The Adventures of Pluto Nash

In the decade of 2080, on a lunar colony called Little America, a retired smuggler named Pluto Nash (Eddie Murphy) buys a nightclub in order to fulfill a longtime wish and prevent the murder of Anthony Frankowski (Jay Mohr), the club’s previous owner, by his creditors. Seven years later, "Club Pluto" has become a successful business that is frequented by many socialites. The staff consists of Pluto, a Hispanic assistant, and an anthropomorphic android robot named Bruno (Randy Quaid). Meanwhile, Anthony has become a stage performer under the name of Tony Francis, under which name he has achieved interplanetary fame despite his apparent lack of talent. His music, performance style, and costume resemble those of Frank Sinatra.

Pluto is approached one night by a young woman called Dina Lake (Rosario Dawson), who has become stranded on the Moon and desires to earn money to pay for transport to Earth. She seeks help from Pluto because her father, "Nicky Sticks", was a friend of Pluto’s, to whom offers her skills as a singer. Instead, Pluto gives her a job as server at his club and allows her to remain after closure. During the same night, Pluto is approached three times by messengers of a mysterious entrepreneur called Rex Crater, who wishes to buy Club Pluto and convert it into a gambling casino. When Pluto refuses, Rex Crater’s minions destroy the club. Pluto, Dina, and Bruno escape. They therafter begin to investigate Rex Crater, about whom very little is known. Rowland (Peter Boyle), a friend to Pluto’s mother and retired police detective, informs Pluto that Rex Crater is never seen outside of a penthouse in the city of Moon Beach. Rex is said to have been involved with a geneticist named Runa Pendankin, who specialized in cloning before her death.

Pluto and Dina visit Doctor Pendankin’s apprentice, Mona Zimmer, who operates a cosmetic surgery station. To inflitrate this, they pose as a married couple attempting to revive their infatuation for one another by having their figures altered. After they have seen several examples of commonly preferred body shapes and contours, Zimmer asks for a police permit to perform the operation. Pluto bribes her to ignore this formality, and when she accepts the bribe poses as a police officer bent on interrogating her. Having been intimidated by Pluto’s bluffs, Zimmer reveals that Doctor Pendankin had worked for or with a Terrestrial criminal having what appeared to be the initials "WZW" inscribed on his briefcase prior to her death.

Pluto and Dina return to the hotel. They meet Pluto’s mother, Flura Nash (Pam Grier). All are attacked by Rex Crater’s assassins, who have tracked them to the hotel. They all narrowly escape, whereinafter Pluto steals a car to transport himself, Dina, and Bruno to an abandoned smuggler’s refuge.

At this hideout, Pluto mounts an Internet-based search for any Terrestrial criminal with the initials "WZW". When this yields nothing, Dina suggests that the initials are in fact "MZM", having been seen upside-down by Mona Zimmer. Pluto, on this basis, discovers a criminal called Michael Zoroaster Marucci. Pluto suspects that Michael Marucci and Rex Crater are one and the same. Abruptly, he is contacted by his mother, who tells him that Rowland has been killed. Moments later, the hideout is attacked by Rex Crater’s agents. A chase ensues; during Pluto’s final evasive manouvere, their car is damaged and explodes, causing them to be presumed dead.

They are eventually rescued and taken to Moon Beach by Felix Laranga (Luis Guzmn), a smuggler who idolizes Pluto Nash. They infiltrate Rex Crater’s casino/hotel, where they contact Tony Francis after his concert. Tony attempts to help them, but they are captured by Rex Crater’s agents and taken to him.

Pluto accuses Rex Crater of being Michael Marucci, whereupon Rex Crater reveals himself to be a clone of Pluto, created by Doctor Pendankin to act as a public face of Michael Marucci’s illegal activities, but who then killed Marucci. Rex coolly murders his agents who had failed to destroy Pluto, shocking most of the onlookers, then goes on to explain his elaborate plans to create a chain of "exclusive" gambling casinos from the ruins of other establishments including Club Pluto. At this, Pluto contemptuously destroys Rex’s model of the casino and assaults him. Rex and Pluto then fight for possession of Rex’s gun while the others watch, uncertain of which is Pluto and which is Rex.

