Big (Penny Marshall, 1988) Review

Expect The Amazing Spider-Man? Too bad, Tom Hanks time. For those who don't know, Big was one of Tom Hank's first films (give or take a few films)...at least it was one of his first (excuse the pun) big films. It brings forth a pretty clever and unique idea that does work well. It also has a decent enough moral. I guess it's time to take a look into Big. I would make another size joke but I can't think of one...It comes naturally.

Josh Baskin (David Moscow) is a typical 80's kid who dreams of being bigger and be treated like an adult. When he visits a travelling amusement park, he uses a wish machine so he can ask to be grown up. Normally this wouldn't work but this a film so naturally...it works. He wakes up the next day to find that he is now a fully grown adult (Tom Hanks). There's just one problem...no-one recognises him. He's kicked out of his house after being mistaken for an intruder, he flunks out of school for obvious reasons and has to stay in an appartmen ton his own. His luck turns around when he's hired to test out toys (since he is still a child inside). Now he has to make a choice, stick with his new life or try to find the wish machine.

There's one thing to expect form a film starring Tom Hanks...he is going to be great. It's not different here at all. He is still the same great Tom Hanks. If you don't like Tom Hanks then stay away but then again...I don't know anyone that does. This is a good introduction to his acting and manages to portray a character with child like naivety. He makes this film and is the main reason you would want to see it...that and the writing.

The thing I love most about this film is, as previously stated, the idea of the film. I love the idea of having a child in an adults body. It presents some great scenes and lines that perfectly portray a naive child but, obviously, is said by Tom Hanks. I love the scenes where women try to hit on him but he obviously misses the point such as thinking they want to have a sleepover (you know, not in THAT sense). The writing helps this and I give the writer(s) much respect.

Big isn't really a film for everyone. It does move at a slow pace in the second half and it's ending is just obvious. It's the bad kind of obvious where, not only do you know what's going to happen, but it's disappointing cliché and boring. It isn't Tom Hanks' best film by any means but it isn't his worst either. It's in the middle. I would recommend it if you haven't seen it but there are much better films out there (see The Terminal).

Verdict:
6.5/10