Off the Mark (1987) User Reviews

Off the Mark

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 25 September 2023]

Also known as Crazy Legs, this was directed by Bill Berry, who also directed Brotherhood of Death, and who co-wrote this with Temple Matthews.

Howard Markel (Mark Neely) and Dmitri (David D'Arnal) knew each other back when the Russian runner was studying as an exchange student in America. But now, they're grown up and facing off in the Plutonium Man Triathlon. This movie, however, is kind of like a Zucker brothers movie with rapid fire sight gags but because it's not made by the Zuckers, it isn't as punchy. But you know, it's surprisingly funny in parts.

It does have Terry Farrell from Back to School - and Jadzia Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - as Howard's love interest. He's going to need her and his black friend who wants to be white named Johnny B. White (Clarence Gilyard Jr.) if he wants to beat Dmitri, who stole his dog Shep when they were young. Also: he is handicapped and runs in what is assumed to be a very comical manner.

Off the Mark doesn't get mentioned much when it comes to 80s comedies. Maybe you'll watch it and get a new favorite.

This film rules

[SmileyGreg17 · 2 June 2000]

Have any of you ever thought... I can make a cool comedy after seeing some great one like airplane or naked gun (pretty much anything with Leslie Neilson in it). If I made a comedy, i think it'd be just like this. Any opportunity this film gets to poke fun... it does, & does well. This said, unlike many comedies, it holds its plot well (which incidentially revolves around the breasts of the lead guys girlfriend, not that there's anything wrong with this), and has a few classic lines. My favourite involved the alcoholic coach and the so called '6 pack'. This film is great. if you ever see it, snap it up & you won't regret it.

Crazy Legs

[d_m_s · 3/10 · 20 March 2018]

Having waited years to see this after having seen the trailer on an old VHS, I finally got to view it on youtube.

It was good up until about half way, at which point the story and jokes wore thin for me. I didn't manage to finish it in one sitting and haven't felt compelled to return to it either. Shame.

It has its issues, but overall this is pretty fun and better than not

[I_Ailurophile · 7/10 · 19 November 2023]

Some farcical ridiculousness right out of the gate; some tacky ableism, classism, racism, xenophobia, and sexism, too, and for good measure, extra egregious notes of transphobia. Some lighthearted silliness, some parody of sports commentary, culture, and movies, some juvenile jokes about sex or anatomy. Fun-loving mirth, overused sound or music cues, plain old cruelty that's intended as humor: in absolutely no time 'Off the mark' throws a lot at us and shows that it's a very mixed bag. Some bits are clever and might inspire a smile or even a soft laugh; other bits haven't aged well and were never appropriate in the first place. On the one hand the first very first impression it makes isn't great; on the other hand, as the length advances more of filmmaker Bill Berry's wit begins to shine through. We're fed a steady stream of gags, exaggerated characters and reactions, upended expectations, physical comedy, sharp dialogue, and situational humor, and the dispensation varies from simply tawdry, to gently amusing, to earnestly funny, to completely over the top.

Suffice to say that the picture is wildly uneven, and from one moment to the next it may switch on a dime from entertaining to obnoxious. Yet while I absolutely had my doubts, and the end result is imperfect, I do think on the balance that this is better than not. For as much as its value fluctuates over eighty minutes, at its best this is delightful, and over time that proves to be the dominant mood. And even when an idea doesn't come off well, I appreciate the minor ingenuity of the countless gags that get tossed in. All along the way those operating behind the scenes were kept very busy, for the cornucopia in the writing demands an enormous variety of costume changes, hair and makeup, sets, props, stunts and effects, sound and music cues, snappy editing and cinematography, and more. The script (and Berry's direction) likewise demand a lot of the cast, too, and bless them for unreservedly embracing all the nonsense herein. Terry Farrell is the only actor here I'm specifically familiar with, but all others on hand - including and not limited to Mark Neely, Clarence Gilyard Jr., and Norman Alden - are just as terrific in leaning into the frivolousness.

