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The Little Mermaid (1989)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Release Date: 08/14/2024

Superman II (1980) show art Superman II (1980)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week, Shat the Movies finally kneels before Zod—and listener Chris Lloyd—by reviewing Superman II (1980), the sequel that gave us Terrence Stamp’s immortal sneer, Margot Kidder’s bathrobe thirst, and Christopher Reeve’s blue-eyed beefcake perfection. This episode dives headfirst into the Donner vs. Lester debate, asks how much ejaculate the Fortress of Solitude can handle, and questions Lois Lane’s true intentions once Clark Kent drops the glasses—and the powers. Gene and Big D examine everything from Superman’s bizarre morality and dubious revenge tactics to the wildly...

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Haunted Honeymoon (1986) show art Haunted Honeymoon (1986)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re getting spooky with Haunted Honeymoon (1986)! Join us for a hilarious look at this dark comedy starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, where a newlywed couple finds themselves trapped in a spooky mansion filled with eccentric characters. Expect plenty of laughs, wacky moments, and a fun mix of mystery and comedy. If you’re in the mood for a quirky, light-hearted romp, this is the episode for you! Plot SummaryIn the 1986 horror-comedy Haunted Honeymoon, Gene Wilder directs and stars alongside Gilda Radner and Dom DeLuise in a spooky screwball romp that...

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Haunted Honeymoon (1986) show art Haunted Honeymoon (1986)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re getting spooky with Haunted Honeymoon (1986)! Join us for a hilarious look at this dark comedy starring Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner, where a newlywed couple finds themselves trapped in a spooky mansion filled with eccentric characters. Expect plenty of laughs, wacky moments, and a fun mix of mystery and comedy. If you’re in the mood for a quirky, light-hearted romp, this is the episode for you! Plot SummaryIn the 1986 horror-comedy Haunted Honeymoon, Gene Wilder directs and stars alongside Gilda Radner and Dom DeLuise in a spooky screwball romp that...

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Gallipoli (1981) show art Gallipoli (1981)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

In this powerful episode of Shat the Movies, hosts Gene Lyons and Big D, Dick Ebert, journey down under to revisit Peter Weir's 1981 war drama Gallipoli. Commissioned by listener Mac in Texas, this Australian New Wave classic stars a young Mel Gibson and Mark Lee as two spirited athletes drawn into the brutal realities of World War I. The Shat crew reflects on how Gallipoli flips the traditional war movie formula, building deep emotional connections with its characters long before the first shots are fired. From the dusty outback to the trenches of the Dardanelles, Gene and Big D dissect the...

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Street Fighter (1994) show art Street Fighter (1994)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week on Shat the Movies, we’re kicking some serious butt with Street Fighter (1994)! Join us as we dive into the live-action adaptation of the iconic video game, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile. It’s a chaotic, campy, action-packed ride full of over-the-top performances, questionable fight scenes, and plenty of laughs. Whether you're a fan of the game or just love ‘90s action flicks, tune in for a hilarious deep dive into this cult classic! Plot SummaryIn the 1994 action film Street Fighter, directed by Steven E. de Souza and loosely based on the hit video game...

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The Matrix Reloaded (2003) show art The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

What do you get when you mix cyberpunk philosophy, a rave in a cave, and a thousand Mr. Smiths? A sequel so ambitious it broke Big D’s brain and made Gene question reality itself. This week, the Shat Crew finishes up listener Jeremiah's Sci-Fi Through The Ages series by plugging into The Matrix Reloaded, a film that doubles down on slow-mo kung fu, pleather trench coats, and high-concept jargon that may or may not mean anything. Is Neo still "The One," or just another guy with a Superman complex? Did Trinity and Neo’s love scene spark human emotion—or just a need for brain bleach? And...

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Star Trek: First Contact (1996) show art Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

Prepare for warp speed as Gene Lyons and Big D travel back to the 24th century—and then to 2063—to review Star Trek: First Contact, the Next Generation crew’s darkest and most action-packed cinematic outing. Commissioned by listener Jeremiah as part of a sci-fi classics series, this episode dives deep into the ethics of Picard’s command decisions, the practical (and impractical) nature of Borg assimilation, and the horny weirdness of Star Trek fandom. Along the way, Gene and Big D debate Star Trek vs. Star Wars and ponder whether the Borg Queen really does have big “ASMR energy.”...

