The Man with the Screaming Brain (2005)

[Quorthon]

The Man with the Screaming Brain
Science Fiction/Comedy
2005
Color
Directed by: Bruce Campbell
USA

Disappointing. That would be one way to put this film. Not that it’s terrible or anything, but… well, ahhh hell. Just read on…

This film stars the legendary Bruce Campbell—legendary for his classic underground, cult, and, *ahem* “B-movies.” Well, hell, I love the guy. A lot of people do. His films are entertaining, he’s entertaining. So why wouldn’t a film starring the guy, written by him, and directed by him be good? It turns out there’s a lot of reasons, but here’s the quickie story:

Capitalist American businessman (Bruce Campbell, of course) travels to former “Red” Socialist Bulgaria on business. Well, shit happens and suddenly he’s dead. When next he’s alive, well holy hell, he has half another man’s brain in his cranium. A communist man’s brain! Well, following this, some craziness ensues and Bruce and his “dead” wife, and his half-Commie brain hunt for the gypsy woman that done killed ‘em all. Sounds pretty good so far…

Here’s the breakdown:

The Good:
--The acting, for the most part, is much better than I would have expected—especially from Stacy Keach and Ted Raimi.
--Bruce Campbell beating himself up—always entertaining.
--Bizarre story—always good.
--Some really good humor.
--Wacky throw-back to bad 50's Science Fiction films with adequate cheesiness.

Didn’t Hurt It, Didn’t Help:
--The special effects are kind of poor, but entertaining nonetheless.
--Over-all somewhat lackluster writing.
--Decent action.

The Bad:
--Some pretty tedious parts, unfortunately.
--Poor atmosphere. I personally wish Bruce had enlisted Don Coscarelli to Direct.
--Capitalist brain melded with a Socialist brain? Seems like there should’ve been some more depth in those two extremes fighting each other. Pity.

The Ugly:
--Bruce is a great actor, and a funny and entertaining guy—and really cool. Know what he really isn’t? A director.
--Again, for those like me—Bruce Campbell fans—this film is kind of a disappointment. Here’s why: It was a long time coming, it was written, directed, and starring Bruce Campbell. And after the brilliant Bubba Ho-Tep (helmed by Phantasm’s Don Coscarelli), the Evil Dead Trilogy, and many of Bruce’s other successes—well, for fans, there’s a lot of hype in preparing for this one. Also, the idea that it was kind of Bruce’s “pet-project” and one he’d been planning and working on for years gave this film some added heft when it comes to “getting one’s hopes up.”

Memorable Scene:
--When Bruce is first running around and battling the idea of having two brains.


This is not a bad film, but it’s not exactly great. And after the hype going into it, and after seeing how talented Bruce Campbell really is (Bubba Ho-Tep), this film just feels rather weak.


Acting: 8/10
Story: 8/10
Atmosphere: 4/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Character Development: 6/10
Special Effects/Make-up: 5/10
Nudity/Sexuality: 0/10
Violence/Gore: 7/10 (not much of either, but decent quality for it)
Dialogue: 7/10
Music: 6/10
Direction: 6/10

Cheesiness: 5/10
Crappiness: 1/10

Overall: 6/10

This one is for general Science Fiction fans and Bruce Campbell fans. But don’t get your hopes up too high. Like, watch it if you forgot a lot of his previous work, or haven’t seen it at all. Not bad, not great, and don’t get your hopes too high.

[Bartwald]

Sad, sad, sad. Like most of us I was hoping to get the craziest story on earth - and well done. Doesn't sound so now.

Will still catch it, anyway.

[Heineken Skywalker]

"Among Bruce's worst"

[Bartwald]

I need to see it. Can't believe it's as bad as you're saying, guys. Almost impossible, damn: it's BRUCE!!!

[Bartwald]

Saw it. Not all bad, no: the beginning was pretty good, funny dialogues and all, though one might wonder if the makers didn't mix Bulgaria and Russia into one country; Stacy Keach was good, Ted Raimi half the time funny, the other half - annoying, and Bruce was Bruce. I liked the OTT factor of the film, too, but yeah: some parts dragged. This clearly needed more scenes like the one in the bar, when Bruce is fighting the Bulgarians without caring about the rules of fair play.

I've seen Bruce in worse films.