08/25/06 For Y'ur Height Only

For Y'ur Height Only (1979), directed by Eddie Nicart

watched w/ Leslie (partially); DVD (borrowed from Jason) @ home; suggested by Jasonsuggested by Jason

Stepping right off the small-screen (no pun truly intended, but it still fits) of anything that MST3K would pump out for our laughing enjoyment. This is so horribly bad, that it makes it kind of funny and enjoyable to watch. What we have here is from the Philippines, and stars the diminutive (2'9", and supposedly the shortest man to ever have a leading role in a major motion picture) Weng Weng as Agent 00. Knowing the movie's star quality and noting that the film is terribly dubbed in English over the Filipino actors...how can you go wrong?! This is obviously nothing but a spoof on the novelty of the James Bond-style movies, and it makes no bones about completely biting on their style (probably breaking some copyright infringement laws in the process)...all the way down to the clever (and shoddily made prop) gadgets like X-Ray specs and the familiar theme song. All the elements of a B-movie are in place, with the silly acting, out-of-place dubbing (why Filipino gangsters talk like James Cagney or Edward G. Robinson is beyond me), tacky costumes, sloppy editing of shots, and no real evidence of a script with a plot. With the antics on display here, you can't help but laugh (and then scratch your head wondering why people waste money on making films like this). You really just have to see this movie to believe it...or appreciate the campy quality of it. The main attraction is just having Agent 00 on board, letting him jump around and karate kick people in the face (errr...shins, whatever he can reach) and then end up in bed with some hotties. Part Shaft, part Mini-Me...all corny. He hardly has to talk in the film...always seemingly like he wants to say something, but is too shy. Let's get to know the real Weng Weng, and talk about his feelings. He's obviously hiding something under that gruff exterior and Monkees' haircut. Take time out from all of your saving the planet against the evil Mr. Giant and let us in Agent 00. Let us in.

3 out of 5 stars