Terribly Awesome!: The Stupids

Just another Manic Monday? Wish it was Sunday? Nothing beats a case of the Mondays like a camp-out. And we ain't talkin' s'mores, sing-a-longs and psycho killers. We're talking about getting in touch with your guilty pleasure zone. That's right, every Monday we'll be bringing you the best of the worst. It's gonna be awesome - and terrible! - all at the same time.

Photo: moviegoods.com

THE STUPIDS (1996)

Sometimes jokes are so stupid, they're hilarious, and these are the jokes The Stupids thrives on. The Stupids does ridiculousness to perfection.

Based on a book series, the movie follows an insane family of four who embarks on a quest to uncover who stole their garbage over night and along the way, weaves up an unthinkable conspiracy theory that involves aliens, the military and the most evil of all evil masterminds. It's completely irrational and utterly absurd and that's what makes it so awesome. It's so far-fetched that in a way, it almost makes sense. You know, in the way that Chinese food restaurants secretly working for a madman that's trying to take over the world by unsuspectingly stealing people's garbage makes sense.

Along the way, they travel through time, die and meet God, uncover an illegal military operation and of course, save all of humanity.

Join the ridiculous ride...

Why it's terrible:

The animated cat and dog

Just because they're in the book doesn't mean they need to be in the movie. They're ugly and pointless, not to mention unfunny.

The moronic army men

Most of this film is about the Stupids acting stupid in real-life situations, but these army men are just as stupid as the Stupids and they shouldn't be! What makes the Stupids funny is how literally the take the world, not how stupidly the world takes them.

"I'm My Own Grandpa"

It's a favourite scene for many but it's actually not funny. You end up wondering if the song is actually logical rather than laugh at it.

The Warehouse 21 scene

Too many explosions and too much chaos, not enough silly antics. Sure, the Stupids unwittingly kick bad-guy butt, but it was too predictable.

Why it's awesome:

Man bush

Spying on the garbage thieves (aka garbage men), Stanley (Tom Arnold) indiscernibly disguises himself as a bush. He realizes to act like a bush, he must think like a bush. Remarkably, he is the first bush in history with arms and legs! “Half man, half plant, he dwells in two worlds but is the master of both!”

"Two Alien Pilots Pick Nose"

Joan (Jessica Lundy), Petunia (Alex McKenna) and Buster (Bug Hall) sleuth their ways into The Daily Times newsroom and scour the computer database for information on Stanley who'd gone missing earlier in the day. The enter a password (Buster guesses "nose"), run a search for Stanley Stupid and upload his photo. Moments later, the news is delivered to aliens in space. They pick their noses and it's front page news! Stanley Stupid is in big trouble...

"Give it to the fat guy"

One of the many great one-liners in the film. Backstage at a talk show, Joan has a delivery for a fat guy so she makes a sign to go with her package. Unfortunately, she writes it on a cue card. On stage, the talk show host wholeheartedly throws to the next segment with, "Let's give it to the fat guy!"

The drive B

In yet another insane plot, Joan, Buster and Petunia wreck a computer which warms them: "Fatal Error Drive B." Joan phones Stanley while he's driving to warn him to beware the drive B. Just then, a bee flies in through the window and Stanley's logic kicks in, “What are you doing you darn bee, can't you see I'm trying to drive? Oh my god the drive bee!”

Mr. Sender

Christopher Lee is the pure evil mastermind that is Mr. Sender. You know, the same Mr. Sender that appears on mail marked "Return to Sender." He is the reason that the police, military, aliens and the drive bee are all after the Stupids! He is the one stealing mail and garbage! It's all him! Evil, evil, evil! Lee and his fingernails are the perfect touch to this role.