Intermittently funny spoof of “The Godfather” arrives too late to make an impact. Written and directed by Bob Hoge (who also appears in the film), “The Godson” is filled with obvious and dated jokes that frequently fall flat. Such a shame for a film that sports impressive production values and a cast that seems game for anything.

The problem is the lame script that takes pot shots at subjects so old most of the target audience won’t get or appreciate. The comedy is of the “Airplane” and “Naked Gun” variety, but not nearly that entertaining or funny. Dom DeLuise stars as “The Odd Father,” the head of the Calzone mob family. Anxious to retire, the Odd Father pins his hopes of continuing the family business on his number one son, Sunny (Hoge).

When Sunny meets an unfortunate demise (or does he?), the Odd Father is forced to turn to son number three, a loser named Guiseppe (Kevin McDonald), who everyone calls Guppy. With the assistance of the Odd Father’s cross-dressing bodyguard (Lou Ferrigno), Guppy is groomed to take over the family business and restore it to it’s old glory. The Odd Father’s plan upsets the Rodfather (Rodney Dangerfield), a rival mob boss who vows to bring down Guppy. He asks his gorgeous daughter Don Na (Fabiana Udenio) to get close to Guppy, which she agrees to do. It doesn’t take long before she falls in love with him, furthering angering the Rodfather. His resentment leads to a big shootout at a party being held by Guppy. Along the way, writer-director Hoge lines the comedy with parodies of other films, including “Silence of the Lambs,” “West Side Story,” “Seven,”and “Scarface,” and characters with names like Tracy Dick, played by the always durable Irwin Keyes.

Like all comedies of this sort, the jokes are hit and miss, mostly miss. The performances are broad as a barn, especially DeLuise, who mumbles his way through a really bad Brando impression. McDonald, one of Canada’s “Kids in the Hall,” is okay as the goof ball son, but is limited by the material. You really feel sorry for Dangerfield, who tries to make the best of a bad situation.

The director tosses him the occasional bone, but there’s no reason this funny man should go begging for material. More silly than funny, “The Godson” really pushes the PG-13 rating to the limit. The best part of the film? Party guest Joey Buttafuco gets nailed by a star- throwing Ninja. Then he gets shot by a wayward bullet. Tell me that’s not funny. Stay for the credits, which ape the “Airplane” credits with zany inclusions, and include some outtakes from the film. There are some laughs at work in “The Godson,” but not nearly enough to warrant an entire film.

COMPLETE CHECK-UP

VISION: [ ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ X ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Here’s a quandary. The digital transfer of “The Godson” is exceptionally sharp and vivid, featuring gorgeous colors, flattering flesh tones and impressive blacks. So why did the studio decide to transfer “The Godson” in full frame rather than widescreen? The credits at the end of the film indicate that it was shot for a theatrical release, so why wasn’t it transferred that way? If they spent all of that effort to make such a handsome digital transfer, why not do it right? Is this a case for “The X-Files”?

HEARING: [ ] EXCELLENT [ X ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Effective but not overwhelming Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround track. The rear tracks are mostly regulated to musical cues and the occasional stereo effect. The dialogue is very clear and distinctive. For this type of movie, it more than suffices.

ORAL: [ ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ X ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Spanish subtitles.

COORDINATION: [ ] EXCELLENT [ X ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

The customary interactive menus, theatrical trailer, and cast bios.

PROGNOSIS: [ ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ X ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Here’s an offer you can refuse. Rent rather than buy, but only if your tastes are lowbrow enough to laugh at the lame jokes.

VITALS: $24.98/Rated PG-13/100 Min./Color/16 Chapter Stops/Keepcase/#7065

ATTENDING RESIDENT: John Larsen

PATIENT: THE GODSON

BIRTH DATE: 1998

HMO: Sterling Home Entertainment

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 6th, 2005 at 4:58 pm and is filed under Film Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.