Pluto shoots Bruno when he gains possession of the gun, whereupon Rex’s assistant Belcher (James Rebhorn) assumes that Pluto would not damage his own robot and shoots Rex. Pluto orders the robot guards to leave, then reveals his identity to Dina by speaking of her employment to him. When Belcher realizes the truth, he is struck down; Bruno then reveals that he was wearing a bulletproof shirt on Pluto’s advice. Rex, who shares Pluto’s memories and was therefore also wearing a bulletproof shirt, is revived attempts to garotte Pluto with a wire paperweight. He is then thrown through a window and dies falling into the casino below.

The movie ends with the protagonists celebrating in the rebuilt Club Pluto. Bruno is made manager of the Club and Dina its lead singer. Felix is granted lifelong credit and Tony invited to the celebration. Pluto, his desires fulfilled, rests at ease.

• This movie was shelved for almost two years before it was released.
• In absolute terms, this movie made the largest financial loss of any movie to date, with a budget of $100 million and a total US gross of $4.41 million (total loss, $95.59 million).
• The original script was written in 1985. A dozen other writers wrote treatments of it, but Neil Cuthbert was the only one credited.

• Continuity: While Pluto is in his hidden moon warehouse/lair and checking his computer to find the crook, he is given a sandwich. From behind we see he takes a big bite from the middle of the sandwich. When we cut to face Pluto, the bite has moved to the edge and the middle is bite-free.
• Continuity: When Pluto and Dina are in the Garden of Paradise and Pluto is about to leave, the clock by the door reads 6:54. However, when he has walked out, as the door is closing, the clock reads 1:17.
• Continuity: When Pluto Nash finally meets his “twin”, he has a black tie and his twin has a red one. In the next shot they both are wearing black ties.

• Continuity: In the end fight, Pluto Nash’s twin falls and crashes onto the Blackjack table, the female on the right side has no reaction but step back, smiles, and doesn’t even spill her champagne while everybody else is shocked and jumping back. In the escape scene, when Pluto and Dina are leaving the secret warehouse, Dina is wearing a purple spacesuit, then later on while traveling in the space car she is wearing an orange space suit. When they exit the car her spacesuit is purple again.

Kudos to Randy Quaid, who’s about the only one entirely believable in hisrole (and to think he had the toughest part!). Eddie Murphy does an OK job,but its clear his best part is as a character actor, or someone a littlemore interesting (like Jay Mohr’s character). Easily a 6, and I’ll probablyvote a 7 just to balance out those cast votes to moviessight-unseen.

2) I am an Eddie Murphy fan, but I did not go to the theater to see thismovie because of the horrible reviews that I read about it. My feelingsafter catching this movie on HBO are clear, don’t necessarily base allof your decisions to watch a movie or not on highly publicized reviews.The fact is, that I enjoyed this movie. I thought that the cast wasattractive and talented; and that there were some credible laughs. Butmost of all, I thoroughly enjoyed the way the movie looked and how itwas filmed. This film was simply not as bad as the critics said it was.It is possible that because the critics criticized the movie so much,that when I finally saw the movie, and was not repulsed by it, that Ibegan to relax and enjoy it. I think that many of the critics wereexpecting a Beverly Hills Cop-type laugh fest, but that is not a comedythat’s really an action-drama with a few laughs. This is strictly asci-fi comedy, as such, it does not take itself seriously; and neithershould you if you decide to watch it. Just see if you enjoy it. I suredid.

