The cultural references of Wayne's World may date it a bit, but the nature and personality of its humor set it apart. There is a kind of naive benevolence and boundless joy which makes this movie so lovable. Its aimless plot and exaggerated humor are cute, without ever transcending that barrier into maudlin sentiment. This is a difficult mix to achieve, especially when so many comedians go out of their way to achieve "street credibility" through as much forced vulgarity and stereotypical humor as possible. Campbell and Carvey's characters were the ultimate comedic anti-heroes for generation X, even more so than Jay and Silent Bob, Bill and Ted, or Beavis and Butthead. They championed amateurism, paraded self-affecting humor, and became worshiped for telling everyone they weren't worthy. If '60s pop culture encouraged people to "do your own thing," Wayne and Garth were the genuine article in the '90s. Two complete geeks had fun acting as themselves, and became celebrated in the process. One of the true comedy classics of our time. 8.5/10
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epophimous29 April 2004
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Wayne's World—which it's hard to believe is two decades old this year—still provides me with a good time, Mike Meyers' unique brand of surreal humour still managing to tickle my ribs, the music still causing my head to bang (only perhaps not quite as hard), and Tia Carrere still making me wanna go 'Schwing!' . I don't know how much of this enjoyment is down to nostalgia—I was a metal/heavy rock fan in my twenties when I first saw the film—but my kids seem to enjoy its random, scatter-shot craziness just as much as I do, despite not understanding many of the 90s cultural references (and, thankfully, some of the more 'adult' humour).
7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for being able to whisk me back to a time when torn jeans, mullets and rock music ruled (I listen to BBC Radio 1 these days and I silently weep for the modern generation). -
phillafella12 April 2003WAYNE'S WORLD is actually one of the best SNL-inspired comedies ever made. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are way cool as Wayne and Garth. It's just shameful that the movie contains mostly wasted music...HYUH, RIGHT, if monkeys fly out of my butt. I think it the music here is excellent. Tia Carerre is hot as Wayne's love interest, and Rob Lowe does a fine job as the con artist who buys Wayne and Garth's show. Believe me, it's worthy.
4 out of 5 -
Michael_Elliott12 June 2013Wayne's World (1992)
*** (out of 4)
Highly entertaining big-screen version of the Saturday Night Live skit has best buds Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) partying and doing their public television show without much stress in their lives. This all changes once they meet up with a crooked producer (Rob Lowe) who decides to exploit their show. WAYNE'S WORLD isn't one of the greatest movies ever made but it's certainly charming and funny enough for what it is. I'd also say it's safe to say that this is one of the better SNL transitions to the movies and a lot of the credit has to go to its two stars. I think both Wayne and Garth would be downright annoying characters had the performances been off in any way but both Myers and Carvey really took these guys and made them, at times, stupid but also very charming and just the type of people you'd want to hang out with. There are all sorts of funny moments throughout the picture but the real highlights deal with the boys and their interactions with other people. Lara Lynn Boyle as Wayne's ex-girlfriend gets all sorts of funny moments as does Brian Doyle-Murray who ends up being a sponsor who gets on the wrong side of Wayne. There's also Ed O'Neill in a small role as well as Meat Loaf and Chris Farley. Also on hand is a terrific bit from Alice Cooper who nearly steals the film with the performance of "Feed My Frankenstein" and the hilarious backstage access where he talks about Milwaukee. Lowe also deserves a lot of credit with his comedy here as he's perfect as the snake in the grass. Even Tia Carrere does a nice job. Director Penelope Spheeris does a very good job at keeping the film moving at a very good pace and there's no question that she knows how to stage the various bits of classic rock music throughout. Fans of the SNL material are certainly going to eat this up as its as fresh today as it was when it was first released. -
Ruskington13 April 2020I've always found Mike Myers to be something of an acquired taste and struggle to warm to his work. Wayne's World is the one exception, and surely the highlight of his career. The film is fairly novel in its design and has a lot of very witty moments. Dana Carvey is arguably the star of the show, playing the uniquely amusing Garth to perfection. Tia Carrere and Rob Lowe round out a pretty strong cast with decent, if slightly cheesy, performances.
I would agree that the film has aged a lot since its release, but it serves as a cultural reference point and will remain a very nostalgic and enjoyable viewing experience for people of a certain age. The subversive takes on mainstream films become a bit tiresome and the love triangle story is a little corny but this is not a film that needs analysing in great detail. A fun movie, with its own unique vibe and styling. -
ReelCheese26 August 2006Remember how wildly popular this one was when it came out? "Wayne's World" didn't completely live up to all of the hype, but it's not a bad little comedy. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are great as Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, co-hosts of a basement-based cable access show. The duo seem to have it made when their show hits the commercial airwaves, but there might just be something sinister behind it all with executive Benjamin Kane (Rob Lowe) in charge.
