Slappy and the Stinkers

Last updated

Slappy and the Stinkers
Slappy and stinkers.jpg
DVD cover
Directed by Barnet Kellman
Written byRobert Wolterstorff
Mike Scott
Produced by Sidney Sheinberg
Bill Sheinberg
Jonathan Sheinberg
Starring
CinematographyPaul Maibaum
Edited byJeff Wishengrad
Music by Craig Safan
Production
company
Distributed by TriStar Pictures
Release date
  • January 23, 1998 (1998-01-23)
Running time
78 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million
Box office$80,837 [1]

Slappy and the Stinkers is a 1998 American adventure comedy film directed by Barnet Kellman, and written by Robert Wolterstorff and Mike Scott. Starring B. D. Wong and Bronson Pinchot, the plot concerns a group of children who try to save an abused sea lion from a greedy circus owner.

Contents

Plot

At prestigious private school Dartmoor Academy, principal Morgan Brinway is forcing the second-graders to study opera appreciation. Five feisty kids (leader Sonny, contraption making Loaf, movie loving Domino, sympathetic albeit tough Lucy, and the reluctant participating Witz), nicknamed the "Stinkers" by Mr. Brinway, are secretly skipping class to create chaos on the school grounds. Witz becomes the test pilot for a flying chair, one of Sonny's newest ideas. The Stinkers go to Groundskeeper Roy's shed and steal his leaf blower. Before that, they stole Mr. Brinway's desk chair. The Stinkers fail to notice that the leaf blower was not entirely duct taped onto the desk chair. When turned it on, the leaf blower flew off the contraption but left Witz sitting in the chair. The leaf blower was heading straight for Mr. Brinway's new convertible, but the leaf blower ran out of gas before it could destroy the car. However, Roy accidentally obliterates the car's side door with his lawn mower's edging blade. Mr. Brinway warns the Stinkers they will be expelled if they mess up one more time, but they soon rebel while trying to keep a low profile and are involved in even more misadventures.

When the kids discover sea lion Slappy during an aquarium field trip, Sonny and the others decide to free him by smuggling him back onto the school bus and hide him in Mr. Brinway's hot tub; as a form of celebrating their success, they have a party. After Mr. Brinway arrives home earlier than usual, the Stinkers retrieve Slappy and hide him at Witz's house. Roy mistakes the sea lion for a giant gopher and sets out to kill him. Animal broker Anthony Boccoli plans to steal Slappy and sell him to a Bulgarian circus, but some of his attempts to catch Slappy fail.

The next day, the Stinkers take Slappy with them to the beach so they can set him free, but Slappy refuses to leave. The kids discover there was an orca (which they assume is Willy from Free Willy ) swimming nearby and that's why Slappy didn't want to go in the water since orcas eat sea lions. Sonny decides they should return Slappy to the aquarium, but they have to first attend a festival at Dartmoor. Roy tries to dispose of Slappy which causes the festival attractions to get ruined. Assuming this was caused by the Stinkers, Mr. Brinway expels them. The Stinkers discover that Boccoli kidnapped Slappy, which prompts the kids to set off on a rescue mission.

The group locates Boccoli's hideout and disposes of him by squirting him with water, blowing sawdust onto his body and shooting him with Roy's gopher bomb gun. After saving Slappy, the Stinkers get chased by Boccoli. Mr. Brinway and the class go on a hiking field trip to look at birds, which gets interrupted when the Stinkers crash through and Mr. Brinway becomes part of the getaway. After being chased to a log flume, the Stinkers and Mr. Brinway escape Boccoli by going down it; Boccoli tries to drown the group by turning on the flume, but the water is blocked by a beaver's nest and once he removes it, a beaver bites him and the water splashes him, causing him to slide down the spillway. The Stinkers, Slappy and Mr. Brinway safely land into the lake below, whereas Boccoli falls onto a floating log. Roy, who is also the school bus driver, ties a rope around Boccoli. Slappy is returned to the aquarium, Mr. Brinway withdraws the Stinkers' expulsion and they become heroes.

