To call Strange Brew a cult classic is to do it a great disservice. The movie, spawned from SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, on the surface looks like just a lowbrow comedy sketch that ran 90 minutes. But when looking at it further (and listening to the soundtrack album), it becomes obvious that much more thought went into the writing of this movie. It is essentially a modern, beer-filled version of Hamlet. (Get the soundtrack and listen to the track titled 'Shakespeare horked our script', it sheds light on the parallels.) This gives the movie a one-two punch of silly, physical comedy ('Beauty, take it up to thirty this time, eh?') and an interpretation of a classical literary work that critics probably never even see, then kick themselves later for missing it. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas are great in the roles of Bob and Doug McKenzie; their chemistry and timing are excellent, their dialogue and delivery are great, and they are just hilarious. A supporting cast of also-rans fills in the roster, although Paul Dooley (as Claude Elsinore) has done good work, and getting Max von Sydow (as Brewmeister Smith) was a coup. If you're looking for a movie you can laugh at immediately and analyze later, pick this one.
Review of Strange Brew
