Cheap Larger Than Life (DVD) (Bill Murray) (Howard Franklin) Price

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Customer Reviews of Larger Than Life

Murray at his finest...well, since Ghostbusters that is.
Larger Than Life is a fun (and sadly forgotten) little family flick that everyone can enjoy. I'm 16 and I was chuckling all throughout by the likes of Bill Murray and Matthew McConaughey who are essentially the heart and soul of this kiddie adventure. The plot is a bit more advanced than most youthful ventures, and revolves around the escapades of sarcastic motivational speaker Jack Corcoran (Bill Murray), who receives a rather 'large' inheritance from his estranged father and unknowingly gets a suitcase full of clown supplies and a 'large' elephant named Vera. Deep in debt and eager to lose the new burden placed on his hands, Jack goes cross-country hoping to strike up a deal in which he can get Vera off his hands and make a little cash on the side. This, of course, goes awry and moral dilemmas lie in wait as Jack comes across floods, a paranoid hitchhiker played superbly by Matthew McConaughey going by the name Tip Tucker babbling about corrupt cops and conspiracies in motion by 'Big Brother', hijacking semi trucks, and half a dozen other little slapstick moments that should have the kids giggling. Larger Than Life is a simpleminded comedy aimed for the adolescent audience and though a few crude jokes are disguised by adult talk and should be over most of their heads, should be one that will provide the young ones with 93 minutes of fun and constant laughs from Murray's comical antics while still remaining family friendly and appropriate.

As for the disc, for one, you can expect Larger Than Life to be next to bare bones since it's another nail in MGM's budget title catalog and the demanding MSRP is reasonable, and secondly, it's a kiddie flick and therefore features are not a top priority, and three, the films next to pitiful $8 Million box office haul doesn't help either. That said, there is the obligatory Trailer presented in a widescreen format. Nothing special there. No booklet as usual. And since this is still an adolescent adventure, MGM gave us a bland full-frame presentation that is a tad bit above VHS quality. The picture quality is simple, faded, and bland. Nothing really stands out as a nice transfer would have and things remain in a neutral setting whether bright or dark, never adjusting quality with a change of atmosphere. And since there is really no sound effects and dramatic explosions to show off, the Stereo Surround mix is rather bland. Oh, and in addition to the less than par picture and sound quality we get a bland little promo for a dozen or so other MGM family budget titles.

The reason I give Larger Than Life a four star rating is because as a film I enjoyed it, Murray was flawless and his sarcastic humor never let me down, plus the fabulous cameo by McConaughey didn't hurt. But as a DVD, it's a toss up. MGM put no effort into the release and starved the flick of anything other than a Trailer. Yet on the other hand, the film is meant for the kids and there is not a demand for deleted scenes or commentaries among the target audience plus the low MSRP keeps Larger Than Life in reason. If you are looking for an affordable family fun title that the kids will get a kick out of then by all means go for Larger Than Life, and for those who are fans of Murray's relentless sarcastic antics, but those who are looking for a full fledged feature filled disc (which I doubt there are more than a dozen or so including myself) should steer clear. Larger Than Life is a fun kids flick that the whole family can sit back and enjoy, and for the budget it's a full fledged value. Thanks for reading my rather lengthy review of Larger Than Life; I hope it helps in your decision.

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Even if you don't like Bill Murray, it is a good family film
My son wanted the movie because it had an elephant in it. Though I hesitated, due to Bill Murray being the main actor, I took the chance and am very glad I did. It has turned into a favorite at our household. Their are many elements in the movie that stimulate discussion of family values and beliefs as well as a good old fashioned feel good ending. I actually found Bill endearing, which was hard to imagine since he usually struggles with his likeability on-screen. It's a good solid buy.

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you never forget an elephant!
Bill Murray stars as Jack Corcoran, a motivational speaker who has never known his dad. Turns out he recently died, as opposed to being long-dead as he had believed. Jack goes to collect his inheritance, which is a trunk of clown shoes and a rubber nose ("I'll take this", he says. "My dad never gave me enough toys anyway.") It is also an elephant named Vera (after his mother) and what he believes is $35,000. After he signs the papers, he learns he OWES $35,000 for damages Vera has incurred.

Thus begins Jack's odyssey of finding a home for Vera and the money to pay off the debt. He is in Maryland when he finds a lab that is sending a herd of elephants to Sri Lanka for a genepool experiment. The plane leaves from California.

Along the cross-country trek, Jack meets people who tell himn how to get Vera to obey (a former circus employee, she responds to very specific although cryptic commands.) He also meets a load of weirdos along the way, and makes some new friends. A favorite scene is when Jack, accompanied by a clan of plains people, rides across the Southwestern plains on Vera with his friends on horseback and some Bonanza-like music playing.

Jack comes to care about Vera and her happiness, when he is offered competing payments to clear his debt and then some at two different places. Deciding where Vera will be cared for and letting go of her is hard, but he manages to make a good decision.