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'Scorched' is an extremely difficult movie to label. It's a movie about robbing a bank, but not really. It's a movie (somewhat similar to 'Office Space'), about a regularish group of disgruntled employees who let their ethics slide a bit, but not really. You could actually make quite a number of similar statements about it. However you label it, it's a pretty funny movie and an entertaining way to spend an evening, even if it is rather flawed and pedestrian. ***

The story basically involves three bank tellers: Sheila (Alicia Silverstone), 'Woods' (Woody Harrelson), and Stu (Paulo Costanzo). Each of these bank tellers, though seemingly perfectly upstanding employees, formulates a separate plan to rob the bank over the same weekend. Sheila, who was just dumped by the bank's manager, formulates her plan to get revenge on him, predicting if that the bank is robbed it will be the end of his job. Stu is, young man that he is, irritated into doing it by his best friend. 'Woods', on the other hand, is not robbing the bank exactly. He's formulated his scheme as revenge against a local millionaire (John Cleese), so he's only going to rob his personal deposit box. We follow our collection of misfits about for a while, and get the story of their plans. ***

Partially a gag movie ('Woods' has to hide in the millionaire's pantry after escaping a pint-sized, yappy dog), 'Scorched' manages a good deal of fun, and the overall story is solidly entertaining. The main problem is that the script lags quite a bit in several spots. By the time we reach the end we're fairly satisfied, but during the movie we occasionally come dangerously close to losing interest. A sub-plot involving two of Stu's friends takes up far too much screentime, and just before the capers start things come to a grinding halt as we focus far too much on pointing out the obvious. Still, there are some laughs, or at least hearty chuckles, and it certainly isn't time completely wasted. ***

The real mystery is how director Grazer, and writers Joe and Max Wein (all of virtually no experience) managed to get so many big names into their low-budget film. There's certainly a story there, and the fact that I don't know it will tell you a lot about the movie. It was fun, and it was even fun to see some of these actors in something which allowed them a bit of a goof, but it wasn't nearly enough to spark me to find out what that story is. ***

Things come together for our protagonists, and it's rather a cute trick, but, "not too bad," is about all you'll be able to manage at the end. John Cleese chasing people down the street with a shotgun is worth the price of admission, but the writing between gags falters terribly, and ultimately this is one you'll almost watch every few years because you'll have forgotten it.

The picture quality is actually quite good on this release, and as seems to be the norm, if a movie is released in both formats on one disc, it's probably because you aren't going to miss much with the fullscreen version. The colors are sharp, and there are very few technical flaws. There is no edge loss, flesh tones are very nice, and there are very few contrast problems. What flaws do exist, and there are some, will likely go unnoticed. This is a low-budget piece, and not anything with a lot to speak of visually to begin with. ***

The sound is also pretty good, though there isn't much sound design. About the only surround play you're going to get is in the opening sequence when a radio-control plane buzzes around. Dialogue is clear, and though there were a few spots of strange level drops, these are hardly likely to be noticed either. Apart from dialogue there isn't much sound to worry about in this sort of film anyway, and few gunshots are about the only thing possible to play with. -

'Scorched' is actually a fine movie in many ways, and there are certainly far worse. On another day I might speak a bit more positively of it, but it's that sort of movie. Had the script been played with a bit more, it might easily have knocked out some of the kinks and been a fine movie. The DVD is pretty bare, and offers no special enticements, but it's a solid presentation.

Marc Eastman

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