Today’s quick review: Johnny Dangerously. In 1935, New York gangster Johnny Dangerously (Michael Keaton) recounts his rise thorugh the world of organized crime. He gets his start as a teenager working for mob boss Jocko Dundee (Peter Boyle) and soon rises through the ranks to become a successful criminal in his own right. But when his brother Tommy (Griffin Dunne) becomes the District Attorney, Johnny must choose between his family and his career.
Johnny Dangerously is a crime comedy that spoofs Prohibition-era gangster flicks. Michael Keaton stars as John Kelly, alias Johnny Dangerously, a popular gangster with an upbeat attitude and plenty of money to throw around. He’s backed by a supporting cast that includes Joe Piscopo, Maureen Stapleton, Danny DeVito, and Dom DeLuise. The film’s colorful characters and quotable dialogue make it an entertaining watch for the right viewer.
Johnny Dangerously shares its style of humor with films like Airplane! and The Naked Gun. It tones down the sight gags, slapstick, and general absurdity in favor of more focused humor and a more coherent story. Johnny Dangerously lacks the comedic expertise and density of jokes found in these films, but it has the solid comedic acting, memorable dialogue, and infectiously light tone it needs to hold its own against the giants of the genre.
Watch Johnny Dangerously if you’re a fan of the ridiculous, good-natured side of comedy. Johnny Dangerously turns the 1930s criminal underworld of New York into an altogether happier, sillier, and more entertaining place. For an even more absurd crime spoof with a less coherent story, check out Mafia!. For a parody of the modern crime genre with more slapstick and wordplay, try The Naked Gun.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a fun sense of humor and a light tone.