|
|
 |
Big
 |
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Find all by 20th Century Fox
Directed By: Penny Marshall
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Picture Format: Letterbox
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical Release: June 3, 1988
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
|
Retail Price: $14.98
Online Sale Price: $10.99
Save $3.99 Today!
* Price is subject to change.
This item qualifies for
Free Super Saver Shipping! |
Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Jared Rushton
A perfect marriage of novel but incisive writing, acting, and direction, Big is the story of a 12-year-old boy who wishes he were older, and wakes up one morning as a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks). The script by Gary Ross (Dave) and Anne Spielberg finds some unexpected ways of attacking obvious issues of sex, work, and childhood friendships, and in all of these things the accent is on classy humor and great sensitivity. Hanks is remarkable in the lead, at times hilarious (reacting to caviar just as a 12-year-old would) and at others deeply tender. Penny Marshall became a first-rate filmmaker with this 1988 work. --Tom Keogh
User Submitted Big Reviews
November 28, 2008
black mesh covers image
I am very disappointed in this DVD. The image on my 26" HD TV appears to be overlaid by a fine black mesh. I've never had this occur watching any other DVDs. BUYERS BEWARE!
September 8, 2008
Love this movie!
It took a little long to arrive, but it did not arrive late. Packaged and sealed, watched movie, no problems, no damage, easy to find online, easy pay. Ye-ah!
August 17, 2008
Suspend disbelief, sit back, have fun
Never mind the Zoltar Speaks magic ticket, the missing kid whose name is on every milk carton but who happens to be working for a toy company, etc. Forget about it. Just sit back and enjoy the entertaining, sweet, and touching but never gooey ride. Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins are wonderful together as the boy in a man's body and a love-starved woman.
The kid playing Hanks' best friend is great as well. And it will remind you of the old adage, "Be careful what you wish for--you might get it."
July 10, 2008
Timeless Classic
I went to the same highschool as Tom. He graduated 4 years after me. Great actor and there are very few dvds that I buy (only the classics); this one falls into that category.
July 7, 2008
Tom Hanks in 1988
Tom Hanks is one of my all time favorite actors. I have loved his work ever since "Bosom Buddies" with Peter Scolari and Donna Dixon. This movie is so much fun, one that can be enjoyed over and over again. Hanks is especially adorable in this film. He plays the 12 year old "Josh" perfectly. And who can not love the scene in the toy store where Hanks's and Robert Loggia's characters are playing Heart and Soul on the giant floor piano.
June 16, 2008
One great big fun filled movie watching experience...
The fact that I absolutely adore this movie comes as a huge shock to me since Tom Hanks is one of those actors I find completely overrated. There are really only a handful of his films I can even attest to enjoying (`Cast Away', shockingly, as well as `Saving Private Ryan') but for the most part I find his work a tad overrated (ala `Forest Gump' and `Philadelphia'). `Big', of all of Hanks' work, is probably my favorite. It is most definitely my favorite performance he's ever given and honestly this very performance may cause me to rethink everything I've already concluded about this Hollywood icon.
Penny Marshal's extremely successful family hit `Big' tells the story of twelve-year-old Josh, a kid tired of being a kid who makes a hasty wish to be an adult and winds up getting exactly what he wished for, with mixed results. Unable to explain what happened to him, Josh takes off from home until he can sort things out. This leaves him alone and confused and his parents distraught and heartbroken. Soon Josh starts to adjust, quite well at that. He lands himself a high profile job, acquires a very nice apartment and ends up dating a beautiful coworker.
While everything may seem to be going in the right direction, `Big' ever so delicately asks whether or not a normal childhood is worth giving up.
The script is beautifully written; in such a way that one can't help but relate to the main characters and become a part of their story. This is also hinged strongly on Hanks' masterful performance. He really adapts the mannerisms and mental wavelength of a child of twelve and exhibits those characteristics perfectly. He becomes Josh (thanks to some great method acting from what I hear) and thus sells us on a rather preposterous story.
The rest of the cast also delivers strongly here, especially the likes of Elizabeth Perkins and Robert Loggia. Perkins plays Josh's love interest Susan with ample amounts curiosity and admiration. She becomes a believable woman, a believable lover. Robert Loggia doesn't have a lot of screen time, but he is love for me here. Seriously, his little piano-key dancing scene with Hanks is my favorite scene in the film, and the look on his face is that look of found boyishness that just exudes such presence. John Heard nails the egotistical corporate climber as Paul, Josh's nemeses. He is the memorable villain, the guy you love to hate.
Young actor Jared Rushton (of `Honey I Shrunk the Kids' fame) delivers a fine performance as well here, matching Hanks almost every step of the way; and Mercedes Ruehl's tortured mother is touching and heartbreaking all at the same time.