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The Running Man (1987) show art The Running Man (1987)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week on "Shat the Movies," we’re running headfirst into The Running Man (1987), the action-packed sci-fi thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Join us as we break down the high-stakes game show, over-the-top villains, and the unforgettable one-liners in this satirical dystopian classic. Whether you're a fan or new to it, get ready for a fast-paced and fun discussion! Plot SummaryIn the year 2019, America is a totalitarian state where the favorite television program is “The Running Man” — a game show in which prisoners must run to freedom to avoid a brutal death. Having been...

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Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of The Jedi (1983) show art Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of The Jedi (1983)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week on Shat The Movies, Gene and Big D close out the original Star Wars trilogy with a deep dive into Return of the Jedi (1983). Fueled by nostalgia, Minute Maid and vodka cocktails, and the crushing realization that not all endings stick the landing, the hosts explore the Ewok invasion, Jabba's deadly circus act, Boba Fett’s humiliating demise, and the absurdity of Imperial helmet design. From Luke’s questionable Force skills to the Empire’s laughable "elite troops," nothing escapes the Shat boys’ critical eye. Along the way, they celebrate Carrie Fisher’s iconic (if...

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Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) show art Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

Shat the Movies: 80's & 90's Best Film Review

This week on "Shat the Movies," we’re blasting off into Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), the film that launched a galaxy far, far away. Join us as we explore the iconic characters, groundbreaking effects, and the timeless story that started it all. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or revisiting it for the first time, tune in for a fun and nostalgic look at the movie that changed cinema forever! Plot SummaryStar Wars: A New Hope (1977), written and directed by George Lucas, launched one of the most iconic film franchises in history. The story follows young Luke Skywalker (Mark...

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“The Little Mermaid” sparked the Disney Renaissance of the ’90s, burning unforgettable songs like “Under The Sea” and “Part of Your World” into the memories of Gen X and Millennials alike.

Since then, Pixar and other studios have pushed animated features to levels we never thought possible. Digital framerates, lighting, sound and design are near perfection, making Disney’s 1989 release feel a little dated.

But old isn’t necessarily bad. So listener Jackson M. posed this question to Shat The Movies: Does a 35-year-old “The Little Mermaid” still hold up? And it was a tough one to answer.

Plot Summary:

In this episode, the Shat Crew explores whether Ariel was a nightmare child, why King Triton entrusted her safety to a singing crab and how Disney handled a teen mermaid’s transition into a human girl.

In the 1989 animated musical classic The Little Mermaid, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, Jodi Benson voices Ariel, a curious and spirited young mermaid princess with an insatiable desire to explore the human world above the sea. As the youngest daughter of King Triton (Kenneth Mars), ruler of the undersea kingdom of Atlantica, Ariel is drawn to the forbidden world of humans, much to her father’s disapproval. She collects human artifacts and dreams of living on land, where she feels she truly belongs.

One night, during a daring exploration, Ariel saves Prince Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes) from a shipwreck and instantly falls in love with him. Determined to be with Eric, Ariel makes a dangerous pact with Ursula (Pat Carroll), the sea witch. Ursula offers Ariel a chance to become human for three days in exchange for her voice. If Ariel can win Eric’s love and receive a “true love’s kiss” within that time, she will remain human forever; if she fails, she will belong to Ursula.

As Ariel navigates the complexities of the human world with the help of her friends, the lovable Flounder (Jason Marin) and Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright), the Caribbean crab who serves as King Triton’s advisor, she finds herself closer to her dreams. However, Ursula’s treacherous plans threaten not only Ariel’s chance at love but also the entire underwater kingdom.

The Little Mermaid is a timeless tale of courage, love, and self-discovery, featuring unforgettable songs like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl,” which won Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Join our podcast review as we dive deep into Ariel’s undersea adventure to see if this Disney classic still enchants audiences today with its magic, music, and message.

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