114 reviews
Three furry multicolored aliens (Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans) land their spaceship in Geena Davis' pool. Wackiness follows. This is a fun little musical comedy with a great cast that's having a blast and it shows. Goldblum, Carrey, and Wayans are all good but it's the girls who really make this one work. Geena Davis is funny as well as being smoking hot in this. Julie Brown owns every scene she's in. She's a riot and her songs are great. Music video director Julien Temple maintains a brisk pace throughout. This is a colorful, bubbly comedy that I think will appeal to a variety of viewers. It's got '80s stamped all over it so if you enjoy movies from that decade (and you should), you'll enjoy this one.
- tony-walton
- Jan 18, 2003
- Permalink
- mark.waltz
- Feb 14, 2023
- Permalink
Former real life Hollywood couple Jeff Goldblum & Geena Davis made 3 films together, two of them comedies, one of them serious. The first film, also the film where they met, was the horror movie spoof "Transylvania 6-5000" (which I keep looking for but can't seem to find), in which Jeff played a reporter sent to Transylvania to follow a story with partner Ed Begley Jr. and Geena played a sex starved nymph who was convinced she was a vampire. The 2nd one they did and also the only serious one was the 1986 remake of "The Fly", in which Jeff played a good natured but lonely mad scientist who turned into a giant fly monster (that looked nothing like a fly and something more like a killer praying mantis) and Geena played his journalist lover. Then after boldly going where no Hollywood couple had ever gone before in said remake of "The Fly", they returned to light hearted comedy with our film here "Earth Girls Are Easy".
I've often theorized that the reason celebrity couples do films together is because it gives them a chance to spend time together and work together (seeing as how the hectic Hollywood schedule tends to keep people apart for long periods of time) and because studios can cash in on the respective fan bases of both stars. Well, for what it's worth this is a hell of a lot more fun to watch than most celebrity couple films.
Anyway, in this their third and final film together, Geena plays a beautiful but romantically unhappy manicurist Valley Girl who's doctor boyfriend Ted is cheating on her and Jeff plays the blue furred ringleader of three furry aliens, the other two being yellow furred Damon Wayans and pre-movie stardom red furred Jim Carrey (with his hair dyed blond!). Furry aliens Jeff, Jim and Damon crash land in Geena's pool the day after Geena discovers how unfaithful Ted's been and the sight of them understandably throws her for a loop. With their ship down for repairs the boys will have to stay with Geena and, doing her part for interplanetary relations, takes them to her ditzy manicurist cohort Candy (Julie Brown, who also helped write the film) to give the guys make overs so they can pass for Earthlings. Guess what? Geena eventually falls in love with Captain Jeff.
In an unrelated subplot that never quite went anywhere, Julie Brown's character fell for Jim Carrey's alien. Watching this back when it was made, who would have guessed that Jim Carrey would eventually go on to become one of Hollywood's biggest comedic stars and possess a career that would overshadow stars Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis?
May not be brilliant comedy but like so many other comedies of the 80s this is still a reasonably funny, good natured romp with the cast making the most of it. Geena's easy to like and Jeff's a good straight man to the wild antics of Jim and Damon, who both appear to be having a good time as the nuttier aliens. I don't know why people keep saying bad things about Jeff's performance here, as his quirky style makes him an ideal alien stranger in a strange land and manages some of the film's best bits, like when he uses his "love touch" to get two cops stuck on each other. There's also a funny scene where Jeff offers to make love to Geena to make her feel better about herself and get her mind off her cheating boyfriend and she tries to explain that them making love might not work on account of the fact that he's not of the Earth so not everything may work the same way and the whole time he's undressing off camera and then she gets a look at him and his "equipment" and just sort of trails off. Of course, she has to make sure he doesn't get the impression that "Earth Girls Are Easy".
Bit of a shame that Jeff & Geena's marriage didn't work out.
There are also some funny musical bits.
"Mac is Mr. Right?" - Jeff Goldblum as Mac
I've often theorized that the reason celebrity couples do films together is because it gives them a chance to spend time together and work together (seeing as how the hectic Hollywood schedule tends to keep people apart for long periods of time) and because studios can cash in on the respective fan bases of both stars. Well, for what it's worth this is a hell of a lot more fun to watch than most celebrity couple films.
Anyway, in this their third and final film together, Geena plays a beautiful but romantically unhappy manicurist Valley Girl who's doctor boyfriend Ted is cheating on her and Jeff plays the blue furred ringleader of three furry aliens, the other two being yellow furred Damon Wayans and pre-movie stardom red furred Jim Carrey (with his hair dyed blond!). Furry aliens Jeff, Jim and Damon crash land in Geena's pool the day after Geena discovers how unfaithful Ted's been and the sight of them understandably throws her for a loop. With their ship down for repairs the boys will have to stay with Geena and, doing her part for interplanetary relations, takes them to her ditzy manicurist cohort Candy (Julie Brown, who also helped write the film) to give the guys make overs so they can pass for Earthlings. Guess what? Geena eventually falls in love with Captain Jeff.
