughs if you have not had enough of the joke already. Well, no one can accuse The Wayans of
quitting early on anything. If you dare,
take a look at it and see what happens.
- Nicholas Sheffo
