Last week, the entertainment world lost “the immortal"Hulk Hoganat the age of 71. In the aftermath,a wave of nostalgia has swept through, evoking memories ofhis lasting legacy in the wrestling business. The same cannot be said for his film career, however. Between 1989’s wrestling-themed action filmNo Holds Barredand several straight-to-video pictures, the Hulkster never made a sizable impact on the film industry like hisRocky IIIco-starSylvester Stallone. But when he was allowed to be himself in 1991’sSuburban Commando,his larger-than-life image added to the guilty pleasure campiness of a Hollywood blockbuster.
The power of Hulkamania was virtually unshakable for Hogan as a movie star. So, he dipped his toe into family comedy fare akin toHoward the Duck,Spaceballs, andEncino Man. Originally considered as anArnold SchwarzeneggerandDanny DeVitoprojectbefore teaming up forTwins,Suburban Commandowas slammed by critics, such asRoger Ebert, for being limited material for a star with limited acting ability. Despite the dismissal, what this sci-fi comedy is most remembered for is Hogan’s charm and the golden performance by co-starChristopher Lloyd.
‘Suburban Commando’ Was a Star Vehicle for Hulk Hogan
After failing to rescue the leader of a planet in the far reaches of space, intergalactic warrior Shep Ramsey (Hogan) gets ordered by his superior to take time off. Damaging the controls in his spaceship out of frustration,Ramsey crash-lands on Earth and gets lost in a world full of skateboarding kids, mimes, and arcades that resemble old battles he had.Soon, Ramsey crosses paths with meek family man Charlie Wilcox (Lloyd), who allows the musclebound hero to rent his shed for the next few days until his ship becomes operational.
As Ramsey adjusts to Earth life through various encounters with human personalities, Charlie becomes suspicious of his new tenant’s identity and discovers both the spaceship and his armory. The reactivation of the ship causes Ramsey’s whereabouts to be discovered by two silent intergalactic bounty hunters (Mark “The Undertaker” CalawayandTony Longo) sent by his nemesis, General Suitor (William Ball).With Charlie’s family now in danger, he has to muster the courage to aid Ramsey in defeating his foes.
Hulk Hogan’s Highest Rotten Tomatoes Rated Movie Ever Officially Has a New Streaming Home
You’ll be able to stream it very soon.
The entertainment value ofSuburban Commandocomes out of Hogan simply being himselfwith his feats of strength and bonding with Lloyd’s children, like the wrestling superhero he was to fans in theWWE. He’s never trying to give a traditional acting performance, which the movie fully accepts because it’s essentially aCrocodile Dundee-type adventure full of mishaps and misunderstanding hijinks. There are recurring gags of Ramsey helping a young girl (Elisabeth Mossin her first movie role) get her cat out of a tree, as well as his comedic physical assault on a mime artist. It’s plainly obvious thatSuburban Commandowas never going to earn the respect of professional critics, as the overall picture is clearly made to appeal to Hogan’s young fan base at the time. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great deal of fun with it.
The Campy, Wakcy Tone Is Grounded by a Great Performance From Christopher Lloyd
When it comes to the fantasy elements ofSuburban Commando,director Burt Kennedy goes for the classic‘50s sci-fi B-movieapproach.The low-rent quality of the special effects resembles the movie-within-a-movie one would see in aJoe Dantefilm. The opening sequence of Ramsey battling the General’s men on a large spaceship takes its cues fromStar Warswithout the high budget. Then there’s Ramsey’s overkill metallic space hero suit that gives the Hulkster a futuristic look, as well as his use of a recycled P.K.E. Meter fromGhostbustersas his homing device. Even the final battle with the General in his mutated form gives off vibes ofCreature from the Black Lagoon.
Much like his in-ring persona,Hogan only performs at two speeds: Fully animated during “intense” moments and down-to-earth in his interactions with kids in the film. While Hogan has nothing but his charisma to go by,the true star ofSuburban Commandois Lloyd, who comes off as a domesticated Doc Brown fromBack to the Future. His story arc is far more relatable due to the pressures of pleasing his wife (The Shining’sShelley Duvall) and standing up to his self-centered architect boss (Larry Miller). But upon learning about Hogan’s intergalactic background, Lloyd dials up the fun factor once Charlie becomes Ramsey’s reluctant sidekick while giving a down-to-earth performance away from Hogan’s antics. Whether he’s awkwardly donning Ramsey’s metallic costume out of curiosity or getting into a heated argument with the space warrior after getting “frozen” by the enemy bounty hunters, the nervous reactions of Lloyd’s Charlie and his ultimate evolution into a man willing to stand up for himself giveSuburbanCommandosome narrative substance.
If anyone wants to remember Hogan for putting smiles on faces and for being such a big man with a superhero-like quality,Suburban Commandois a must-watch. Elevated by Christopher Lloyd’s performance, it’s a fun throwback to the pure ’80s brand of wacky sci-fi.
Suburban Commando