In an unrelated subplot that never quite went anywhere, Julie Brown's character fell for Jim Carrey's alien. Watching this back when it was made, who would have guessed that Jim Carrey would eventually go on to become one of Hollywood's biggest comedic stars and possess a career that would overshadow stars Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis?
May not be brilliant comedy but like so many other comedies of the 80s this is still a reasonably funny, good natured romp with the cast making the most of it. Geena's easy to like and Jeff's a good straight man to the wild antics of Jim and Damon, who both appear to be having a good time as the nuttier aliens. I don't know why people keep saying bad things about Jeff's performance here, as his quirky style makes him an ideal alien stranger in a strange land and manages some of the film's best bits, like when he uses his "love touch" to get two cops stuck on each other. There's also a funny scene where Jeff offers to make love to Geena to make her feel better about herself and get her mind off her cheating boyfriend and she tries to explain that them making love might not work on account of the fact that he's not of the Earth so not everything may work the same way and the whole time he's undressing off camera and then she gets a look at him and his "equipment" and just sort of trails off. Of course, she has to make sure he doesn't get the impression that "Earth Girls Are Easy".
Bit of a shame that Jeff & Geena's marriage didn't work out.
There are also some funny musical bits.
"Mac is Mr. Right?" - Jeff Goldblum as Mac
Campy, brainless comedy with music about a beautician--on the mend after kicking out her cheating fiancé--who gets an unexpected visit from three furry aliens and their spaceship, which lands in her swimming pool. Decked out in fluorescent colors, and with overtures to pop-music videos, "Earth Girls" is now little more than a relic from the 1980s. Director Julien Temple doesn't seem to know how to shape individual scenes (such as a frenetic dream sequence) for comedic impact--and he shows no sense of satire (the musical moments are flat). As a result, the blobby film has some bounce (mostly due to its likable cast) and cartoony color, but little hilarity. *1/2 from ****
- moonspinner55
- Sep 27, 2013
- Permalink
Before three aliens accidentally land into Valerie (Geena Davis)'s pool, she is a manicurist in The Valley, California, and is about to marry a doctor, Ted (Charles Rocket), who has always been unfaithful to her. Now the arrival of the three extra-terrestrials will change Valerie's life forever.
As a sci-fi comedy, some occasional singing scenes make this film also fit the category of musical. Although this is not exactly a profound story, it is light-hearted, colorful, energetic and successfully made for the purpose of entertainment.
The whole film is a hilarious party, if you're in the mood to relax, to lay back and to kick off your shoes without wanting to explore some serious issue, then you'll have a grand time watching this. The scene Valerie "destroys" about everything in her house after she sees her fiance with another woman was skillfully filmed and acted in a very funny and original way, while Valerie sings "I've lost my faith in you".
As Valerie, Geena Davis beautifully portrayed this cheerful, optimistic, lively and strong woman. Jeff Goldblum played Mac, a charming, maturer, steadier alien while his fellow travelers Wiploc and Zeebo (played by Jim Carrey and Damon Wayens respectively) are wackier and more fun-loving. All the characters in this movie are likeable and the film itself is just as interesting.
As a sci-fi comedy, some occasional singing scenes make this film also fit the category of musical. Although this is not exactly a profound story, it is light-hearted, colorful, energetic and successfully made for the purpose of entertainment.
The whole film is a hilarious party, if you're in the mood to relax, to lay back and to kick off your shoes without wanting to explore some serious issue, then you'll have a grand time watching this. The scene Valerie "destroys" about everything in her house after she sees her fiance with another woman was skillfully filmed and acted in a very funny and original way, while Valerie sings "I've lost my faith in you".
As Valerie, Geena Davis beautifully portrayed this cheerful, optimistic, lively and strong woman. Jeff Goldblum played Mac, a charming, maturer, steadier alien while his fellow travelers Wiploc and Zeebo (played by Jim Carrey and Damon Wayens respectively) are wackier and more fun-loving. All the characters in this movie are likeable and the film itself is just as interesting.
- RachelLone
- Jun 11, 2000
- Permalink
Mac (Jeff Goldblum), Wiploc (Jim Carrey) and Zeebo (Damon Wayans) are brightly-colored furry aliens desperate for female companionship. In L.A., Valerie (Geena Davis) is getting married to Ted in a month but he's not attracted to her. She's a nail manicurist in a hair salon with her friend Candy (Julie Brown). Valerie catches Ted with another girl and he takes off. Wiploc and Zeebo crash their spacecraft into her pool.
This is silly. It is unrelentingly wacky. It is deliberately strange. The musical portions are not that great. The songs are not the catchiest but they do try to be comical. Everything is so desperate to be outlandish that it isn't actually that funny. This is definitely different. Geena Davis is gorgeous and charismatic. Carrey and Wayans have moments of wacky but they could be so much more funnier. There's a crazy idea here but the writing isn't quite funny enough.
