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| Mr. Magoo - 1997 |
Coming up next we have 1997's "Mr. Magoo", a film about a very near-sighted older gentleman and his association with a large ruby. Thieves are after it, and he doesn't even realize that it is in his possession.
The film's cast includes Leslie Nielsen, Kelly Lynch, Matt Keeslar, Jennifer Garner, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ernie Hudson, Malcolm McDowell, and Miguel Ferrer.
The very near-sighted Mr. Quincy Magoo is attending the opening of a new museum wing that he's donated. The first exhibit to be held there is the "Treasures of Kuristan", featuring the rarest ruby in the world, the Star of Kuristan. Mr. Magoo and his nephew Waldo are met by the Kuristani envoy Stacey Sampanahoditra. Waldo and Stacey take an instant liking to each other.
Shortly after the opening of the exhibit, the Star of Kuristan is stolen by a pair of thieves. Mr. Magoo is very near the action, yet because of his eyesight he doesn't realize what is going on.
Before we go any further, I'd like to say a few words about Mr. Magoo's faithful canine companion, Angus. (Those sheets, right?!!!) Angus takes care of his master very well. He organizes all his outfits in the morning. And Angus is a pretty dapper dresser himself (as we'll see). After waking up in the morning, he puts on his own bathrobe. Keep a watch throughout this post for some awesome Angus sightings.
Because of his nearness to the actual crime, the FBI and the CIA both suspect Mr. Magoo of being complicit. Stacey really doesn't believe it.
While out on his boat one day with Angus, Mr. Magoo has a run-in with the thieves of the ruby. He doesn't realize it and the gem ends up in his fishing tacklebox. After his time ends on the water, he closes up the box, ruby still inside, and heads home.
To illustrate just how near-sighted Mr. Magoo is, I present this little episode. At the dock, Mr. Magoo sees the moving paddlewheel of a steamboat. "An escalator to the top. How swank," he exclaims as he climbs aboard. Luckily, he doesn't injure himself.
While preparing for the role of "Rolvaag, King of Norway" for a charity opera benefit, Mr. Magoo comes across one of the thieves of the ruby in disguise. She introduces herself as Prunella Pagliochi, and Mr. Magoo falls instantly in love.
The goings-on at the opera are absolutely hysterical to watch as Mr. Magoo makes one bumbling mistake after the next, tripping up the feds and the thieves all at the same time.
Mr. Magoo still doesn't realize he has the ruby in his possession. He thinks it's one of Angus's chew toys. Angus takes the ruby away as Mr. Magoo prepares a chicken dinner in a unique way.
The ruby gets taken from Mr. Magoo, and he's brought in on a plan to recover it at a wintery mountain lodge. He poses as a South American drug lord to gain access to an illegal sale. Sadly, he's found out when the tattoo he's applied to give himself some street cred has started to run in the pool.
And he's shocked when Prunella reveals herself as one of the thieves and holds him at gunpoint before making her escape with the ruby. She plans on selling it to a REAL South American drug lord.
As she makes her escape, Prunella gets on a snowmobile and heads quickly down the mountain.
The Magoos, now including Waldo and Angus, are on her trail. Mr. Magoo mistakes an upside down ironing board for a snowboard. Naturally, he crashes.
Realizing that they are being followed by the feds, Mr. Magoo and Waldo use branches to wipe away their tracks in the snow. Angus even gets a branch so he can help.
And finally, we're off to Brazil, where Mr. Magoo has to outsmart a vicious mandrill, be the bride at a wedding, and survive a trip down Iguazu Falls, all while keeping the ruby safe.
Everything works out. The ruby is put back on display at the museum, Waldo and Stacey get together, and Mr. Magoo and Angus head off for another adventure.
Cast rundown:
Leslie Nielsen..................................Mr. Quincy Magoo
Kelly Lynch.....................................Prunella Pagliochi
Matt Keeslar....................................Waldo Magoo
Jennifer Garner................................Stacey Sampanahoditra
Stephen Tobolowsky.........................Agent Chuck Stupack
Ernie Hudson...................................Agent Gustav Anders
Malcolm McDowell............................Austin Cloquet
Miguel Ferrer...................................Ortega Peru
And that's it for Mr. Magoo. This film was shot on location in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, Argentina, and Vancouver, Canada. The museum scenes were shot in the lobby of the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library. This film also marks the debut of Jennifer Garner.
After the film, an interesting disclaimer is shown in regards to the portrayal of someone with blindness or poor eyesight.
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