Cast

Production

Production of the film was announced by TriStar Pictures and The Bubble Factory alongside The Pest as two projects the companies would produce. Under the terms of a contract between The Bubble Factory and Universal Studios, the production company could automatically greenlight three to four pictures – budgeted at about $8 million to $35 million each – per year for Universal to distribute. Both this film and The Pest fell below Universal's threshold and became a first-look pact. Sony fully financed both films. [2]

The film was partially shot at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. [3]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 0% rating based on reviews from 4 critics. [4]

Roger Ebert's review gave the film 2 stars and commented: "Slappy and the Stinkers filled me with shreds of hope: Was it possible that this movie, about five kids who kidnap a sea lion, would not be without wit?" [5]

Variety found that "Filled to the gills with slapstick humor, the improbably titled “Slappy and the Stinkers” could well have been sold as “The Little Rascals” meets “Free Willy.”' [6] In a review for The New York Times , Lawrence van Gelder stated, "On a dark winter's day, other 7-year-olds whose film memory bank remains similarly and understandably undernourished may find "Slappy and the Stinkers" a welcome alternative to an afternoon of snow-filled galoshes." [7] while TV Guide's retrospective review was more negative: "Kids still young enough to be hooked on Saturday morning cartoons may enjoy this self-consciously cliché-ridden kiddie flick, but it will be torture for their adult chaperones." [8] The Catholic News and Herald called it "rarely amusing and anything but cute." [9]

Another even more negative review described the film as follows: "Slappy and the Stinkers is the kind of generic-brand, pseudo-Disney children's comedy that you'll see playing on the VCR in a pediatrician's waiting room, and which will one day be logged into evidence after a receptionist loses her mind from watching it all day and murders someone. It was conjured into existence, perhaps using dark magicks, after the success of Free Willy made marine animals all the rage in Hollywood." [10]

Box office

The film received a limited theatrical release, and made $34,488 in its first weekend of three weeks of theatrical exhibition. It earned a total box office gross of $80,837. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keiko (orca)</span> Male orca (1976–2003)

Keiko was a male orca captured in the Atlantic Ocean near Iceland in 1979. He was best known for his portrayal of Willy in the 1993 film Free Willy. In 1996, Warner Bros. and the International Marine Mammal Project collaborated to return Keiko to the wild. After years of preparing Keiko for reintegration, Keiko was flown to Iceland in 1998 and in 2002, became the first captive orca to be fully released back into the ocean. On 12 December 2003, he died of pneumonia in a bay in Norway at the age of 27.

Joseph Ashton is an American former child actor, who was best known for his role as Oswald "Otto" Rocket in Nickelodeon's animated series Rocket Power.

<i>Big Daddy</i> (1999 film) 1999 film directed by Dennis Dugan

Big Daddy is a 1999 American comedy-drama film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Steve Franks, Tim Herlihy, and Adam Sandler from a story conceived by Franks, and produced by Sid Ganis and Jack Giarraputo. The film stars Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, and Leslie Mann, with Allen Covert and Josh Mostel in supporting roles. The plot follows a 32-year-old man who gets dumped by his girlfriend for not accepting responsibility and then tries to be responsible by adopting a five-year-old boy who appears on his doorstep.

<i>Free Willy</i> 1993 family drama film

Free Willy is a 1993 American family drama film, directed by Simon Wincer, produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Jennie Lew Tugend, written by Keith A. Walker and Corey Blechman from a story by Walker and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures under their Family Entertainment imprint. The film stars Jason James Richter in his film debut, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg, and Michael Madsen with the eponymous character, Willy, played by Keiko.