This is silly. It is unrelentingly wacky. It is deliberately strange. The musical portions are not that great. The songs are not the catchiest but they do try to be comical. Everything is so desperate to be outlandish that it isn't actually that funny. This is definitely different. Geena Davis is gorgeous and charismatic. Carrey and Wayans have moments of wacky but they could be so much more funnier. There's a crazy idea here but the writing isn't quite funny enough.
- SnoopyStyle
- Mar 8, 2016
- Permalink
Everyone loves a good (or bad) alien movie, and "Earth Girls Are Easy" doesn't disappoint. Valerie (Geena Davis) is an every-woman in southern California whose life is turned upside down when three aliens, Mac (Jeff Goldblum), Wiploc (Jim Carrey) and Zeebo (Damon Wayans), land in her swimming pool. She quickly gets them made up to look human, but they continue acting like non-humans. She has to explain sex to Mac, while Wiploc and Zeebo are still wacky.
In a way, the whole movie is an excuse to be silly. But believe you me, they come up with some really funny stuff (Jim Carrey does a great James Dean impression). You'll wish that some aliens could land in your swimming pool, or wherever near your house.
In a way, the whole movie is an excuse to be silly. But believe you me, they come up with some really funny stuff (Jim Carrey does a great James Dean impression). You'll wish that some aliens could land in your swimming pool, or wherever near your house.
- lee_eisenberg
- May 19, 2005
- Permalink
OK, while "Earth Girls Are Easy" is a little fun and up lifting comedy, things just didn't work for me. The whole story is just a joke, I really wanted to enjoy it, but it was just too over the top for me to get. I don't know, maybe if I were younger, but it just seemed to silly to really get and laugh at. But I admit, I did laugh a couple times and it seemed like the cast enjoyed working together. But I'm still in awe of why Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis were married. Doesn't that seem like the weirdest couple? :D They just don't match in my vision of what a good couple looks like.
It's an incredibly dated movie. But you have a baby Jim Carrey, who would've thought he's come this far? If you could go back in time and tell people that he was going to become a huge and popular actor, they'd probably laugh in your face. Basically Jeff, Jim, and Damon play these three aliens who crash down into Geena's backyard pool by accident, Geena promises to get the pool drained but it can't be fully dry until the next day, so she must find a way of getting these aliens to be like humans while trying to mend her broken heart of a very bad relationship. But Jeff knows a good way of putting her heart back together. :D Jim and Damon just have a good time in town and the beach figuring while they're on Earth, they might as well check out the babes!
Anyways, while it gets a few laughs and you have some fun with it, it just gets a little stupid and cliché. But if you enjoyed this movie, I'd recommend Encino Man probably. It had that feeling to it, so I'm going to be nice with the rating. It's just a silly musical I think if you are in the right mood, you can enjoy. So, sit back with the popcorn... or not, and go on a ride with Geena and Jeff. To their planet, where people found them to be a cute couple.
3/10
It's an incredibly dated movie. But you have a baby Jim Carrey, who would've thought he's come this far? If you could go back in time and tell people that he was going to become a huge and popular actor, they'd probably laugh in your face. Basically Jeff, Jim, and Damon play these three aliens who crash down into Geena's backyard pool by accident, Geena promises to get the pool drained but it can't be fully dry until the next day, so she must find a way of getting these aliens to be like humans while trying to mend her broken heart of a very bad relationship. But Jeff knows a good way of putting her heart back together. :D Jim and Damon just have a good time in town and the beach figuring while they're on Earth, they might as well check out the babes!
Anyways, while it gets a few laughs and you have some fun with it, it just gets a little stupid and cliché. But if you enjoyed this movie, I'd recommend Encino Man probably. It had that feeling to it, so I'm going to be nice with the rating. It's just a silly musical I think if you are in the right mood, you can enjoy. So, sit back with the popcorn... or not, and go on a ride with Geena and Jeff. To their planet, where people found them to be a cute couple.
3/10
- Smells_Like_Cheese
- Dec 16, 2005
- Permalink
It's cute.... it's bouncy.... it's fluff.... but it's mindless entertainment for a few hours.... See it!
Plus side:
Geena Davis is perfect as the quirky female lead.... Just enough of a ditz to be believable.... and yet strong enough, too...
Jeff Goldblum - well, he's kind of typical in this role... Like W. Shatner, Jeff has a particular way of speaking.... and this film shows it... But his acting was good and he was semi believable as a lovable alien... And, he was kind of hunky in that scene....
Jim Carrey & Damon Wayons - these 2 guys are 90% funny 90% of the time... they were classic on 'IN LIVING COLOR' and both have gone on to have decent careers in the years since.... The woodie on the freeway is hilarious!
Julie Brown - no other big-boobed-blonde could have EVER pulled this off! And, her songs from the film - 'Cuz I'm a Blonde, I Like 'em Big and Stupid - are just the best ... I don't have to work I just have to jiggle.....
While the story line may be cheesey and seem like a leftover that sat a bit too long, it's cute fluff and worth a view...