3) This is just another example of the continuing downward spiral of EddieMurphy’s once exciting career. Murphy will always have scripts handed to himand he’ll always be working in films but the once edgy comedian has lost hisedge a long time ago. This story takes place in the future where Earth haspopulated the Moon and a former smuggler named Pluto Nash (Murphy) takesover a nightclub from a friend and Nash makes it a big success andmoneymaker. A young woman and aspiring singer named Dina Lake (RosarioDawson) asks for a job but all Nash gives her is the opportunity towaitress. Some mobsters have been buying up the local business’s and theywant Nash’s club but he won’t sell. So they blow the place up and try tokill him but Nash, Dina and a robot named Bruno (Randy Quaid) escape and themobsters try and find him. This film was directed by Ron Underwood who isusually reliable with lightweight comedy like this but this film fails fromthe outset. The special effects are adequate but not overly impressive. Manyof the scenes are clearly filmed on a soundstage and in one shot Underwoodresorts to actors being hoisted by wires for the gravity effect. Didn’t theystop doing that in the 60’s? And poor Randy Quaid has to play a horny andoverly sensitive robot. Were we really suppose to find it amusing that hetries to get it on with other robots? But the big flaw comes from Murphyhimself. This once exciting comedian use to be so reliable for edgyperformances but here he plays his character totally straight. As you watchthis you keep waiting for Murphy to say something witty and off the cuff butit never happens. It looks like Murphy has decided to try and be an actionstar or be the romantic lead. Murphy has become boring to watch and its sadto watch his films now. Pam Grier pops up as Murphy’s mother but she hasnothing to do. She has maybe two scenes and then she runs off (Literally).This film wastes opportunities and the script has nothing new to offer.Along with Murphy’s boring and drab performance this film was dead onarrival!

4) And to think my all-time fav genre is sci-fi comedy! Here's a primetextbook case at how not to do one.

It's a comedy with only a microscopic trace of humor, a sci-fi thatreally could just have easily been set in present-day Earth with nosci-fi elements at all, and an action film that contains only thestandard D-grade action story setups and climaxes – and done at alackadaisical by-the numbers contract-delivery pace.

The only element that has the slight bit of remote interest is RandyQuaid as a rather quirky bodyguard robot. At least it's an interestingexercise at how to play a totally fanciful out-of-this world conceptwith no real-life equivalent. Yeah – the sort of role that yourstandard modern drama school graduate would be scratching their headstrying to get a grip on; and your academic drama scholar would betearing their hair out till they looked like Homer Simpson over thefact "its not the type of role -or story for that matter- that has anycredibility or truth to the human experience" (blah blah!) The factthat he is even a tiny bit watchable in that deserves a bit of afinger-clap – maybe.

It could have been so much better – a few puppet-type aliens hangingaround, a bit more showing of the light gravity bits, a dig at yourserious Arthur C Clarke space drama like MOONDUST – anything at all tomake this remotely interesting as a cinema experience – or even astoryline.

But what we actually get is the real sort of movie that theconservative critics have accused all summer-style movies of being:brainless formulaic uncreative popcorn entertainment plying to thelowest common denominator that is churned out when the bloatedHollywood studio system is working on autopilot.

Actually – this is the movie that makes the normal summer blockbustermovies look like works of literary genius. The critics should have beenaware of the old saying: "Be careful what you wish for – you just mightget it."

5) See a lot of guys giving this a one out of ten, not really fair I feel.To me there are lots of worse movies in all categories. But that said -it's not a top notch movie.

I've never been a fan of director Ron Underwood – he might be decentfor TV but features aren't his strong side in my opinion. You'll noticebest when it comes to the comedy parts (the attempts I should say) andthe actions sequences.

As for comedy, the directing does nothing to enhance the seemingly weakscript. Since comedy seems to be what this movie was to be about andthe pace seems intended to be rather fast – maybe they should have gonefor a director who could make something out of it? The action sequencesare incredibly lame. It resembles grown people playing war withoutsaying "pow pow". Here the director's at a loss as well, which shows insequences as when Randy Quaid's robot character is taking out his twocanons for guns. I take it, this is supposed to be a "cool" shot butthe angle of camera, timing and pace makes it about as cool as whenyour dad hangs up his coat upon returning home from work.

The budget ($100 million allegedly) didn't seem to be a problem and thespecial effects as well as the sets seem pretty well done, along with apretty nice cast (even tiny sub-minute parts are mostly done by actorsyou at least recognize). This must be seen as further critique of thedirector, since he seemed to have all the necessary tools at hand.

