Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 7, 1993 TAG: 9308070136
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo Correspondent
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
By itself, that's neither particularly bad nor good. But the film also attempts to comment on the many problems facing urban black communities. In that regard, it's so poorly thought through - and finally so wrong - that it's almost insulting.
Jefferson Reed (writer/director Robert Townsend) is a mild-mannered substitute teacher. His rough Washington, D.C., neighborhood is ruled by a drug gang, the Golden Lords, who favor ugly blond hair color. One night, while he's running from them, he's hit by a small meteor. SHAZAM! (or whatever) a new superhero is created.
But it turns out that Meteor Man has a curious combination of powers. He can see through clothes, but not through underwear. If he touches a book, he knows everything that's in it, but only for 30 seconds. He can fly, but he's afraid of heights. Bullets don't harm him, but he's still a scairdy-cat.
So, when his parents (Robert Guillaume and Marla Gibbs) try to promote him as the neighborhood's savior, he's dubious. How can he save anyone?
As an actor, Townsend is a believably ambivalent hero. But he seems to have had as much trouble making up his mind as writer and director, too. Taken on its own terms, his story doesn't make sense. In one scene, everybody knows that Jeff is Meteor Man; in the next, no one does. Cameo appearances by several other actors, comedians and singers don't advance the plot.
Finally, Townsend writes himself into a corner at the end of his story. In an effort to solve the conflicts that he has raised, he seems to be saying that the only answer to urban problems is more firearms for the neighborhoods that are threatened. That may make a good NRA sound bite, but it doesn't work on the big screen.
To be fair, "Meteor Man" has a few funny moments. One near the end is flat-out hilarious. But that's precious little for a film that's supposed to be a comedy.
\ Meteor Man: ** An MGM release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 96 min. Rated PG for violence, some strong language.
by CNB