Almost an Angel

source: Almost an Angel

Fresh off the success of the 'Crocodile Dundee' movies where Hogan played a rough tough lovable roguish bushman, Hogan is back going for gold again playing...a rough tough lovable roguish criminal. Only this criminal has changed his ways after a near death situation and he now believes he's an angel on a mission from God, but is he? Thing about this film that is disappointing is the fact they don't really make the most of the idea. We're never entirely sure if Hogan's character is actually an angel, was his afterlife experience just a dream or not and if he's really invincible, we're led to believe he's a heavenly being through various lucky scrapes. For the whole run time this concept isn't really explored as well as it could have been I think because this character doesn't really do much accept walk out in front of trucks. There are times he puts himself at risk helping others like standing up against some gang members and setting up religious themed tricks but on the whole its all dialog. Now there's nothing wrong with good dialog, emotional dialog...but this doesn't really have that (Paul Hogan comedy remember), you really do expect there to be more in the shape of visual comedy. Most of the time he's chatting to folk, trying to either con or assist them and of course having to fend off his real time wife Kozlowski. Gee I wonder whose idea it was to cast her in the film. I suppose it is neat to have us the audience unsure as to whether this guy is really an angel or not but this also kinda leads to the movie being really very dull. Like I say nothing really happens that is exciting or remotely interesting other than him beating some guys up once and walking out in front of a truck. Things become really boring when he meets up with a wheelchair bound Elias Koteas whom he makes friends with. This is the main plot point in the film and its incredibly boring, things were dull before this but dear Lord it gets worse. The movies highlight appears to be a chase sequence between a fat cop and Koteas in his wheelchair...and the fat cop can't catch him...on foot...riiiiiight. They actually do try and make this sequence really intense as Koteas ducks under stuff, turns corners sharply and pumps away to increase his speed...I'm serious here. Plus I really gotta mention how lame of an ending it is for Koteas' character, he bumps into something and ends up fatally stabbing himself in the thigh...laugh out loud! In the end we actually discover Hogan is an angel...oh spoil...whatever. Its only then that you realise how cool this film could of been with more ghosty spiritual moments like that. Don't get me wrong its a nice ending but it sure took some strength to get there sheesh! The tagline for this movie is 'The guy from down under is working for the man upstairs'...I mean sure its a quirky line but are they really still banking on the fact Hogan is an Aussie?? still pushing and depending on that unimportant geographical detail! Surely they exhausted that with the 'Mick Dundee' movies...we get it, he's an Aussie, cultural differences gag officially milked. 3/10

Third film in the Crocodile Dundee trilogy finds Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee in jail and with an identity crisis--he thinks he's Terry Dean, a thief who uses electronic wizadry to pull off heists. Crocodile Mick's sexy girlfriend Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) also has an identity crisis--she thinks she's Rose Garner, a do-gooder extraordinaire. Like any good romantic fantasy the two are drawn to each knowing within their hearts that they had loved each other before and are meant for each other. Similar to the plot of "Made In Heaven" and the ending to "Heaven Can Wait." Also has a heaven scene like "Heaven Can Wait" but replaces Mr. Jordan with God. Charleton Heston plays God. Paul Hogan plays Crocodile Dundee/Terry Dean/Willie Nelson/Rod Stewart/Popeye the Sailor Man. Crocodile Mick and Sexy Sue never do get their memories back, however I still have fond memories of Sexy Sue in her black swimmy suit in the original Dundee film.

Someone else - who apparently didn't stay to the end of the film - has utterly slated "Almost an Angel". I, on the other hand, saw it to the end, and loved it. Terry Dean (Paul Hogan) is a small-time crook and electronics wizard who, as soon as he's let out of prison, proceeds to plan a bank robbery. But the best-laid plans... In this case, he gets beaten to it by an armed gang. And Terry takes a bullet for a child. In hospital, an experience convinces him that he has become an angel. On probation. (The viewer is left guessing until close to the very end whether it was merely a delirious near-death experience, or whether it was more.) Charlton Heston makes an excellent God-figure: and probation is a term that Terry understands. So, believing that he's an angel on probation, Terry is sent back to make a difference... and has to work out what sort of things "The Boss" approves of... Robbery? Maybe not. But what about robbery to feed the poor and hungry? We follow Terry as he learns - at times hilariously, at times deeply touchingly - to fulfil the terms of his probation... This is a tale about redemption - not merely Terry's, but those people with whom he becomes involved. It's a story about death, but most importantly, about life. It's the story about a man's relationship with "the Boss", and what faith is about. The film contains action, comedy, cops and robbers, tragedy and victory... No, it probably doesn't rank as One Of Ye Greatest Films In History. But it is a funny, touching, heart-warming, beautiful film, and I only wish that it were available somewhere on DVD. For personal preference... I score it a 10 out 10. And am keeping my fingers crossed that SOMEONE will decide to release it on DVD! Please, pretty please!?

