Posted January 30, 200322 yr MOVIE: FREE ENTERPRISE (1999) RATED: R (strong language, brief nudity) MY RATING: *** out of 4 HOW OTHER(S) RATED IT: *** out of 4 (Leonard Maltin) Summary: A few days in the life of two "Star Trek" fans who meet their idol William Shatner and discover he is not the hero they think he is in real life. Mark (played by TV Will and Grace's Eric McCormick) is a sci-fi magazine editor who approaches turning 30 with dread, even having Logan's Run nightmares about it (for those who dont know - Logan's Run was a 1970's sci-fi film starring Michael York of current Austin Powers fame (Basil) about a futuristic society who either "renews" or "cancels" its citizens based on their worth when they turn 30). Robert (Rafer Weigel) is Mark's friend, a B-movie film editor who takes no responsibility for his actions and lives like a child with all of his toys (He spent all his rent money on buying a factory sealed 1977 Mego Mighty Isis action figure). One day, they have a chance encounter with their idol, WIlliam Shatner, who comes to them with a movie premise that the major film studios have passed on. His idea: To make a musical movie adaption of Julius Caesar in which he would sing and play all the parts. STRENGTHS: If you loved Clerks, you'll like this movie. It is crammed full of '60's, '70's, and '80's pop culture, comic books, sci-fi TV, and sci-fi movie references (and they do not explain what they are from unless you enable the option on the DVD SPecial Features page) from Star Wars and Star Trek to Planet of the Apes and Space:1999 just to name a few. It does help if you have a little bit of knowledge of some basic Star Trek and STar Wars lore. Shatner is hilarious as he makes fun of himself and his alter ego. There are a lot of personal jabs at him and he laughs it off, specifically a scene where Shatner admits that unlike Captain Kirk he does not make friends as easily to which Mark replies, "Yeah, just ask your old crew members about that one...Ohh, shouldn't have said that.."..The writing and references to sci-fi are very creatively used. At one point Mark uses a Captain Kirk speech to get a girl to go back to dating Robert Weaknesses: A few slow spots towards the end and some of the acting is weak in some scenes... Overall: A very funny movie and worth seeing if you are into sci-fi movies and pop culture.You might have to see it twice to catch all the references...Recommended
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