Volunteers | | Cast : | Tom Hanks, John Candy | | Director : | Nicholas Meyer | | Studio : | Hbo Studios | | Format : | Color, Widescreen | | Released Date : | August 16, 1985 | | DVD Released Date : | February 03, 2004 | | Language : | French (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | January 06, 2005 | | Summary | A Star Is (Almost) Bourne | Content
 | Before Tom Hanks really hit it Big as one of America's favorite film stars, he took on roles that are now overshadowed by turns in Philadephia, Forrest Gump, and Saving Private Ryan. One of the most underated efforts from the early period is the comedy Volunteers.
Life has taken a turn for the worse for Lawrence Bourne III (Hanks). He's on the run from the bookies, in debt for $28,000 and, although he comes from money, nothing but trouble seems to be coming his way. Wanting to escape his troubles, he convinces a friend to let him take his place on a plane leaving soon for Thailand - but before he knows it, he ends up in region as a member of the Peace Corps. Down amongst the do-gooders like Tom Tuttle from Tacoma (John Candy) and the pretty Beth Wexler (Rita Wilson) Lawrence has his work cut out for him. While the others are teaching the natives how to boil water, he's showing them how to play bridge. But when the small village finds itself caught up in a battle between a CIA supported warlord and communist revolutionary forces, Lawrence must delay his plans for opening a Thai nightclub and romancing Beth.
Written by Ken Levine and David Issacs, a team noted for penning episodes of M*A*S*H and Cheers, the screenplay allows for the great chemistry, comedic give and take between Hanks and the late great Candy. Throwing Wilson (the future Mrs. Hanks) into the mix was a good move as well. Directed by Star Trek film vet Nicholas Meyer, it's nice to know he is a versatile talent going from the final frontier to comedy with ease. The film really is better than most give it credit for.
The DVD extras are a disappointment. Cast and crew bios and the film's theatrical trailer are all you get here.
The film is by no means problem free. But those issues are minor. Give Volunteers a look and it will make you smile.
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| Rating | | | Date | August 17, 2004 | | Summary | 2 out of 10 | Content
| Volunteers is a film I wished that I never saw. It is so bad that I was miserable after finishing it. Was it supposed to be a comedy or an adventure? Throw in bad jokes. Add psychotic John Candy. Steal the idea of The Bridge On the River Kwai. What do you have? I don't know. The greatest disappointment in this film was John Candy. That wasn't the definitive John Candy that I know. Before viewing Volunteers, I was expecting tons of crack jokes. After viewing Volunteers, what a let down! The anticipation of boredom was the last thing on my mind. I am gravely disappointed in this film. Worst part also is the supposed romance between Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Really, what romance? I don't see the chemistry. |
| Rating | | | Date | February 24, 2004 | | Summary | Great Laughs | Content
| This comedy really struck me as great. Some have bashed Tom Hanks in this movie as unfunny and John Candy as the highlight, but I think Tom Hanks is just plain hilarious, but then again I've always loved deap-pan humor. Candy on the other hand is the fallguy to Hanks straightman.
The basic plot is Hanks is a rich prick in serious debt and joins the peace corps to get away from it all. While in Thailand, Tom Hanks has to learn to become a better person. Simple premise, but, like I said earlier, you'll love it.
Also, this film features and early score by James Horner, which is a nice bonus for soundtrack fans.
Truthfully the only reason this film did not get 5 stars was the lack of DVD features, but the flick itself is great. Worth your cash. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 25, 2003 | | Summary | A Movie Tom Hanks would like to forget | Content
| I'd actually like to give this 0 stars.
This lame film set in Southeast Asia is a complete waste of time.
I love John Candy and miss him very much, but would not watch this film again even if it was the only way to see John. And Tom Hanks has become one of greatest livingg actors.
That being said this film stinks. It is a poorly written about some peace corps types dealing with some way over done CIA types.
Rent or by Plains, Trains or Automobiles, you'll be a lot happier. |
| Rating | | | Date | September 11, 2003 | | Summary | Volunteers | Content
| The movie is a classic with many quotable lines, Tom Hanks' portrayal of an arrogant, shameless womanizing, gambling rich kid from the Northeast makes the movie as well as John Candy's over grown Boy Scout character, Tom Tuttle from Takoma |
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