<i>Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home</i> 1995 American film

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home is a 1995 American family adventure drama film directed by Dwight Little from a screenplay by Karen Janszen, Corey Blechman and John Mattson. It is the sequel to the 1993 film Free Willy and second installment in the Free Willy film series distributed by Warner Bros. under their Warner Bros. Family Entertainment label. Jason James Richter, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg, Michael Madsen and Mykelti Williamson reprise their roles from the first film. New cast members include Jon Tenney and Elizabeth Peña. Unlike the previous film where Keiko played Willy, a robotic double created by Edge Innovations was used to play the eponymous whale while the Free Willy Keiko Foundation devised a plan to bring Keiko to the Oregon Coast Aquarium where he would be rehabilitated from poor health. However, Keiko did make an uncredited appearance, reprising his role as Willy through an archival clip shown in the movie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Coast Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Newport, Oregon

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is an aquarium in Newport in the U.S. state of Oregon. Opened in 1992, the facility sits on 23 acres (9.3 ha) along Yaquina Bay near the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium was home to Keiko, the orca who starred in the movie Free Willy, from January 7, 1996, until September 9, 1998, when he was shipped to Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. USA Today considers the Oregon Coast Aquarium world-class and Coastal Living magazine ranks it among the top ten aquariums in North America.

<i>Dougs 1st Movie</i> 1999 animated film directed by Maurice Joyce

Doug's 1st Movie is a 1999 American animated comedy film based on the Disney-produced episodes of the Nickelodeon television series Doug. The film was directed by Maurice Joyce, and stars the regular television cast of Tom McHugh, Fred Newman, Chris Phillips, Constance Shulman, Frank Welker, Alice Playten, Guy Hadley, and Doris Belack. Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation and Jumbo Pictures with animation provided by Plus One Animation, it was released by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution under its Walt Disney Pictures label on March 26, 1999. The film serves as a finale for the Doug TV show. An accompanying Mickey Mouse Works short "Donald's Dynamite: Opera Box" was released with the film.

<i>Revolution</i> (1985 film) 1985 film

Revolution is a 1985 British historical drama film directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Robert Dillon, and starring Al Pacino, Donald Sutherland, and Nastassja Kinski. The film stars Pacino as a fur trapper in the Province of New York who involuntarily gets enrolled in the Revolutionary forces during the American Revolutionary War.

<i>The Sandlot</i> 1993 film by David Mickey Evans

The Sandlot is a 1993 American coming-of-age sports comedy film co-written, directed, and narrated by David Mickey Evans. It tells the story of a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. It stars Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Karen Allen, Denis Leary, and James Earl Jones. The movie is set in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, CA and the filming locations were in Midvale, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, Utah. It grossed $34 million worldwide and has since become a cult film.

<i>Vegas Vacation</i> 1997 family comedy film by Stephen Kessler

Vegas Vacation is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Stephen Kessler in his feature directorial debut. It is the fourth installment in National Lampoon’s Vacation film series, and was written by Elisa Bell, based on a story by Bell and Bob Ducsay. The film stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Wayne Newton, Ethan Embry, and Wallace Shawn. It tells the story of Clark Griswold taking his family to Las Vegas to renew his vows to Ellen as the series' usual hilarity occurs. The film opened at #4 at the box office and grossed over $36.4 million domestically. Vegas Vacation is the first theatrical Vacation film not to carry the National Lampoon label or a screenwriting credit from John Hughes. Also, this is the only National Lampoon film to be released in the 1990s and the final film released before National Lampoon magazine folded. this was also the last Vacation movie to be released until New Line Cinema, a production company of Warner Bros, produced a reboot that was released 18 years later in 2015.

<i>B.A.P.S.</i> 1997 female buddy comedy film by Robert Townsend

B.A.P.S is a 1997 American female buddy comedy film directed by Robert Townsend and starring Halle Berry, Natalie Desselle, and Martin Landau. The film was written by Troy Byer and was her first screenplay. The film received largely negative reviews from critics, although it has since been considered a cult classic, especially for Black Hollywood. In total it earned $7.3 million at the box office worldwide.

