Howard the Duck

" Howard the Duck " is one of my favorite films and one of the best to come out of the 80's. It is down right hillarious, has some decent acting, great special effects, and an original story. When you want laughs, don't look to Daffy or Donald, but to Howard the Duck!!!


Just to counter all the negative reviews...the Duck is what it is.   August 2, 2006
S. Granger (Los Angeles, California United States)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful

I understand why someone who is looking for a great film would be disappointed. Howard the Duck is no Saving Private Ryan or English Patient. Thankfully not all films are or we'd be really bored. What Howard The Duck IS is entertaining. It's a guy in a duck suit...so what? It's pretty funny and refreshingly enjoyable to watch. It is a well made B-movie...so if you look at it on that level then it's a lot of fun. And it's not helpful to compare the film which is aimed at a young audience to the comic which was very adult. Two different things entirely...really, if there were enough fans of the comic (and I'm one) then there would be a new, adult version of Howard. I don't see that happening. So enjoy the film for what it is. I hope the DVD does it justice.


An insult to a classic comic book   May 13, 2004
Garrett Aja (North Las Vegas, NV)
17 out of 54 found this review helpful

Steve Gerber's original Howard the Duck comics were a classic mockery of the '70s, from jabs at religious cults to Howard's run for president in 1976 and even an issue almost entirely in text because of deadlines. However, Gerber left Howard and Marvel Comics at the end of the decade due to his struggle to gain control of his signature character.

Coming in 1986, at a time when Gerber's dispute with Marvel had exploded into a full-blown legal battle (and the comic publisher had practically destroyed Howard with numerous changes in appearance and origin), the Howard the Duck movie was heavly hyped and awarded a huge budget-largely due to the involvement of one George Lucas. What emerged was the worst movie of 1986, and one of the 1980s many candidates for "worst movie ever". For those ignorant of the original comic book, the reputation is well-earned, with an unlikeable lead and an incredibly stupid plot. For those of us familiar with Steve Gerber's work, this film is nothing short of an abomination. However, years of repeated (and downright excessive) reruns on cable have created a number of apologists for this drivel. Do yourself a favor and avoid this wreck (and pray that George Lucas is able to keep it from appearing on DVD), while tracking down the Howard the Duck comics written by Steve Gerber, which are superior to this travesty in every way.


Howard deserves another look!   May 29, 2003
Scott Zygutis (Antioch, California United States)
14 out of 19 found this review helpful

First of all, you have to remember that this is a sci-fi comedy based on a comic book! It was never meant to stand up against George Lucas' other sci-fi giant "Star Wars".

Sure, the story line is preposterous. A science experiment gone awry, transports to Earth a lone "person" from a semi parallel universe where the predominant species are ducks. Is that harder to believe than a high-school kid who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and starts to grow silk glands, spin webs and climb straight up vertical walls? No, and yet "Spiderman" was one of the biggest hits of the year, and was slated for a sequel before it even hit the theaters.

Yes, "Howard" is filled with "predictable, cheap one-liners." ("Howard, duck!" "And proud of it!") Look at any Mel Brooks or old Bob Hope film. What are they full of? Predictable, cheap one-liners, yet they are some of the funniest movies ever made.

And what about the acting? Well, I feel that the then pretty much unknown Tim Robbins' portrayal of the nerdy lab assistant was suburb. He actually made the geek that much more believable. Jeffery Jones as the scientist whose body is taken over by the monster alien is absolutely perfect in the restaurant scene. ("She took my eggs!") And what can I say about the lovely Lea Thompson, except she is wonderfully fresh, and even does a fantastic job with her own singing.

All in all, you have to ignore the turkey critics on this one and see for yourself. If you give it the chance it deserves, Howard the Duck will make you laugh and cry at the same time, and that is a sign of true comedy genius!


STUNNING . A masterpiece...   December 1, 2000
Alex Urquhart (Dundee United Kingdom)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Lucas vision of a solitary visitor amongst men is simply a masterpiece of modern cinema. It is the age-old story of one ducks struggle to find a place for himself in an alein society that embraces the audience and leaves them spine tingled and moved. The cinematography is flawless and the acting superb, not one word of dialogue is wasted. Every schoolchild in the country should watch this film at least once, after watching Schindlers list.

Of course a film of this calibre has its protractors, some say that it was "indulgent" or "to self aware", others point out that there is no closure, too many questions left unanswered. However they are all philistines and woudnt understand TRUE ART if it slapped them in the face. How did this film not win any oscars?