It would have taken nothing away from the finished product had Berry reined in some of his worst impulses; on the contrary, 'Off the mark' would have unquestionably benefited and been more enjoyable if not for the utmost absurdities, and especially the tasteless punching down. With all this firmly in mind, it speaks well to the skill and intelligence of all involved that this still manages to succeed as much as it does, and earn as many laughs as it does. The feature definitely has its issues, but I suppose none any worse than a lot of other comedies from the 80s in particular. This is no must-see in any capacity, but it does turn out to be a pretty good time overall, and is surely most suggested for those who are huge fan of someone or other that's involved. One should be well aware of the film's faults before sitting to watch, but if you do have the chance to check it out, 'Off the mark' is solid enough to earn a soft recommendation.

What a great movie!!

[glory-8 · 10/10 · 15 March 2000]

I was browsing in the video shop with some friends when one of us came across this movie. It was called "Crazylegs", which you have to agree, is a much better name than "Off The Mark". The cover of the video was so enchanting that we snapped it up there and then and rushed home to watch it. Displaying all the hallmarks of classic '86 humour, and the acting to go with it, this is a fun movie with a touching storyline. An extremely underrated movie with heart.

Off the Mark is right on target

[gscheyd · 9/10 · 7 June 2004]

First of all, I apologize for the one line summary of my comments; it was just too obvious a line to pass up. Anyway,I used to catch this movie once or twice a year on USA Up All Night back in the early 90's, and I'm deeply appreciative to the folks at USA for showing this overlooked gem. It's very much in the style of the Zucker Bros., but doesn't have anywhere near the popular following of, say, The Naked Gun. I guess technically it doesn't qualify as a classic, since most people have never heard of it, but it ought to garner the attention that the Zucker Brothers' movies have deservedly received. It's loaded with brilliant one-liners, sight gags, and good old-fashioned silliness. I highly recommend it to anyone who liked Airplane!, The Naked Gun, Hot Shots, or Top Secret (and if you missed any of those, you should see them too). There are only a few comedies that I would give a 10 out of 10 (Airplane, This Is Spinal Tap, and Woody Allen's Take the Money and Run), but Off the Mark is definitely a solid 9.

Got lucky to find this 80's Gem

[zep-3 · 8/10 · 30 June 2010]

Ran across Off the Mark by mistake while looking up something else so i looked it up on IMDb and based on all the great write-ups decided to track down a new VHS copy(there is no DVD). I Have to say all the positive reviews were right on,this is a very funny obscure 80's film.It's a silly film with not a whole lot of plot and the comedy is indeed in the Airplane style of rapid fire sight and word gags.While its not as awesome as Airplane (what is???) it is much better than most of the wannabe's that came after it.There are some clever gags that are executed well and the writing is pretty good.The actors all do a nice job,especially Clarence Gilyard and Shep the dog.Gotta love Shep! A young Terry Ferrell looks awesome in her skimpy outfits,i had forgotten how good looking she was.After almost an hour,i was wondering why in the world this movie was rated R.There was no Nudity,Violence or bad language-a solid PG-and then all of the sudden...out of nowhere came an awesome (*but short*) girls locker room scene with loads of nice bare breasts.Still not really worth an R. Get this movie,you'll love it. Zep

Best 80s movie for Terry Farrell

[captainqvc · 10/10 · 29 July 2023]

It's was very funny and sad because the film has no right for the teen racing comedy for Terry Farrell for casting a Janell but this is her last 80s movie right before she get into the 90s era. But she will do a commercial in 1990 for once and she'll do a TV show for the whole audience. Maybe she'll be all right for her movies and TV show right before Megan Ward is in Crash and Burn. Terry is a beautiful actress and model in the future. But she is a good friend of all the people she work with all the time throughout the years. She is a Trill in Star Trek Deep Space Nine. And she'll be all right for now.

Whatever happened to Jake Blackschmidt?

[lionman1299 · 2 February 2018]

He had a short but very appealing part in Hollywood Shuffle, and he was in this as Jesus but we could only see him for a brief second from the back. I think that is all the movies he made. Mr. Blackschmidt, I don't know what happened to you, but if you are reading this, I hope you have had a good life.