The Mumbo Jumbo (2000) Reviews

• Doesn't quite work, but has its moments

  RuthFW2002-06-06

  This film does not work on so many levels. It would have benefitted from some additional editing; some scenes and jokes, instead of coming off as wacky British humor, just seemed tacked on or inappropriate. This film probably was aiming to be the next "Time Bandits" (which several of the crew worked on, and which was used as a point of comparison in early publicity) and missed the mark. The film can't seem to decide if it is aiming for kids or the adult market: the kiddie show fantasy plot doesn't meld well with references to SM, unfunny double entendres about giant vegetables (see above) and jokes about pubic hair. The film just doesn't hang together; there are a couple of plot holes and there was a dance number tacked on the end that really didn't belong there at all, though I did enjoy it. The music ranges from all right to saccharine and painfully low budget. That said, there are several very good British character actors in this, notably Joss Ackland and John Inman (of "Are You Being Served?"), who were a joy to watch, and the costumes are delightful, with good attention to detail. Richard O'Brien wasn't given much to do, but seemed to enjoy doing it, and Brian Blessed happily boomed his way through the film as the villain. Overall, this film is interesting as an oddity and is worth picking up if you're a fan of British character actors or any of the principals; the cast contains a former game show host and Page 3 girl; a former Dr. Who, and of course, the creator of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, so while you may be bewildered, you won't be bored.