Be Kind Rewind is a video store where Mike (Mos Def) works for Mr Fletcher (Danny Glover). His friend Jerry (Jack Black) works in an auto garage/junkyard next to a power plant he blames for his paranoia and imagined brain tumour. After an attempt to sabotage the plant, Jerry's brain becomes magnetized. Unintentionally, he destroys every tape in his friends store. To keep from disappointing his loyal customers and his boss, Mike recruits Jerry to help him remake the lost films, which include Rush hour 2, The Lion King and Robocop. Soon after, the store is shut down and threatened with copyright infractions. The junkyard soon becomes the community studio as the neighbourhood pitches in to create a film based on tall tales of a local jazz legend in hopes of saving Be Kind Rewind.
Special Agent Matti
Be kind rewind is kind of weak. It starts with a feeble premise (human beings don't contain enough metal to become magnetised - just try sticking yourself to a fridge magnet) then wanders around looking for a plot. You get the feeling that Michael Gondry came up with the idea of Z-grade guerrilla filmmakers remaking big-budget Hollywood movies then tried to fit a story around it.
There are moments of funniness but you'd be best served by getting stoned before you see this film. [The Cinematic Intelligence Agency does not endorse the use of illicit substances. Any such substances should be forwarded to the Director of Intelligence for immediate disposal. - Director of Intelligence.]
The comedy movie Be kind rewind is directed by Michel Gondry and stars Jack Black, Mia Farrow, Danny Glover.
PG (Mild coarse language and sexual references)
100 minutes (1:40 hours)
Film: 20 March 2008