Plus side:
Geena Davis is perfect as the quirky female lead.... Just enough of a ditz to be believable.... and yet strong enough, too...
Jeff Goldblum - well, he's kind of typical in this role... Like W. Shatner, Jeff has a particular way of speaking.... and this film shows it... But his acting was good and he was semi believable as a lovable alien... And, he was kind of hunky in that scene....
Jim Carrey & Damon Wayons - these 2 guys are 90% funny 90% of the time... they were classic on 'IN LIVING COLOR' and both have gone on to have decent careers in the years since.... The woodie on the freeway is hilarious!
Julie Brown - no other big-boobed-blonde could have EVER pulled this off! And, her songs from the film - 'Cuz I'm a Blonde, I Like 'em Big and Stupid - are just the best ... I don't have to work I just have to jiggle.....
While the story line may be cheesey and seem like a leftover that sat a bit too long, it's cute fluff and worth a view...
- LeathermanCraig
- Aug 31, 2004
- Permalink
Julien Temple struggles to make decent movies. After the appalling Absolute Beginners, a film that - despite all the promise and potential of a great novel and a decent cast and a soundtrack by Bowie - falls short of the target by miles, Temple manages to barge around with an admirable lack of skill here in this cardboard cutout piece of cheap music hall. Nothing works. The film is slow and stiff with long embarrassing moments of nothing. In desperation a bored viewer may grasp at the flimsiest piece of stale slapstick to let out a yawning chuckle, but mainly the film can only be enjoyed by those who find turkeys amusing.
Sadly a few jaded commentators (including the late redoubtable Halliwell) seen to have taken this movie far too seriously...pay no attention! This movie mas made as a zany fluffy comedy, and it succeeds admirably at it. With talents like Gina Davis, Geoff Goldblum, the young Jim Carrey and the multi-talented Julie Brown amongst others how could it fail? Memorable moments include the aliens' learning isolated English phrases from commercials and old movies - "limp and hard to manage" has become a family in-joke; the like,-totally-cool-to-whatever-outrageous-happens surfer Woody (Michael McKean); the makeover; and Julie Brown's song, now a classic on Dr Demento, "Because I'm Blonde".
For anyone who complains the special effects are cheesy - they're _meant_ to be! This is in part a spoof of the 1950's aliens-come-to-earth B movies, so watch closely when the space ship arrives, hovers over the trees, and does its forced landing in Davis' pool: it is a triumph of reproducing the authentic 1950's effect, not a poor attempt at 80's FX tech! All in all the production values, cinematography and direction are excellent throughout and support the fine cast and writers to produce one of the most delightful light comedies of the 80's.
Don't miss this charmer. See it when it comes around on TV. Rent it, or buy it and show all your friends. Just be sure you're in the mood for comic nonsense, not Dostoyevsky!
For anyone who complains the special effects are cheesy - they're _meant_ to be! This is in part a spoof of the 1950's aliens-come-to-earth B movies, so watch closely when the space ship arrives, hovers over the trees, and does its forced landing in Davis' pool: it is a triumph of reproducing the authentic 1950's effect, not a poor attempt at 80's FX tech! All in all the production values, cinematography and direction are excellent throughout and support the fine cast and writers to produce one of the most delightful light comedies of the 80's.
Don't miss this charmer. See it when it comes around on TV. Rent it, or buy it and show all your friends. Just be sure you're in the mood for comic nonsense, not Dostoyevsky!
- tpatria_ml
- Jul 5, 2007
- Permalink
There is something about the standard eighties film that is quite unique, they seem more light and fluffy than the films released these days. Even better, they seemed to attract fairly big name stars of that time...This is not a great film, but it is what it is. It's light hearted, funny, has some interesting musical interludes and outrageous costumes and is one of Jim carrey's earlier films. There is not much of a story but the slight premise it is based on is still entertaining. Would recommend to any child of the eighties!
- Meredith-7
- Apr 6, 2003
- Permalink
I understood that it was meant to be a campy, B-rate hybrid between comedy, sci-fi, musical and romance and it starts out well. I liked the opening musical numbers, and there are even some laughs to start out with, like in the scene where Geena Davis tries to spice up her sex life with her fiance. But after a while, the movie wears out its welcome and gets too campy for its own good. I'm able to suspend the disbelief of the aliens having their hairy bodies shaved and appearing human--it's a quite creative idea--but I wasn't able to forgive other goofy plot holes, like the aliens landing on earth with no knowledge of the English vocabulary and imitating the lines they hear from movies and TV shows, and in no time they speak the language fluently. I love the fish-out-of-water idea of aliens appearing as humans and walking the earth, because it's a premise that can go quite far, as we've seen in the sitcom "3rd Rock from the Sun." What makes the idea so funny is that the fact that no matter how different they act than the average human being, the people around them simply think they're stupid humans rather than aliens. And it's a believable paradox, since a minority of people believe that aliens exist and an even smaller minority believe that they walk the earth in the form of humans. Once the movie arrives around the 1/2-hour mark, we're faced with flat sight gags and horrible cliches. However, I did enjoy Julie Brown's musical number, "'Cause I'm a Blonde." I still cannot get the song out of my head, and I'm faintly humming it at this moment. Geena Davis is a fine actress, who I don't see much of anymore, not to mention she's very beautiful. She helps boost the film's merit a couple notches. Jeff Goldblum looks like he walked onto the wrong movie set. I don't think I've ever seen him look more bored in a performance. Maybe he just wanted to re-team with Davis, after having worked together in "The Fly." "Earth Girls Are Easy" definitely has its fun moments, but after a while that fun dissolves into sheer stupidity.
