Starsky & Hutch: Don't Give Up On Us Baby

The big movie opening this weekend is the movie version of Starsky and Hutch starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, and Gothamist has to say, if you love Ben and Owen's chemistry (think Meet the Parents... Zoolander...), go see it (or just go because Snoop Dogg steals the film). E! Online has a great question and answer with the pair in their feature, "Guffaw and Order"; E! asked Wilson about singing the David Soul hit, "Don't Give Up On Us, Baby" (lyrics; here's a short sound file of the song):

You know, that was a choice I made, going for that soulless sound. I have to admit, when we were filming that scene and I had to sing for Carmen [Electra] and Amy [Smart], it was awkward--just seeing their expressions. You know when somebody shows you their baby, and you think the baby is not very cute but you try to smile anyway? That's how they looked. I could just see their interest in me flicker out--if it was ever there to begin with.

Also, Gothamist wants to note that Carmen Electra is a better actress than Amy Smart: When they are called to make out, Carmen really gets into it.

Roger Ebert wonders if Stiller and Wilson are the new Hope and Crosby/Martin and Lewis in his three-star review. And Elvis Mitchell has fun mentioning The Fader, The Cure, John Holmes, and the Love Boat plus other movie references in his positive review of Starsky & Hutch: "Mr. Wilson has really become the stoner's version of James Garner, and his most charming asset continues to be his combination of good manners and ecstasy-flavored narcissism." Word. But Salon's Stephanie Zacharek thinks the movie "poops out before it gets going." She did, however, like the dragon scene. "Grrrr!"

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on March 5, 2004 12:28 PM

Comments [rss]

OWEN WILSON

OLA A TODOS SOY OWEN MUCHAS GRACIAS POR EL CARIÑO QUE ME HAN DADO, GRACIAS POR ACEPTAR MI LINDA CANCION Y POR AMARME, SALUDOS A UNAS AMIGAS DE CHILE QUE RESERVARE SU IDENTIDAD PARA DARLE MAS SUSPENSO A SUS VIDAS, LOS AMO. ADIOS

Stacey

I luved it and I only went to see it for Owen. I think he's totally inspirational and a great role model. I loved his song althought his voice was tuned by a machine after it. lol I am totally gonna meet him one day and i'm gonna write him some fan mail! YAY! Go Owen!

laura

if anyone liked old school, you will definitely like this! and they got that same singer guy that opens the wedding in old school.

Gary

This is the funniest movie ever!! I have seen it twice already and it's only been out for two days. It's a great stress releiver and just a let go kind of movie. Go see it. DO IT...DO IT!

Gary

This is the funniest movie ever!! I have seen it twice already and it's only been out for two days. It's a great stress releiver and just a let go kind of movie. Go see it. DO IT...DO IT!

Gary

This is the funniest movie ever!! I have seen it twice already and it's only been out for two days. It's a great stress releiver and just a let go kind of movie. Go see it. DO IT...DO IT!

Gary

This is the funniest movie ever!! I have seen it twice already and it's only been out for two days. It's a great stress releiver and just a let go kind of movie. Go see it. DO IT...DO IT!

jen

um, there were TWO references to that cure song, the one line where he actually quotes it and then the next line talking about vince vaughn's characters. i could shit a better review than that (and without making such a lame/random reference).

ziegfeld

Mitchell, it seems, is generally assigned to review (though his analyses are more summaries than critiques) mainstream pop films. I wonder if the Times hired him and relies on his style to compete with the Eberts and Roepers.

John

I don't know if I'm irritated by them so much as puzzled by them, or rather by the motivation behind them. They're too clumsily shoehorned in to impress anybody, but by the same token that makes them unmissable. And it's not even the references that bother me, but if you're going to work in a Cure reference, why not wait until the opportune time rather than using "lime green and tangerine"? I mean, wait until you can use a GOOD line. I guess I think it's kind of fascinating. Fascination is the flipside of irritation, though.

ziegfeld

I think Mitchell sometimes has TOO much fun making cultural linkages. As I noted in a response to Gothamist's comments on A.O. Scott:

>I particularly like the literate, analytical approach New York Times critic Stephen Holden brings to his reviews. His work challenges my thinking. I'm consistently irritated, though, by Elvis Mitchell's reviews...I feel that he's less interested in analyzing a particular film than in showing off how many cultural references he can make.

Coolfer

Can someone please get Ben Stiller a restraining order against Owen Wilson? Or vice versa? Basically, whatever it takes to ensure they never work together again. And yes, I realize I say this without actually seeing the movie (something I picked up from the many early "The Passion of the Christ" detractors), but I'm not going to see the movie, not even if I'm on a plane to Australia and it's a long flight and I didn't bring either a book or stack of newspapers to read. I'm afraid I must boycott all current and future collaborations.

Ron Mwangaguhunga

you can tell Mitchell had a grand ole time reviewing this one.

John

Yeah, that Cure reference in the Times article was WAAAAY out of left field. I mean, I haven't seen the movie, so it may be an accurate description, but it was a wacky way to reference them (and a not-that-great line from a not-that-great later Cure song)...