Johnny Dangerously used to be the most powerful man in the underground. Once. Now gone straight, he runs a pet shop.
Soon a smart alec kid comes around trying to steal a dog. Johnny takes it upon himself to set the kid straight by telling his story... how he was once so powerful, how his kid brother put him away and how his kid brother tried to free him as well.
Johnny Dangerously is a spoof of gangster movies, and starts out great. The laughs don't continue for long, though. The film pulls out all the gangster movie clichés, but doesn't use them to their full potential. A few more gags would do a world of good and make a much better film.
Joe Piscopo, an incomparable character actor, is underutilized in this film. Michael Keaton does an admirable job in the title role but the film still feels like it is missing some kind of key ingredient.
Even with all of the cameo roles and good supporting actors, Johnny Dangerously tries hard, but ultimately falls just short of being a really good gangster spoof. It's Keaton and Piscopo who pick this movie up from 'bomb' to 'good'.
Plot: 
The "telling of the life story by flash-back" theme is tried and true but doesn’t really work well in this film. There are several gags early on that make the movie seem like it will but a laugh-a-minute riot, but they don't last and the movie ends on a downer. With out Piscopo and Keaton, it has nothin'.
Visual Effects:
There is nothing special about Johnny Dangerously in the way of effects, but the few it does are mediocre at best. There is nothing exceptional. Low budget films like this usually have no special effects.
At the beginning of the movie Spy Hard, which spoofs spy movies, "Weird Al" Yankovic, who also sings the main theme song like he did here, actually interacts with the titles, actor names, and swims around. Here, all you here is Yankovic's song against a static background. How boring!
Sound:
Thank GOD for "Weird Al" Yankovic! His theme song, "This is the life," is the best piece of music in the film. Although it is out of left field, and really doesn't have anything to do with the film, it is fun and kinda catchy.
Character Development:
Atmosphere:
A good flick to watch once or twice, but it isn't anything to write home to mom about. It is good for a few laughs, but they die out quickly. Want a real laugh-fest? Plug in The Naked Gun.
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
6/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
08-10-05