I have completely enjoyed every single movie that Paul Hogan was in. He is a comic genius. I find it unbelievable that this particular movie is not available on DVD. His movies are not slap stick or like anything else I've seen. The things his characters do is just incredibly funny. Even years later when I remember something he did I can't help but laugh. This particular movie was funny as well as heartwarming. When he picked the fight with the guy in the wheel chair I thought I would bust a gut. But, he was just trying to prove a point. When he was shot with the gun loaded with blanks you start to worry, will he do something stupid and end up dead, or is he really an angel. My all time Hogan favorite. It has everything, romance, comedy, and will bring tears to tour eyes. I can't wait to find this movie on DVD.

Terry (Paul Hogan) is a petty thief who is just getting out of prison. Fellow inmates tease him that maybe he should take up bank robbery but he declares he is a new man. Yet, once out in the world, he dons a Willie Nelson disguise and ROBS A BANK. He gets away with it! Emboldened, he tries again as Rod Stewart the robber but is foiled. Rushing out of the lobby, he nevertheless sees a car coming straight at a small boy. Knocking the child out of the way, Terry is struck! Next thing he knows, Terry is in the clouds and God (Charlton Heston) tells him his last action may get him into heaven. BUT BUT BUT, WAIT! God is sending him back to earth to perform acts of kindness as an "angel apprentice". Then, its possible his life on earth may be extended. Landing back on the streets, Terry tries to fly without success. He asks for a sign and spies a truck of Moses the Movers. Hitching a ride, Terry lands in Northern California with a family who does need him. There's wheelchair bound Steve (Elias Koteas) and his sister, Rose (Linda Kozlowski) who are running a clubhouse for disturbed kids. Can Terry redeem himself among these two good people? Okay, I loved Crocodile Dundee and think Hogan has an understated humor that is charming. But, this is no CD my friend! Oh, having Heston as God is a stroke of genius and there are some amusing scenes where Terry tries to reason with a priest about his mission on earth. Koslowzki, too, does a fine turn as Rose. However, the funny spots are few and far between and the movie is a disjointed mess. The blame must fall on Hogan, who wrote it, and a very lame direction. Unless you will sit through anything or are a enthusiastic fan of Hogan, you would be well advised to skip it.

A lot of people will watch this movie and shrug it off as a simple comedy or even say that it isn't that great, but the fact is this movie does have some new and unique parts to it. The numero uno of these is the way Hogan's character Terry interacts with the handicap Steve. The lines in the bar are excellent to explaining how one should treat someone with a handicap. But they just don't stop there, they continue to show this throughout the rest of the movie. The scenes with Terry & Steve are priceless at times. But this movie has a good deal of tongue in cheek humor as well. Taking a convict and making him an angel of mercy was quite hilarious, like when he robs the fast food restaraunt to feed the poor and especially the scene where he talks with Charlton Heston as God. And of course the very convincing impersonations of Willie Nelson and Rod Stewart are classic. I especially love the scene where the police are interviewing the bank tellers after the robbery. The movie cleverly uses plays on words like "born again Christian" and periodically makes fun of itself, all of which work. The ending was both surprising and touching, especially since the whole movie you aren't sure if Terry had a dream or whether he really was sent back. All in all I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this film. It's too bad the world didn't feel the same way about this movie.

I have seen this film many times and enjoyed it each time. Although it contains only minimal language concerns, it is best when viewed uncensored and uncut--as are most films. I find the humor that Paul Hogan uses to bring this concept to film takes what sometimes seems familiar story lines and raises them to the wonderfully unique. It has one of those rare mixes of humor, drama, and bittersweet and thought-provoking themes. Hogan provides a consistent character throughout and writes an ending that should be quite satisfying for those who hate the vague, confusing ends so popular with script writers today. Like, Oh God!, I find the movie uplifting with each viewing, as I find Crocodile Dundee's offbeat humor refreshing each time. Regardless of the rating you would give, I am sure you will at least feel the time spent watching this film was worth it.

Dull little comedy about a small-time crook (Paul Hogan) who gets out of prison and thinks he is an angel after a freak accident. Naturally he justifies everything he does (including criminal activity) by saying that he is one of God's messengers. And of course he falls in love with a woman (real-life wife Linda Kozlowski) and tries to help her wheelchair-bound brother (Elias Koteas, in a wasted role for him). Hogan's financial success with the first two "Crocodile Dundee" films in the late-1980s led to this sappy little sleeping pill. Hogan, who wrote the screenplay, basically does the same routine he did in the series that made him famous. The subject matter and the black comedy here feels forced and uninspired. A dramatic route late with supernatural aspects mixed in is totally out-of-place and even a bit contrived. 2 stars out of 5.

Paul Hogan (in ... Angel) has to rate just a tad higher than Jon Voight (in Coming Home) and that says a lot about a Stars ability to credibly emote and indulge in meaning-full social intercourse. Folks with disabilities want to be treated just like ... folks. Period! And Hogan's scene in the pub where he was going to "fight" the paraplegic was so totally incredible! Why am I so enthusiastic about this film? I have lived with a disability since 1949, and used a wheelchair since 1957. Love to contact Hogan and have him "Chat" about his take on disability ... in the real. I'm sure he'd come across just like a HERO!