Big Stan (2007) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2007
Director: Rob Schneider
Cast: Rob Schneider, David Carradine, Jennifer Morrison, Scott Wilson, M. Emmet Walsh, Henry Gibson
Rating: R
Release Date: 24 March 2009 (DVD)
Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

The Movie Review

Big Stan film still 1


BIG STAN
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

When strolling the mall yesterday, I was shocked (again) to see an "old" movie being displayed on the NOW SHOWING section. It was Big Stan... Oh my goodness, where in the world is Thor (2011) and Scream 4 (2011)? Well, I know the answer to that is a place named Singapore or Australia! I can't imagine myself spending my dough to fly to them countries just to see a movie...... Arrrgghhhhhh.

Anyway, Big Stan is a 2007 movie of which the DVD was already released way back in 2009. It's a feel-good comedy with a noble message to convey. And fans of Rob Schneider would enjoy this directorial debut of him and besides... David Carradine was back on his role as the Martial Arts Master. But what Big Stan is all about anyway?

Stan Minton (Rob Schneider) is a crooked real estate businessman who gets his deal by tricking his clients into something they would regret later. Currently he's trying to trick an old woman to buy a condo when suddenly Stan Minton is apprehended by the authority and gets his sorry a*s dragged to the court. In the nick of time, Stan manages to hire an equally crooked (and also oddly funny) lawyer named Lew Popper (M. Emmet Walsh) to defend him, but at least Lew could buy Stan 6 months of time before having to enter the jail and spend 3 years of his life behind bars and.... getting raped?!

Yep, Stan Minton is a self-made man. He has a big mansion, a lovely loyal and fun wife, Mindy (Jennifer Morrison) but there's nothing he fears the most right now other than being raped by his future inmates! Stan tries everything to strengthen himself up but nothing works! Eventually Stan meets... The Master! The Master (David Carradine) is a very strong old man with unique attitude who teaches Stan Minton all he needs to survive in the prison. From eating bizarre foods, learning Kung Fu, the art of nipple twisting, Filipino Kali to the ultimate secret move of the Master... The Finger of Death!

Now, Stan is ready to walk tall and challenge anyone who dares to come near his a*s. What will happen in this prison is something that Stan Minton would have never imagined before...

Big Stan is half comedy and half martial arts. The film is a balanced mix of comedy and martial arts which will make the audience enjoy it movie without having to think hard or raising your eyebrows in confusion. Although the noble message of anti-prison-rape is something that I bet the filmmakers were trying hard to convey. Concerning the comedy, there are some scenes that will make you laugh out loud and some only will make you chuckle. Overall, the laughing time is not as much as in other Rob Schneider's movies. And concerning the martial arts section (or the action parts), there are several real life mixed martial arts fighters being employed such as Don Frye, Randy Couture and Bob Sapp. Surprisingly Bob Sapp is one of two actors who have got great scene-stealing character and Bob Sapp delivers that performance perfectly.

Bob Sapp performs as the biggest sexual predator named Big Raymond. At first he appears truly menacing but later on the movie his character gradually becomes more comical and even to the point of "adorable", those who are familiar with Bob Sapp's fighting moves in the ring might be bewildered to see his "adorable" performance in Big Stan. Another strong character is undoubtedly coming from M. Emmet Walsh. Although doesn't have much screen minutes in Big Stan, but his character is quite second to none. Rob Schneider is also good in delivering those fighting moves as his motion seems fluent. Jennifer Morrison's lovely performance is a good addition to add some vivacity into the story. And last but not least, is the cool cigarette-wielding Master with his husky voice, David Carradine which will make the fans of Kung Fu instantly relate him with anything Kung Fu-like.

I recommend this movie if you're looking for a feel good comedy, although I still think watching it in your TV is good enough. But since on some cinemas, Big Stan is the only comedy flick you can find, then it's actually a good option anyway and the atmosphere is also amped up with the upbeat soundtrack, "Vagabundo"!

> Let's laugh in Prison: Find Me Guilty (2006) and Let's Go to Prison (2006).