The actors put in from a half-hearted to a decent effort. A lot ofgreat character actors (Joe Pantoliano) didn't get enough space to beinteresting and there is a lot of untapped comedy resource in both JayMohr and Eddie Murphy. Though it has to be said – Pam Grier put in whathas to be her worst performance ever as the mother of Eddie Murphy'scharacter. One you can always trust to give his spirit is Luis Guzmán,and he doesn't disappoint in this one either.

All in all I would say there was a weak script to start with, that greweven weaker when it was handed to a director that couldn't handle thesort of comedy it was supposed to be, nor the action it was supposed tocontain. Probably actors underachieved, especially in the comedydepartment, due to this directing. The end result was nor a comedy, noran action – simply a bleak sci-fi that was one of the biggestnet-losses in movie history if I got it right. My guess is that theguys at Warner Brothers probably are killing themselves for not pickinga more suitable director.

6) A lot of reviewers on this site seem to dismiss "Pluto Nash" because itwas a box office failure. I say: So what?! Did you invest money in thismovie? Probably not. And yet, you as viewer, are treated to a -I admit-mediocre story, but with EXCELLENT special effects.

I like to think of "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" as a feel-goodscience fiction. There is no 'deep' philosophical theme going on, butthen again: this film never pretends to be like that. It's just a filmwith a happy ending. Yay!

Here are some things I really enjoyed:

- Low/no gravity battle. Did Star Trek ever do this? Once! Almost everySF film or series ever tries to evade low/no-grav battles. And yet, itlooks so cool! The special effect department did a wonderful job makingthis look realistic.

- Futuristic dancing. I love that! Every decade has it's own sillydances and it's so funny to look at this from an outsiders point ofview. Just like watching 'jumpstyle'.

- John Cleese was a realistic and believable CGI character. I don'tneed to reminds you how awful CGI characters can turn out (Jar JarBinks!). Cleese was a floating projection of a head in a hovercar, buthe was memorable and quotable.

- The gun that goes 'WWWWHHHHhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiii' in an super highpitched tone when it locks on target.

- An android with a personality. Star Trek needed many seasons toestablish the character of Data, but "Pluto Nash" gives us at least oneandroid with a genuine personality. Very nicely integrated into thestory too.

- The music was great. I am personally not really fan of R&B or rap,but I loved the way the music was put into the story:

*The dancing and the 'fast-forward' R&B music were hilarious

*Songs about the moon

*The 'scratching' sounds during fight scenes worked out perfectly

*The up-beat R&B style music was contrasted by some other types ofmusic, like Tony Francis' show and his intro song (when he's wearing akilt). Refreshingly divers.

- Some have said it wasn't funny enough. I think these reviewers arenot getting the subtle humor of this film. If you were hoping forPolice Academy jokes, this might not be for you. The level of sarcasmis higher, e.g.," That's what I love about you. I ask you a simplequestion and four hours later I get a simple answer.")

- The TWIST in the end. In retrospective it makes sense, but it reallycomes as a surprise on the first viewing.

- CGI was great. The Lunar Highway scene, the deserted desert area ofthe moon with Earth in the background, the establishing shot of 'LittleAmerica', the hovercar chase… All very impressive.

This film is getting a lower rating then it should get. There areenough movie references in this film for a film student to write asmall paper about. There are worse films out there like "A Sound ofThunder" that get a higher rating than this film, even though they hada comparable budget yet messed up on the story AND the CGI.

7) There's maybe one laugh (if you're lucky) in this universally-panneddisaster, but that doesn't mean THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH is acomplete loss. Eddie Murphy is the title character, a reformed felonoperating the most successful club in the "Little America" part of theMoon. But after he turns down an offer to sell to a shyster for $10million, the laser bullets begin flying in his direction. Now he andgal pal Rosario Dawson, along with robot bodyguard Randy Quaid, are onthe run.

Murphy is generally appealing, but his comic touch just doesn't jivewith the sci-fi environment. The plot is at times incoherent andsuffers from trying to roll comedy, action and excitement all into one.It's kind of amazing this clunker ever made it beyond the idea phase,particularly with talents such as Murphy and director Ron Underwood(CITY SLICKERS) involved.

