Good Burger, the 1997 comedy starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, gets a 25th Anniversary Limited-Edition SteelBook.
“Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?”
Much like previous home entertainment releases, the film is really lacking on bonus features. One would think that both Kenan and Kel would have made time to record an audio commentary. They couldn’t even get filmmaker Brian Robbins to record a commentary? All we have is the original All That sketch and that’s it. No interviews with the cast or filmmakers. It’s really a missed opportunity in this regard. In addition to the Blu-ray, the film also includes a digital copy.
The gist of the film is that Dexter (Kenan Thompson) ends up working at the titular restaurant after Ed’s skating antics causes a car crash. At first, Dexter works for Mondo Burger. However, one thing leads to another and he starts working at Good Burger. The restaurant looks like it’s going to go under but then Ed’s sauce becomes their secret weapon. Of course, Kurt wants to bring the company down on its knees, sending Roxanne to get the ingredients. Things become a battle of good vs. evil when Dexter and Ed discover Mondo’s real plan. Kurt sends Dexter, Ed, and Otis (Abe Vigoda) to Demented Hills Asylum. They escape and save the day for the small burger joint.
There’s a rule of threes in comedy and this film is certainly no exception to the rule. In this film, Sinbad is the worst victim. Right when you think nothing is going to happen, his mailbox gets hit…again and then it happens a fourth time when a burger totals his just-repaired car. You can’t help but laugh.
After directing a documentary, Good Burger became the first of nine narrative features that Brian Robbins directed before becoming an executive. Robbins does a fine job but it’s one of those comedies that you either like it or you don’t. Suffice it to say, the comedy has grown a cult following and Robbins also wants to make an animated series for Paramount+. One can only assume that both Kenan and Kel would be involved.
Fun fact: long before Crazy Ex-Girlfriend launched on the WB, Good Burger was the biggest production to film in West Covina.
Good Burger isn’t a great comedy by any means but there are plenty of laughs to be found.
Bonus Feature
- Original “Good Burger” sketch from All That (1994)
DIRECTOR: Brian Robbins
SCREENWRITERS: Dan Schneider and Kevin Kopelow & Heath Seifert
CAST: Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Abe Vigoda, Dan Schneider, Shar Jackson, Jan Schweiterman, Linda Cardellini, and Sinbad
Paramount released Good Burger in theaters on July 25, 1997. Grade: 3/5
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