My score: 5 (out of 10)
My score: 5 (out of 10)
- MovieLuvaMatt
- Mar 20, 2004
- Permalink
'Earth Girls are Easy' is a B-52's kind of style musical. Well, it's sort of a musical. It's sporadic musical numbers and dance acts that have to keep this movie plugging along. If you know the Julie Brown song, Earth Girls are Easy, then you know the story.
Clueless Valerie (Geena Davis) of the Valley discovers that her idiot fiancee, Ted (Charles Rocket), is cheating on her about the same time that some aliens crash land in her swimming pool. With Ted gone, she doesn't mind entertaining a few aliens (Jim Carey, Damon Wayans, and Jeff Godlbum) for a while. Actually, the results are pretty funny, since basically she tries to get them to assimilate to 80 Californian culture as she knows it. She first does by shaving off their hairy exterior so that they look like humans (of course). It sure doesn't occur to their blonde, braindead Valley Girl friends, that there is something wrong Wiploc, Zeebo, and Mac (especially considering that they repeat everything people tell them and don't say much else) so long as theyre good dancers, party animals, and good in bed, of course. In the course of everything, including her creepy fiancee trying to weasel his way back, Valerie falls in love with Mac (played by her then-husband, Jeff Goldbum).
It is an amusing little romantic comedy that seems to have taken some cues from Susan Sneideman's 'Making Mr. Right' which you might also enjoy if you like this movie, although that is not quite as funky in the B-52s sense of the word. Not that the B-52s had anything to do with this movie, either, but I think they are most closely associated with the style of comedy and atmosphere I'm referring to.
This is not a movie for everyone, obviously. Earth Girls are Easy is a funky 80s b-comedy recommended for real 80s fans, though it'll probably appeal more to us female audiences. Just waste your brain, wax your board, and pray for waves!
Clueless Valerie (Geena Davis) of the Valley discovers that her idiot fiancee, Ted (Charles Rocket), is cheating on her about the same time that some aliens crash land in her swimming pool. With Ted gone, she doesn't mind entertaining a few aliens (Jim Carey, Damon Wayans, and Jeff Godlbum) for a while. Actually, the results are pretty funny, since basically she tries to get them to assimilate to 80 Californian culture as she knows it. She first does by shaving off their hairy exterior so that they look like humans (of course). It sure doesn't occur to their blonde, braindead Valley Girl friends, that there is something wrong Wiploc, Zeebo, and Mac (especially considering that they repeat everything people tell them and don't say much else) so long as theyre good dancers, party animals, and good in bed, of course. In the course of everything, including her creepy fiancee trying to weasel his way back, Valerie falls in love with Mac (played by her then-husband, Jeff Goldbum).
It is an amusing little romantic comedy that seems to have taken some cues from Susan Sneideman's 'Making Mr. Right' which you might also enjoy if you like this movie, although that is not quite as funky in the B-52s sense of the word. Not that the B-52s had anything to do with this movie, either, but I think they are most closely associated with the style of comedy and atmosphere I'm referring to.
This is not a movie for everyone, obviously. Earth Girls are Easy is a funky 80s b-comedy recommended for real 80s fans, though it'll probably appeal more to us female audiences. Just waste your brain, wax your board, and pray for waves!
- vertigo_14
- Jul 10, 2004
- Permalink
Throughout this film I had no idea who this was made for. It has a PG rating, though the whole movie is basically about hooking up with alien guys. There's also scenes of adultery, some sexual nudity, and references to drug use. This movie makes women seem like adult little girls who don't know what they want and allow people to use them. It makes men look like shallow sex addicts who care about nothing else. I was a little insulted that they would expect me to suspend my disbelief when they took the aliens to a salon and made them look just like attractive beach guys, I mean come on. There are also random song and dance numbers thrown in the midst of this romantic slapstick comedy love story thing. This is definitely NOT for kids, and seems really vapid and immature for adults. I didn't like any of the characters either, which made this movie feel lifeless and uninspired.
- Mixxy_Mona
- Nov 12, 2010
- Permalink
Holy crud...this is one shocker of a movie. Okay, dude, it starts off as literally one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Additionally, I find out - as I went in cold, man - that it's a musical out of nowhere.
Okay...I'm dropping the "Valley" talk I just had to endure for 100 minutes. Anyhoo, I somehow just had to continue watching as I can't rate a movie one way or another without seeing the whole thing. So, I proceeded in what I thought would be, in fact, one of the worst films I've experienced.
