THE METEOR MAN (1993) PG 100 Minutes Director: Robert Townsend Writer: Robert Townsend
CAST Robert Townsend...Jefferson Reed Eddie Griffin...Michael Marla Gibbs...Mrs. Reed Robert Guillaume...Ted Reed
THE METEOR MAN: Was It Really As Bad As People Remember?
In my retro reviews I like to examine the films that people forgot existed. METEOR MAN is one of those films. Not many people saw it when it came out and people often confuse it with BLANK MAN. That's a tragedy because it wasn't that bad.
There aren't too many average black guys in movies. They're either 50 Cent, or Michael Jordan, but never Carl Winslow. Which is a subtle form of racism I never noticed before. In this movie, the protagonist is a regular, nerdy teacher...before turning into a god-like super hero.
I'm sure you know what METEOR MAN is about from the title alone. A mild-mannered teacher transforms into a super hero. He battles the bloods and crypts of his neighborhood. And persuades these rival gangs to put away their glocks, and start acting like role models.
The bloods and crypts may have stopped fighting, but there's another gang in town: the 'Golden Lords'. All the gang members have dyed their hair blonde. Oh man, Don Cheadle with blonde hair, leading a gang of blonde-haired kids; that's priceless. And it gets better. You can hear Cheadle's contractually obligated, audio commentary on the blue ray...no, I'm kidding. But I'm certain that if Don Cheadle died today, at his memorial, there would be a blown up picture of him from this movie.
James Earl Jones was the funniest guy in the film. He plays a balding, middle-aged man, obsessed with looking young. For example, in one scene, he's wearing a Kidd and Play whig, and a very early 90s, Malcolm X baseball jersey. I love how Jones convincingly plays his part with a straight face.
Sinbad, how did he have time for CONEHEADS, THE SINBAD SHOW, and METEOR MAN, all in the same year. Seems to me, If one man has super powers, it's definitely SINBAD.
Bill Cosby is so creepy in this film. Like GHOST DAD creepy. Cosby appears at the beginning and shows up at the end randomly. I don't know where he came from. Is he homeless, an apartment superintendent, or a Ghost Dad?
METEOR MAN is a family film, and not high art. I love how bizarre and random everything is. Yes, there are plot holes, and it's never clear what Meteor Man's powers are. And if he can see through people's clothes, why do we see everyone in generic, white underwear? Maybe he can only see through one layer of clothes. Still though, some people don't wear any underwear.
Check this out when you have the flu or are severely sleep deprived. I think you'll be able to follow it.
Final Verdict: 70 out of 100