Back in 1988, this was a big hit. I saw it when I was pretty young, and I enjoyed it then. This, and Kindergarten Cop, are the only really good Schwarzenegger comedies. However, I find that this isn't quite as good as I remember, but mostly because the cast is unbalanced. While Schwarzenegger gets some really nice gags, he doesn't have much performing to do. I found that DeVito is the real highlight. He sells every delivery. He manages to make some otherwise unfunny dialogue into some very funny material. His character has a stronger arc, which is a little strange, since Schwarzenegger doesn't have much to learn.
The most interesting thing about this movie is that it's a great example of how comedies have changed between the mid-80s and modern times. The jokes a little less forceful. The pacing is less manic. This isn't to say that it's a subtle movie, far from it. But so much of the humor comes from the performances, and so much less comes from the dialogue.
There is one substantial plot hole that bothers me.
When the brothers go to find their mother, she doesn't identify herself, and only gives some information about the artists commune she lives on. After they leave, she tells others that these people were real estate developers, posing as her children. This makes no sense. Does lying about her identity prevent real estate developers from wanting to buy the property? Even if we suppose that the purpose is just to prevent them from trying to get her to sell, wouldn't they want to find whomever owns the property?
It remains a charming movie, but it makes me more convinced that I should find more of DeVito's work.
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