Top Secret! (1984, Rated PG, 90 minutes) available from Paramount Home Video
Stars: Val Kilmer and Lucy Gutteridge
Plot: In this spoof of spy movies, a rock star (Kilmer) helps a woman (Gutteridge) free her scientist father from facists.
Features: A Group Commentary with Directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, accompanied by Producers Jon Davison and Hunt Lowry, moderated by Fred Rubin; Widescreen presentation; Storyboards; the Original Theatrical Trailer, and 4 Alternate Scenes.
Final Word: The movie is dated, but that’s apart of its appeal. It revels in ’80s kitsch to such a degree that the film is a nostalgia trip as much as it is an inspired satire of spy movies, notably of the Bond franchise. Kilmer’s got the chops to pull off comedy-however outrageous-and is perfectly matched with the hilarious Gutteridge. Make sure to check out the multiple person commentary, it’s a hoot.
Rating: 4 briefs (out of 5)