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Lucasfilm Ltd.
Universal Pictures
Not part of a collection.
More adventure than humanly possible.
A scientific experiment unknowingly brings extraterrestrial life forms to the Earth through a laser beam. First is the cigar-smoking drake, Howard, from the duck's planet. A few kids try to keep him from the greedy scientists and help him back to his planet, but then a much less friendly being arrives through the beam...
GenerationofSwine
Jan 14, 2023 · via TMDB
It is so cool to hate on this isn't it? So I am giving it a 10, mainly because of all the folks that gave it a 1 to be in the in crowd...and partially because Lucas was right, it stood the test of time. The cult following isn't because it's a bad movie, it's because it's a funny movie. Just because a midget is wearing a duck suit doesn't make it bad. Just because there is duck nudity doesn't make it bad. I mean...we loved it with Team America. It was hysterical then. It's not funny in Howard because you are told not to laugh at it. If you give it a chance it's well worth the admission, for jokes alone.
Wuchak
Nov 24, 2021 · via TMDB
_**The infamous film version of Steve Gerber’s intelligent, wise-cracking waterfowl from another world**_ An English-speaking duck from another planet is somehow transported to Cleveland, Ohio, where he befriends a rock group leader (Lea Thompson). She introduces him to her friend, a quirky lab assistant (Tim Robbins), to figure out what happened, but the situation is complicated when a doctor at the lab is possessed by a “dark overlord of the universe” (Jeffrey Jones). "Howard the Duck" (1986) is the film version of Marvel Comics’ anthropomorphic waterfowl created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik with the Duck’s first appearance being in Adventures into Fear #19 featuring the Man-Thing, which debuted in March, 1974 (cover date Dec. 1973). While the cartoonish character was atypical for Marvel, he was a surprise hit, which led to this movie a dozen years later. It’s made in the mold of “Ghostbusters” (1984) and obviously influenced “Men in Black” (1997), but it’s the least of these and notoriously bombed at the box office. It begins well enough, both intriguing and amusing, but starts to lose its mojo in the second act before spiraling into a loud, frantic last act with loads of colorful special effects. The problem is that, after the first act, the flick abandons the characters for action-oriented zaniness and it loses the attention of the viewer. Creator Steve Gerber plainly said the movie “sucked” and was dissatisfied with the duck’s bland voice and costume. Howard’s face just isn’t animated enough and his eyes are too cute & innocent for Gerber’s ill-tempered, wise-cracking waterfowl. That said, there are enough entertaining elements in the “Ghostbusters” / “Men in black” vein to enjoy the movie to some degree as you revisit 1985 America when it was shot. But you have to be able to accept it as a cinematic alternative to Gerber’s original concept. I’m not big on Lea Thompson, but she’s winsome enough as Beverly on the female front, although she didn’t exactly fit Gerber’s version of the Duck’s babelicious pal. Liz Sagal is also notable as Ronette in a minor role. The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was obviously shot in the Bay area of Northern California, NOT Cleveland, Ohio. GRADE: C
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Lea Thompson
Beverly Switzler
Jeffrey Jones
Dr. Walter Jenning
Tim Robbins
Phil Blumburtt
Ed Gale
Howard T. Duck
Chip Zien
Howard T. Duck (voice)
Tim Rose
Howard T. Duck
Jordan Prentice
Howard T. Duck
Paul Guilfoyle
Lieutenant Welker
Liz Sagal
Ronette
Dominique Davalos
Cal
Holly Robinson Peete
K.C.
Tommy Swerdlow
Ginger Moss
Richard Edson
Ritchie
Miles Chapin
Carter
Richard McGonagle
First Cop
Virginia Capers
Coramae
Debbie Lee Carrington
Additional Ducks (voice)
Miguel Sandoval
Club Owner
Sheldon Feldner
Hot Tub Spa Owner
Paul Comi
Dr. Chapin
James Lashly
State Trooper
David Paymer
Larry, Scientist
William Hall
Hanson
Gary Littlejohn
Third Trucker
Thomas Dolby
Bartender in Rock Club
Kristopher Logan
Punk
John Fleck
Pimples
Nancy Fish
Bag Lady
Monty Hoffman
Club Bouncer
Wood Moy
Chef
Richard Kiley
The Cosmos (voice)
Mel Blanc
Daffy Duck (voice) (archive sound)
Harley Jessup
Assistant Production Design
Paul M. Lane
Stunt Driver
Bob Herron
Stunts
Debbie Lee Carrington
Stunts
Don Ruffin
Stunts
Willard Huyck
Director
Sidney Wolinsky
Editor
Ian Bryce
Associate Producer
George Lucas
Executive Producer
Gloria Katz
Producer
John Barry
Original Music Composer
Thomas Dolby
Songs
Randy Thom
Sound Designer
Ben Burtt
Sound Effects Editor
Ben Burtt
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Randy Thom
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Phil Tippett
Creature Design
Phil Tippett
Visual Effects
Gloria Katz
Screenplay
Willard Huyck
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
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2008 · 14 wins
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1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
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