Bam! After musical segment #2, they seemed to forget this was a musical and went back to the comedic tone. And...it got funny. And funnier. Sure, not all jokes landed, actually about only 50/50 did, but when they did I was laughing. In one scene, I actually did completely, unabashedly and unapologetically laugh out loud.
This was followed by the movie reminding us it's a musical and they performed one of my all-time favorite music hits I never knew came from this: "'Cause I'm a Blonde" by Julie Brown. And it was the full music video!!
Funny enough, when the movie started, it told us: "Introducing: Julie Brown" and that she was one of the writers. I did know that she did sung that song, I just didn't know they'd use this movie as a platform for her to get it and the video, not to mention a bunch of MTV name drops, out into the public.
And just like that, I was on board. The movie turned funny, the songs good to great and it's definitely a movie you can't take seriously. Now, it's not perfect and once again, that opening was so hard to get through. But, getting past its flaws, namely tonal issues and an undeveloped script, the movie was totally rad. (Sorry.) Totally tubular!
And totally 1987, two years before its release. Yeah, I saw 'The Living Daylights' was playing at the local theatre in one scene. That was Timothy Dalton's first of only two appearances as James Bond; the first in 1987 and second ('License to Kill') THIS year of release: 1989. Plus they had an obnoxiously big "George Bush for President" bumper sticker for an obscene long time on screen. He was running in 1987-1988. Maybe they delayed the film two years in shame for that or didn't have money for reshoots?
I digress. This crazy comedy, sometimes musical and loose sci-fi alien fish/cat out of water story takes time to warm to, but when it starts to get good, it's a blast. Total recommendation.
***
Final thoughts: So, I'm doing this crazy 100-movie marathon of 1989 films to "prove" 1989 was the best year in cinema and twice now, two movies I haven't seen before, knew nothing about, surprised me with songs I've loved all my life. 'Chances Are' - actually, a pretty bad movie, got a higher rating from me once I heard/discovered it was the birth film for Cher's "After All." And this got the bump and respect from me when "'Cause I'm a Blonde" showed up out of nowhere. Again, probably just thrown in for Julie Brown to show off her skills. I dunno, don't care. Worked on me!
Okay...I'm dropping the "Valley" talk I just had to endure for 100 minutes. Anyhoo, I somehow just had to continue watching as I can't rate a movie one way or another without seeing the whole thing. So, I proceeded in what I thought would be, in fact, one of the worst films I've experienced.
Bam! After musical segment #2, they seemed to forget this was a musical and went back to the comedic tone. And...it got funny. And funnier. Sure, not all jokes landed, actually about only 50/50 did, but when they did I was laughing. In one scene, I actually did completely, unabashedly and unapologetically laugh out loud.
This was followed by the movie reminding us it's a musical and they performed one of my all-time favorite music hits I never knew came from this: "'Cause I'm a Blonde" by Julie Brown. And it was the full music video!!
Funny enough, when the movie started, it told us: "Introducing: Julie Brown" and that she was one of the writers. I did know that she did sung that song, I just didn't know they'd use this movie as a platform for her to get it and the video, not to mention a bunch of MTV name drops, out into the public.
And just like that, I was on board. The movie turned funny, the songs good to great and it's definitely a movie you can't take seriously. Now, it's not perfect and once again, that opening was so hard to get through. But, getting past its flaws, namely tonal issues and an undeveloped script, the movie was totally rad. (Sorry.) Totally tubular!
And totally 1987, two years before its release. Yeah, I saw 'The Living Daylights' was playing at the local theatre in one scene. That was Timothy Dalton's first of only two appearances as James Bond; the first in 1987 and second ('License to Kill') THIS year of release: 1989. Plus they had an obnoxiously big "George Bush for President" bumper sticker for an obscene long time on screen. He was running in 1987-1988. Maybe they delayed the film two years in shame for that or didn't have money for reshoots?
I digress. This crazy comedy, sometimes musical and loose sci-fi alien fish/cat out of water story takes time to warm to, but when it starts to get good, it's a blast. Total recommendation.
***
Final thoughts: So, I'm doing this crazy 100-movie marathon of 1989 films to "prove" 1989 was the best year in cinema and twice now, two movies I haven't seen before, knew nothing about, surprised me with songs I've loved all my life. 'Chances Are' - actually, a pretty bad movie, got a higher rating from me once I heard/discovered it was the birth film for Cher's "After All." And this got the bump and respect from me when "'Cause I'm a Blonde" showed up out of nowhere. Again, probably just thrown in for Julie Brown to show off her skills. I dunno, don't care. Worked on me!
