Suburban Commando
Encyclopedia
Suburban Commando is a 1991 science fiction comedy film starring Hulk Hogan
and Christopher Lloyd
. Burt Kennedy
directed the film based on a screenplay by Frank Cappello
. The film was originally titled "Urban Commando", and was intended for Danny DeVito
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
. When these two opted to make Twins (1988
), the script was bought by New Line Cinema
as the follow-up to another Hulk Hogan film, No Holds Barred (1989
).
One notable appearance in the film was of professional wrestler Mark Calaway, also known as "The Undertaker". His character in the film spoke only once, and in a high pitch voice, saying "You're a dead man Ramsey." Several internet memes were spawned from the film; most notable is Christopher Lloyd's line 'I was frozen today!' which was referenced in a video by The Nostalgia Critic
. Frank Welker
also voiced Suitor in his alien form.
s as he does so and getting off the ship just before it explodes.
Due to his inability to save the President, Shep's superior officer suggests that he is "stressed out" and that he should take a vacation. Annoyed, Shep accidentally smashes his control systems and is thus forced to crash land on Earth and wait for his spaceship to repair itself. He has little knowledge of Earth's customs, and his temper and sense of justice cause a lot of problems for the people around him, especially a mime artist
he frequently runs into and continually tries to help (such as getting him out of his 'invisible box').
Charlie Wilcox (Christopher Lloyd
) is a weak-spirited designer for the fawning and hypocritical
boss of his company, Adrian Beltz (Larry Miller
). His wife Jenny (Shelley Duvall
) constantly, but unsuccessfully, tries to encourage him to stand up for himself. In order to help their financial situation, she rents out Charlie's hobby shed as a vacation cabin, which Shep leases. Shep's appearance and behavior do little to invite Charlie's confidence, and he begins to spy on his guest. He soon discovers Shep's advanced equipment and as he fools with it, an energy source signal emanating from it is traced by Suitor, who has escaped the destruction of his ship and now sends a pair of intergalactic bounty hunter
s after Shep. Another problem is that Shep requires several rare crystals to fix his ship, the closest samples of which can be found in Beltz's office. Charlie assists him in getting into the building during a reception party, but then the bounty hunters corner them. After winning a furious fight, Shep and Charlie proceed to repair the ship.
With the defeat of the bounty hunters, Suitor himself comes to Earth. Seeking revenge, he takes Charlie's family hostage, forcing Charlie to lead him to Shep. Suitor begins torturing Shep, enjoying himself before he plans to go for the kill. Finding his courage, Charlie is able to injure Suitor, who then turns into his monstrous form. Physically outmatched, Shep is forced to set his ship to self-destruct, and he and Charlie just manage to escape the ship's explosion, which takes out Suitor for good.
Shep leaves Earth using the bounty hunters' ship to try for a quiet family life with Beltz's secretary, Margie. Charlie, on the other hand, has become bolder from his experiences; he appears in Beltz's office the following morning, yelling at his boss in front of witnesses, and finally quits his thankless job.
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor. He is best known for playing Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, and Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He played Reverend Jim Ignatowski in the television series Taxi and more...
. Burt Kennedy
Burt Kennedy
Burt Kennedy was an American screenwriter and director known for mainly directing film Westerns.After World War II service in the 1st Cavalry Division, Muskegon, Michigan-born Kennedy found work writing for radio, then used his training as a cavalry officer to secure a job as a fencing trainer and...
directed the film based on a screenplay by Frank Cappello
Frank Cappello
Frank A. Cappello is a screenwriter, film producer and director. His credits include writing the screenplay for Constantine and writing, directing and producing He Was a Quiet Man.-Filmography:As Writer:*Suburban Commando *No Way Back...
. The film was originally titled "Urban Commando", and was intended for Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito
Daniel Michael DeVito, Jr. , better known as Danny DeVito, is an American actor, comedian, director and producer. He first gained prominence for his portrayal of Louie De Palma on the ABC and NBC television series Taxi , for which he won a Golden Globe and an Emmy.DeVito and his wife, Rhea Perlman,...
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
. When these two opted to make Twins (1988
1988 in film
-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
), the script was bought by New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
as the follow-up to another Hulk Hogan film, No Holds Barred (1989
1989 in film
-Events:* Batman is released on June 23, and goes on to gross over $410 million worldwide.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
).