Spencer Breslin is an American actor. Breslin has appeared in the feature films Disney's The Kid, The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, Return to Neverland, Zoom, The Cat in the Hat, Raising Helen, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, The Shaggy Dog, Harold, The Happening, and Perfect Sisters. His television credits include Teamo Supremo, Stephen King's Storm of the Century, and Law & Order.

<i>Mr. Magoo</i> (film) 1997 American comedy film

Mr. Magoo is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Hong Kong film veteran Stanley Tong and written by Pat Proft and Tom Sherohman. Based on UPA's cartoon of the same name, it was produced by Walt Disney Pictures, and stars Leslie Nielsen as the title character, alongside Kelly Lynch, Matt Keeslar, Nick Chinlund, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ernie Hudson, Jennifer Garner and Malcolm McDowell.

<i>Hoot</i> (film) 2006 film

Hoot is a 2006 American family comedy film, based on Carl Hiaasen's novel of the same name. It was written and directed by Wil Shriner, and produced by New Line Cinema and Walden Media. The film stars Luke Wilson, Logan Lerman, Brie Larson, Tim Blake Nelson, Neil Flynn and Robert Wagner. Filming took place from July to September 2005 in Florida, with additional shooting in California the following January. The film was released on May 5, 2006. Hoot was a commercial failure, and received negative reviews from critics.

<i>Free Willy 3: The Rescue</i> 1997 American film

Free Willy 3: The Rescue is a 1997 American family film directed by Sam Pillsbury and written by John Mattson. Released by Warner Bros. under their Warner Bros. Family Entertainment banner, it is the sequel to Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home in addition to being the third film in the Free Willy franchise and final installment of the original storyline as well as the last to be released theatrically. Jason James Richter and August Schellenberg reprise their roles from the previous films while Annie Corley, Vincent Berry and Patrick Kilpatrick joined the cast. The story revolves around Jesse and Randolph attempting to stop a group of whalers, led by its ruthless captain, from illegally hunting Willy while secretly receiving help from an unlikely source involving the captain's young son after an accident changed his view on whales.

<i>Free Willy</i> (TV series) TV series or program

Free Willy is an animated television series, inspired by the 1993 film of the same name. This television show was produced by Warner Bros. Television, Regency Enterprises, and the Canadian company Nelvana for Warner Bros. Studios.

Run Wild, Run Free is a 1969 British drama film directed by Richard C. Sarafian and starring John Mills. The film was written by David Rook, based on his novel The White Colt, and shot on location in Dartmoor, Devon, England.

<i>Me Time</i> (film) 2022 film by John Hamburg

Me Time is a 2022 American buddy comedy film written and directed by John Hamburg. The film stars Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, Regina Hall, Luis Gerardo Méndez, and Jimmy O. Yang. It is about a stay-at-home dad as he finds himself with some "me time" for the first time in years while his wife and kids are away. He reconnects with his former best friend Huck for a wild weekend that nearly upends his life.

References

  1. 1 2 "Slappy and the Stinkers (1998) Box Office Mojo".
  2. ↑ Variety Staff (November 9, 1995). "TriStar To Distrib 2 Bubble Pix". Variety . Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ Schaadt, Mike; Mastro, Ed (2008). San Pedro's Cabrillo Beach. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   978-0-7385-5997-1.
  4. ↑ "Slappy and the Stinkers". Rotten Tomatoes . January 23, 1998. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ Ebert, Roger (1998). Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 1999. Andrews McMeel Pub. ISBN   978-0-8362-6831-7.
  6. ↑ Loewenstein, Lael (January 20, 1998). "Slappy and the Stinkers". Variety. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ "'Slappy and the Stinkers': Kids Freeing a Sea Lion". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Slappy and the Stinkers". TVGuide.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Videos". The Catholic news & herald [serial]. Charlotte, NC : Cathedral Pub. Corp. April 10, 1998. p. 7. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Eric's Bad Movies: Slappy and the Stinkers (1998)". MTV. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.