They don’t make films like this any more. Well, not often. In the 80’s, they made loads of “zany madcap chase” films, but you just don’t see them these days.
Rat Race is silly. It’s over the top nonsense. Every situation is contrived, the few special effects are awful, and I have no idea why they cast Rowan Atkinson as an Italian. But… it was funny. Some bits were absolute genius too – the build up of Jon Lovitz’s character stealing Hitler’s car, then because of one thing after another, getting a Hitler moustashe, burning his tongue so he sounds German, and then landing the car on a stage in front of WWII war vets before trying to explain himself at a podium using mainly arm gestures. Amazing.
Completely ridiculous, it really shouldn’t work, but like “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” (Rat Race could almost be a remake of that, actually), it somehow does.
And it’s worth watching for John Cleese’s teeth alone.
Verdict: 4/5
