For example, fine, we can grant that maybe in the world there exists one video store that still deals exclusively in VHS. Sure, that store could be staffed by two slightly dim clerks (Mos Def and Danny Glover), one of whom has a best friend (Jack Black) who lives wraps himself in tin foil and lives right next to an electric power plant. And if you’re willing to grant all that, why not toss in a neighborhood full of people who totally don’t mind being ripped off with seriously absurd remakes of their favorite movies? Even if you let Gondry get away with all of that, he still can’t sustain movie packed to the brim with silly characters and events.
The best part of the film is obviously the remakes that Jack Black and Mos Def produce. Their creativity is pretty incredible (especially given their seemingly single-digit IQ’s). And it’s a joy to watch them try to figure out how to shoot night scenes during the day, create ectoplasm rays, and give newly-shot film the impression of looking old and grainy. All of this is great…too bad it only lasts about 15 minutes.
The rest of the movie is schmaltzy treacle dealing with Glover trying to keep his video store from being condemned and torn down. The neighborhood unites behind him, they all learn the joys of movie-making and everyone joins together to be happy and whimsical and…too bad I lost interest after Jack Black stopped pretending to be Jessica Tandy from Driving Miss Daisy.
Save yourself the $10 and skip Be Kind Rewind. Anyway, after Jack Black sings his version of the Ghostbusters theme song, that’s going to be the only movie you really want to watch. Luckily you’ve probably already seen that part in the trailer, so get to Blockbuster and you can even rent a VHS copy, if you’re feeling whimsical.
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