What does PLUTO NASH have going for it? Though it's supposed to be acomedy, it actually works to some degree as a sci-fi adventure. Themassive $100 million budget and futuristic setting make for someinteresting visuals. And the picture moves along at a fair pace, with atidy running time of 95 minutes.

For all its flaws, I would not use the term "boring" to describe PLUTONASH. Hollywood has done much better, but it's also done far worse.

This is one of those movies that you read about here on the IMDB, and findthat everyone pans. So you go to see it at the dollar theatre notexpectingto be entertained, but just for the popcorn and pop and to smooch withyourgirlfriend. When you do that, you could be pleasantly surprised. Thismovieis fun, not fantastically funny, but entertaining. Kind of a cross betweenThe Fifth Element and The Milagro Bean Field Wars. Visually, big screenpresence reminiscent of Total Recall. Go in planning not to like it, andyouwill probably end up buying it on previously viewed DVD or videosomeday.

9) It seems that a lot of people went into this movie expecting asidesplittingcomedy. That was not the point of the movie. This movie was rocking goodsci-fi action, with just enough humor to keep it fun without degeneratinginto the usual slapstick retardation. The plot was fun and interesting,andI really liked the way the movie had an atmosphere that melded the futurewith the past. Notice in particular the cool looking vehicles. It was alittle like Total Recall, and also like The Fifth Element, but thisdoesn’tmean it stole from either. It was quite original I think. I recommendthismovie, it is fun and exciting. Just don’t expect a total comedy and lotsofdirty jokes or you will be disappointed. Expect some good sciencefiction,with some genuinely funny moments. I enjoyed this movie a lot. Give it achance, don’t decide what it is and then think it sucks because it’s notwhat you expected.

10) Pluto Nash is the owner of the hottest club on the moon. With theoutlawing of gambling on earth and the potential for it being legalisedon the moon, Nash finds his club to be hotly sought after by the locallunar mobsters. His continued refusal to sell though ultimately seeshis place bombed and his life under threat. With pretty young waitressDina and trusty old robot Bruno in tow, Nash tries to stay alive longenough to get to the man responsible for trying to kill him.

Two things drew me to this film. One was Rosario Dawson, who is as goodan actress as her agent is bad at making decisions on commercial roles– plus she is stunning which is a big part of it. The second was thatthis film was slated as one of the worst ever and indeed was once onthe bottom 100 on this site. Seeing it for myself I was surprised thatit was not that bad but it is no doubt that it is no good at all. Theplot is a bit like Total Recall but with the main difference that TotalRecall was funnier, more exciting and actually very good. Pluto Nash isfull of ideas but it can't do much with any of them other than churnout genre clichés. This wouldn't matter too much if it were funnybecause, after all, this is a film that markets itself as a sci-ficomedy. Sadly though there is not a single laugh in the whole thing andonly one single moment that gave me a very slight chuckle.

This leaves the plot to do most of the work and, while there is a solidsci-fi plot here mostly the film misjudges it and relies too heavily oncoincidence, obvious devices and just plain ol' lapses of logic to makeit move forward. The effects are pretty good and I imagine quiteexpensive. The actors can't do much as they are lost in a comedywithout laughs and a sci-fi without a decent plot or flow. Murphy doesthe usual in these situations and falls back on "big grin ladies man"as his character, it is lazy, tired and, without laughs, tiresome.Dawson also just falls back on her looks but in this film that doesn'tget her very far – it is clear she is not even able to try. Quaid isstuck in a poor robot role with one or two bad gags to work with atbest. Pantoliano has done better but will survive but I'm sure for allthe time they got on this that Guzman, Mohr, Boyle, Grier and Cleeseall wish they could have this expunged from their CV's.

Pluto Nash is not as bad as everyone says – it is just that criticslove to slate things when they get the chance because so many films are"OK" or a "bit sub-par". However this is not me defending it because itisn't any good either. As a sci-fi the effects are good but the plot isa mess of clichés and badly formed ideas. As a comedy it falls evenharder by failing to even have one laugh in the whole damn thing – notone. No wonder the cast are so at sea in this poor star vehicle. Notthe sign of the apocalypse that some suggest but no utter good either.