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"The Incredible Mr. Limpet" script review
05 Jan 1999 Review by BCDavis (1/4/99)
"The Incredible Mr. Limpet"
Written by: Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick
Script Date: March 14, 1997
"I wish, I wish, I wish I were a fish… 'cause fishes have a better life than people."
Here we are with Jim's next flick on the roster: the remake of the classic Don Knotts comedy of the same name. If you're looking for major spoilers, you’ve come to the wrong place. Buuuut, we do have to answer a few questions along the way, so, I guess minor spoilers would count:
Q1: They're saying it's going to be "updated" for today? Yup. It sure has been, but it's a good thing. It doesn't detract from the original in any way - it just gives it a new spin. The writing is tight - a solid comedy. The script reads as though the authors had Jim Carrey in mind to be in this movie, although, there are often times that Mr. Limpet plays the straight man - and it works beautifully. The script is crafted for both children and adults - there are jokes for kids - as well as some jokes obviously meant for the "older kid." There are elements from the original that remain: the US Navy and Mr. Limpet teaming up to save the day is a big one, but there are no Nazis in sight. Some of the changes include exactly HOW Limpet changes from human to fish. Think "Nutty Professor."
Q2: Are there going to be a lot of FX needed? Um, yeah. But with today's technology backing this film, it is going to be a film that can blow everybody away. Jim Carrey says it'll be "photo-realistic." The underwater scenes are going to be a lot of fun to watch. And another aspect some folks forget about is the interaction of "live-action" with computer animation. There are plenty of scenes of Limpet (and fishy friends) with humans (like the Navy).
Q3: What does Mr. Limpet look like? Well... he looks like Jim. Oh! You mean the fish! Well, the script doesn't really go into tons of detail. I mean, I know we’re all dying to see "the fish." But, really, none of us here know for sure. The best place to get an idea would be the original film. The fish has got fins, gills, Jim Carrey's face, and yes the glasses are included. He makes that supersonic honking noise (like in the original). Oh... and he smells like "Old Spice."
Q4: Whose all in this movie? Jim Carrey as the Incredible Mr. Larry (not Henry) Limpet, and Don Knotts in a cameo. That's all we know at this point. Other characters: (returning from the original) George Limpet, Larry's brother from the Navy; (minorly changed from the original) Larry's human girlfriend Susan; Larry's fish love interest, Anglefish; assorted Navy personnel; bunches of aquatic life forms; (totally changed from the original) the bad guy, Dr. Genet Malle. It still remains to be seen if they'll change Limpet's name back to Henry or not.
Q5: What’s the story line? A nerdy (think Stanley Ipkiss meets The Nutty Professor) fish lover turns himself into a fish, and ends up joining the Navy to save both the world of "air-breathers" and world of aquatic life forms. Boy - how'd that look on a resume! No indication that it'll have a few musical numbers, but there is an underwater dance-type sequence.
I think that about covers it. Personally, we can't wait for this film to come out. The year of 1999 looks to be shaping up to be a fine one for Carreyholics...
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