What is so great about `Big' is that it manages to be lighthearted and warm while still tackling a big message. It never waters down its message or makes light of it in order to sell itself as a family `fluff' film but instead creates a very touching and moving experience that makes us think and laugh at the same time. While I feel that there is something extremely `wrong' with this film (I just had this shiver go down my spine when I realized that Josh and Susan, you know, did `it') I can't help but love it despite its questionable deviance from morality. I'm not picking just so you know, and I understand that it is a `movie', but come on; you can't tell me that the fact that he was twelve didn't just hit you with unease.
Anyways...
Penny Marshall is one of our great female directors today. She knows how to make a memorable and tender film (if you don't believe me then watch `Awakenings' and call me after you dry your tear drenched face) and `Big' is no exception. Probably her biggest hit (although I think I prefer `Awakenings') and one of her most widely acclaimed motion pictures, `Big' is truly one of a kind. Hanks outdoes himself here and truly changes my perception of his career.
June 3, 2008
Review by Sangram from Umass, amherst.
this is another really cute movie. Tom hanks looks so very young and cute in this movie while he was so much younger and was still a new actor back then. Even Elizabeth Perkins looks very hot and quiet stunning in the movie. Overall its a good pass time movie and also quiet entertaining with all the thrill that takes place between tom hanks & Elizabeth Perkins right from the beginning to the end. Being a movie buff I would also recommend this movie for ones private collection.
May 19, 2008
Tons of Fun!
This is a very enjoyable movie. Done very well and as alwyas Tom Hanks delivers!
April 19, 2008
He wanted to be Big
Now he what to undo the wish but he and his friend have to find the macine first. he Doesn't like being Big. Great movie!
April 1, 2008
Big: Extended Edition Review
When it was first released in 1988, "Big" instantly became one of my favorite films. 20 years later, I can still say the same thing. This film not only "holds up" well, it is still a timeless classic. It is the story of 12 year old Josh Baskin, who wishes he were "big" after being humiliated at a carnival for not being tall enough to ride an attraction in front of the classmate that he has a crush on. His wish is granted by the arcade machine, Zoltar, and the next morning, he wakes up as a 30 year old (Tom Hanks). He's kicked out of the house by his mother, who thinks he is a pervert who has broken in. To make matters worse, he can't reverse the wish for at least another 30 days. On the advice of his best buddy, Billy (Jared Rushton), he gets a job in New York City to pass the time and earn some money to live on. Josh quickly moves up the ladder at MacMillan Toy Company, and also attracts the attention of Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins), who has made a habit of sleeping with the new up-and-coming executives. The longer he inhabits his 30-year old body, the more he grows away from his childhood buddy, Billy. However, the day of reckoning eventually comes when he must make a choice.
Hanks & Perkins give outstanding performances; instead of "playing" a 12 year old, Hanks actually becomes one. His innocence is totally believable. Perkins plays the part of the ambitious Susan to perfection, and she is the perfect love interest for Hanks. Talk about chemistry!
This 2-Disc Edition gives you 2 versions of the movie; one is the theatrical version, and the other is an Extended Cut (note: NOT a director's cut...just an extra 20 minutes or so added back in). Skip the extended version; it adds nothing, and if anything slows the pacing down and adds sub plots that are meaningless (example: Billy's shrewish mother, played by Frances Fisher). The picture is wonderful; good detail and color. The sound is extremely disappointing. A 2 channel stereo mix? Where's the 5.1? In this day and age, hard to believe they couldn't have put together a nice surround mix for this one. It would really be fantastic in the Billy Idol limo scene!
There is an interesting "commentary" track by the writers/creators of "Big," Gary Ross & Anne Spielberg. Although extremely interesting, this would have been better as an audio-only supplement. A nice commentary that corresponds with the picture by director Marshall or Hanks would have been better. The track consists of current interviews with Ross & Spielberg (yes, Steven's sister) who introduce vintage audio tapes that they made while they brainstormed the idea of what would become "Big." The tapes do not correspond to what you see on your screen. Yes, it is interesting, but after awhile, it gets somewhat annoying having to listen to Gary continually talk over Anne and not letting her ideas be heard. It does appear that much of the movie that we know and love came from Anne, who quietly (and thankfully) persisted with her vision.
Disc 2 includes deleted scenes with commentary by director Penny Marshall. For one of her first movies, she does an excellent job. As did Anne, she had a vision of what the film and especially Hanks' performance should be and she stuck with it, despite the risks (example: at least 3 other age-change movies were ready for release before "Big" would be finished). There are a number of featurettes: "Big Beginnings", "Chemistry of a Classic", AMC Backstory, "The Work of Play," and "Carnival Party Newswrap" (a vintage film showing the wrap party for "Big."). There is a fair amount of overlap in all the extras, as Marshall, Ross, and Spielberg are the main contributors. Still, plenty of interesting tidbits; we came this close to seeing Robert DeNiro in the lead role. It is also interesting to hear the young stars of the film, David Moscow (young Josh) and Jared Rushton, discuss the filming. Perkins also gives some fun insights as well. Theatrical trailer and TV Spots round out this edition.
Overall, a nice set, but there is definitely room to grow for the next outing of this classic film.
|
|