One notable appearance in the film was of professional wrestler Mark Calaway, also known as "The Undertaker". His character in the film spoke only once, and in a high pitch voice, saying "You're a dead man Ramsey." Several internet memes were spawned from the film; most notable is Christopher Lloyd's line 'I was frozen today!' which was referenced in a video by The Nostalgia Critic
The Nostalgia Critic
The Nostalgia Critic is a web television series starring Doug Walker as the eponymous reviewer. The series was initially launched on YouTube before moving to an independent site, That Guy with the Glasses, run by production company Channel Awesome...
. Frank Welker
Frank Welker
Franklin Wendell "Frank" Welker is an American actor who specializes in voice acting and has contributed character voices and other vocal effects to American television and motion pictures.-Acting career:...
also voiced Suitor in his alien form.
Plot
Shep Ramsey, an interstellar warrior, is on a mission to take down the intergalactic despot General Suitor (William Ball), who has kidnapped President Hashina, the ruler of an alien planet. Shep gets on board Suitor's flagship but is unable to rescue Hashina, who is killed by Suitor, who turns into a berserk reptilian alien after he gets wounded. Shep barely escapes, but attaches limpet mineLimpet mine
A limpet mine is a type of naval mine attached to a target by magnets; they are so named because of their superficial similarity to the limpet, a type of mollusk....
s as he does so and getting off the ship just before it explodes.
Due to his inability to save the President, Shep's superior officer suggests that he is "stressed out" and that he should take a vacation. Annoyed, Shep accidentally smashes his control systems and is thus forced to crash land on Earth and wait for his spaceship to repair itself. He has little knowledge of Earth's customs, and his temper and sense of justice cause a lot of problems for the people around him, especially a mime artist
Mime artist
A mime artist is someone who uses mime as a theatrical medium or as a performance art, involving miming, or the acting out a story through body motions, without use of speech. In earlier times, in English, such a performer was referred to as a mummer...
he frequently runs into and continually tries to help (such as getting him out of his 'invisible box').
Charlie Wilcox (Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor. He is best known for playing Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, and Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He played Reverend Jim Ignatowski in the television series Taxi and more...
) is a weak-spirited designer for the fawning and hypocritical
Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie....
boss of his company, Adrian Beltz (Larry Miller
Larry Miller (actor)
Lawrence J. "Larry" Miller is an American actor, voice artist, comedian, podcaster, and columnist.-Early life:Miller was born in Valley Stream, New York, attended Valley Stream South High School graduating in 1971. He attended Amherst College...
). His wife Jenny (Shelley Duvall
Shelley Duvall
Shelley Alexis Duvall is an American film and television actress best known for her roles in The Shining, Popeye, Thieves Like Us and 3 Women....
) constantly, but unsuccessfully, tries to encourage him to stand up for himself. In order to help their financial situation, she rents out Charlie's hobby shed as a vacation cabin, which Shep leases. Shep's appearance and behavior do little to invite Charlie's confidence, and he begins to spy on his guest. He soon discovers Shep's advanced equipment and as he fools with it, an energy source signal emanating from it is traced by Suitor, who has escaped the destruction of his ship and now sends a pair of intergalactic bounty hunter
Bounty hunter
A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward . Other names, mainly used in the United States, include bail enforcement agent and fugitive recovery agent.-Laws in the U.S.:...
s after Shep. Another problem is that Shep requires several rare crystals to fix his ship, the closest samples of which can be found in Beltz's office. Charlie assists him in getting into the building during a reception party, but then the bounty hunters corner them. After winning a furious fight, Shep and Charlie proceed to repair the ship.
With the defeat of the bounty hunters, Suitor himself comes to Earth. Seeking revenge, he takes Charlie's family hostage, forcing Charlie to lead him to Shep. Suitor begins torturing Shep, enjoying himself before he plans to go for the kill. Finding his courage, Charlie is able to injure Suitor, who then turns into his monstrous form. Physically outmatched, Shep is forced to set his ship to self-destruct, and he and Charlie just manage to escape the ship's explosion, which takes out Suitor for good.
Shep leaves Earth using the bounty hunters' ship to try for a quiet family life with Beltz's secretary, Margie. Charlie, on the other hand, has become bolder from his experiences; he appears in Beltz's office the following morning, yelling at his boss in front of witnesses, and finally quits his thankless job.