Did not really care for this movie for the most part it was a very difficult watch for me as it was not my type of movie. I mainly watched it as this was a time I was a bit of a Jim Carrey fan and I wanted to see this earlier role of his. Also of note is a young Damon Wayans and Jeff Goldblum when he was still a bit of a bankable star. Granted this film did not bank all that much money. Gena Davis was very attractive in this one as she was simply gorgeous in the 80's as this is one of two collaborations with her and Jeff Goldblum, "The Fly" being the other and vastly superior film. This one is about three aliens that crash land in a gal's pool as their ship is really small and they can grow to match the inhabitants and this also saves a lot of money on effects as now you do not have to build a huge spaceship. The aliens start out as really colorful furry types, however once shaved down they look pretty much like humans. The humor for the most part falls a bit flat, some of it made me chuckle like when Carrey's character uses his tongue to get a piece of ice. Still, while it may be debatable whether Earth girls are easy, to me watching this film is not.
EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY is a film that's all over the place, trying to please everybody all of the time, and as we know that's a mission that's doomed to fail from the outset. What this strives to be is a colourful, bright and breezy sci-fi comedy with an all-star cast riding high at the peak of their careers. What it turns out to be is a mess of stupid dialogue, dumb comedy situations, and a general lack of cohesion all round.
I was hoping this would be a musical along the lines of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and yet as it turns out the songs are few and far between and seem to have been included just to pad out the running time. Geena Davis is given little more to do than parade around in either her underwear, her nightdress, or a bikini, and even though she looks great this film hardly stretches her acting abilities. She plays a frustrated housewife who embarks on an odd adventure when a spaceship containing three aliens crash-lands in her swimming pool.
Jeff Goldblum plays the lead alien and is probably the best actor in this, adding some of his kooky charm, even though he isn't given much to work with all things considered. A pre-fame Jim Carrey plays another of the aliens and is irritating as ever, making weird noises and doing stupid stuff all the while, like an overactive child. The special effects are adequate, but there's no real content here, no lessons learned. The whole film is just an example of '80s excess at its worst.
I was hoping this would be a musical along the lines of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and yet as it turns out the songs are few and far between and seem to have been included just to pad out the running time. Geena Davis is given little more to do than parade around in either her underwear, her nightdress, or a bikini, and even though she looks great this film hardly stretches her acting abilities. She plays a frustrated housewife who embarks on an odd adventure when a spaceship containing three aliens crash-lands in her swimming pool.
Jeff Goldblum plays the lead alien and is probably the best actor in this, adding some of his kooky charm, even though he isn't given much to work with all things considered. A pre-fame Jim Carrey plays another of the aliens and is irritating as ever, making weird noises and doing stupid stuff all the while, like an overactive child. The special effects are adequate, but there's no real content here, no lessons learned. The whole film is just an example of '80s excess at its worst.
- Leofwine_draca
- Jun 8, 2015
- Permalink
RELEASED IN 1988 and directed by Julien Temple, "Earth Girls are Easy" chronicles events when three aliens (Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans) befriend a woman in Los Angeles (Geena Davis) and go out on the town. Julie Brown plays the woman's friend at work while Charles Rocket plays her roaming-eye fiancé. Michael McKean is on hand as her stoner brother.
This movie's goofy, but often hilarious and always fun & entertaining. Don't expect the howling bad crapola of future duds "2001: A Space Travesty" and "What Planet Are You From?" (both from 2000). Unlike those flicks, the unsavory sleaze is kept in check; it's almost innocent by comparison. I've never seen Julie Brown before, but she's definitely a bright spot. The score is fun & energetic in a decidedly 80's way.
THE MOVIE RUNS 100 minutes and was shot in the Los Angeles area. WRITERS: Julie Brown, Charlie Coffey & Terrence E. McNally.
GRADE: B+
This movie's goofy, but often hilarious and always fun & entertaining. Don't expect the howling bad crapola of future duds "2001: A Space Travesty" and "What Planet Are You From?" (both from 2000). Unlike those flicks, the unsavory sleaze is kept in check; it's almost innocent by comparison. I've never seen Julie Brown before, but she's definitely a bright spot. The score is fun & energetic in a decidedly 80's way.
THE MOVIE RUNS 100 minutes and was shot in the Los Angeles area. WRITERS: Julie Brown, Charlie Coffey & Terrence E. McNally.
GRADE: B+
Clearly, Earth Girls Are Easy is not a film that its writers meant to win any awards or tell any important message. The cartoonish appearance of the aliens and the laughable fact that they have a human appearance once their pastel fur is shaved off is a joke. This film as a whole is boring and immediately forgettable.
Given the fact that alien beings, if they do exist, could be in virtually ANY form (and almost definitely not a humanoid form), I find it difficult to believe that the aliens in this movie were nothing but hairy humans. At some points their mentalities seem infantile as they vainly try to assimilate into the human lifestyle, and then you have to acknowledge the fact that they were able to learn the English language in its entirety in a matter of hours. One of them even becomes romantically involved with Valerie (Geena Davis), and seems to know all of the problems that arise in romantic relationships. I can't stand movies like this!
A valley girl in California is sunbathing in her yard when a spaceship crash-lands in her swimming pool. That's another thing, by the way; a spaceship capable of interstellar travel and yet small enough to fit in a swimming pool? These guys should have tried to get jobs designing compact cars. A bunch of hairy aliens emerge from this little bitty ship, and Valerie becomes friends with them. She and her friend CANDY (as respectable a name as any) decide to shave them and find that they all resemble mediocre (at the time, at least) Hollywood actors. Their adventures into the world of Southern California provide for a couple of uncertain and unconvincing laughs, yet mostly serve to bore and annoy. Have you so far heard any reason to watch this film? That's because there is none.
To make matters worse, the film was partially a musical. I don't have anything against musicals, but it was bad enough that the aliens figured out the human race in a matter of a day or two, now we are asked to believe that they like to sing and dance on the beach. Besides that, some of the songs seem to have been thrown in for no apparent reason ("Because I'm blonde" comes immediately to mind). Maybe I am being too harsh on this film, but I watched it mostly because I had never seen it and I am a huge Jim Carrey fan, and I was just hugely disappointed. The target audience for Earth Girls Are Easy is incredibly immature, so if you are out of elementary school, I would suggest that you avoid this one.
Given the fact that alien beings, if they do exist, could be in virtually ANY form (and almost definitely not a humanoid form), I find it difficult to believe that the aliens in this movie were nothing but hairy humans. At some points their mentalities seem infantile as they vainly try to assimilate into the human lifestyle, and then you have to acknowledge the fact that they were able to learn the English language in its entirety in a matter of hours. One of them even becomes romantically involved with Valerie (Geena Davis), and seems to know all of the problems that arise in romantic relationships. I can't stand movies like this!
A valley girl in California is sunbathing in her yard when a spaceship crash-lands in her swimming pool. That's another thing, by the way; a spaceship capable of interstellar travel and yet small enough to fit in a swimming pool? These guys should have tried to get jobs designing compact cars. A bunch of hairy aliens emerge from this little bitty ship, and Valerie becomes friends with them. She and her friend CANDY (as respectable a name as any) decide to shave them and find that they all resemble mediocre (at the time, at least) Hollywood actors. Their adventures into the world of Southern California provide for a couple of uncertain and unconvincing laughs, yet mostly serve to bore and annoy. Have you so far heard any reason to watch this film? That's because there is none.
To make matters worse, the film was partially a musical. I don't have anything against musicals, but it was bad enough that the aliens figured out the human race in a matter of a day or two, now we are asked to believe that they like to sing and dance on the beach. Besides that, some of the songs seem to have been thrown in for no apparent reason ("Because I'm blonde" comes immediately to mind). Maybe I am being too harsh on this film, but I watched it mostly because I had never seen it and I am a huge Jim Carrey fan, and I was just hugely disappointed. The target audience for Earth Girls Are Easy is incredibly immature, so if you are out of elementary school, I would suggest that you avoid this one.
- Anonymous_Maxine
- Jul 10, 2000
- Permalink
This is one of the fluff movies which one doesn't need to be ashamed of admitting to enjoyment in. No, there's nothing plausible about 90% of the plot, but nor is there any pretense of such, so it's not something worth angsting over. Three fuzzy, colorful aliens crash their little yellow ship into the pool of a young, somewhat vapid Geena Davis, who has recently discovered that her MD. fiance is cheating on her. A quick shave and styling at her friend's beauty parlor transforms the three into less hirsute versions of Goldblum, Carrey and Wayans. Having assimilated at least the appearance of human beings, the aliens enter the world of 80s California, and wackiness, along with the necessary romance, ensues.
As 80s flicks go, this is better than, say, Weird Science or Back to School, though not up to par with things like Caddyshack or A Fish Called Wanda. Nothing essential to go out of your way to see, but certainly worth catching sometime
As 80s flicks go, this is better than, say, Weird Science or Back to School, though not up to par with things like Caddyshack or A Fish Called Wanda. Nothing essential to go out of your way to see, but certainly worth catching sometime
There is a lot here to like. The songs are well written and genuinely funny, the comic pacing is nicely zippy and the situation could hardly have more camp appeal, combining space aliens, makeovers and Valley culture into a goofy, fun mix.
The look of the picture is a major plus, with everything having a sparkly quality to it, and the slightly goofy 50s appearance of the spaceship is a definite plus. Geena and Jeff are an attractive, easy to like couple, and carry off the fairly absurd premise (a whirlwind interspecies romance) disarmingly. One major weakness with the picture is an inability to find screen business for Jim Carrey, who has a few fine moments, but his unique gifts for mimicry and physical comedy are largely wasted.
The look of the picture is a major plus, with everything having a sparkly quality to it, and the slightly goofy 50s appearance of the spaceship is a definite plus. Geena and Jeff are an attractive, easy to like couple, and carry off the fairly absurd premise (a whirlwind interspecies romance) disarmingly. One major weakness with the picture is an inability to find screen business for Jim Carrey, who has a few fine moments, but his unique gifts for mimicry and physical comedy are largely wasted.
- freethinkingworld
- Feb 7, 2023
- Permalink