"Wayne's World" is not generally uproarious, but it certainly has its moments (the backstage scene with Alice Cooper, portraying the leather-clad rocker and his bandmates as political sophisticates, is hilarious). Myers' act wears a bit thin as the film proceeds, and the "serious" stretch in which Wayne seemingly loses his girlfriend and best friend just doesn't fit. But even when it's not funny, "Wayne's World" is usually reasonably entertaining and charming. Carvey's bizarre Garth is one of the highlights, along with some memorable parodies and writing.
Based on the popular "Saturday Night Live" sketch, "Wayne's World" is definite period piece of the early 1990s. Its catchphrases ("... not!" and "Schwing!" among them) were repeated millions of times over by teenagers. It spawned a less-successful sequel, and although there was talk of a third installment, it's almost a certainty we've seen the last of Wayne and Garth. Nevertheless, party on! -
tim-764-2918568 July 2012As a middle-aged lover of world and art-house cinema, the lovably goofy Waynes World might seem an odd one for me to like and enjoy.
I've never owned it myself but as it's just been on Channel 4, I thought I'd see it once again, to see how it still fares. Though it's far from being my favourite movie of all time, it still hits the targets its designed to and manages to smell sweet when compared to the more recent torrent of comparative sewage that is hailed as gross-out 'comedy'.
Oddly, perhaps, it's impossible to dislike or find the two (Mike Myers and Dana Carvey) super-geeks annoying. The film is bright and breezy and rolls along like a continual Friday night out and the rock music references, including the famous Bohemian Rhapsody sung in their tiny car, always welcome.
The dream women in their lives are indeed good-looking girls and their portrayal are a fair balance between teenage male hormonal fantasy and real people with substance and character.
Considering Waynes World is supposed to be a Cult Movie, I'm surprised how few reviews there are here, on Amazon. Whether new audiences will ever warm to WW is a different matter altogether but for of us who's seen it come, go and now hang around, it still offers many pleasures. -
ray-28013 October 2006Ask most men within a decade of my age in either direction to list the 100 best movie scenes of all time, and the scene from "Wayne's World" where they sing/lip sync Bohemian Rhapsody in the car will be on more lists than not. It might even make every list. Not designed for the "critically acclaimed" snob set, Wayne's World, the film adaptation of the extremely popular Saturday Night Live skit by the same name, targets its audience perfectly and never even enters the water, let alone jumps any sharks. The movie is true to itself from start to finish.
The bedrock of the film, as well as the skit, is the unbending friendship of Wayne and Garth. Most children have one best friend who stands out above all others, and there's no mistaking that Wayne (SNL alum Mike Myers) and Garth (SNL alum Dana Carvey) have that type of friendship. The best friends host a cable access show in Aurora, Illinois, also sharing the skit's title. Other SNL alums, such as Brian Doyle-Murray (Noah) and Chris Farley (a concert security guard), round out the cast.
The plot centers around an opportunistic television producer named Benjamin Kane (Rob Lowe), who, with funding from an arcade owner, turns Wayne's World into a slickly produced national show, causing it to lose touch with its audience, and causing friction between Wayne and Garth, who feel they have sold out their fans and their roots. A love interest is tossed to Wayne in the form of Cassandra (Tia Carerre), in triangular form due to the attention paid to her by Kane as well as Wayne.
The pop-culture cuisinart responsible for most of the SNL skits was working in overdrive in this film, and that's a good thing. Everything from product placements, to gratuitous sex, to lame plot devices were lampooned. Rob Lowe was excellent as the sleazeball junior television executive, while cameos abound from the rock world, including Alice Cooper and Meat Loaf. Though not publicized as much as the other quotables from the movie, my personal favorite scene was when Wayne and Garth were each laying on parked cars, and Garth starts whistling the closing theme from Star Trek.
SNL-based movies have been hit-or-miss since their inception, but this was unquestionably a hit. -
ccthemovieman-120 September 2006As an older guy watching something geared more for a younger crowd, I would sit and watch this almost shaking my head in disbelief that I WAS watching this....and usually having a good time. It's brainless, but fun, like Mike Myers' stupid grin.
The humor is really stupid, silly, crude at times, innocent at times but funny many times. All that adds up to is an an hour-and-a-half of entertainment, so at least it succeeds in what it's trying to accomplish. So, even if it is far from a classy comedy, so what? How many are these days?
I can't knock something - even if this dumb - that makes me laugh. Apparently a lot of people agreed as it produced a sequel. -
Wayne's World is a silly yet utterly hilarious look at two dimwits (based on they're SNL skit Mike Myers and Dana Carvey) who have their own public access TV show called "Waynes World". The story thickens to a nice touch with Rob Lowe as a big time hot-shot who wants to bring their show to big heights. Tia Carrere has never been hotter as the woman who Wayne wants and "we'll be mine". Many sight gags, many good lines, and probably all quotable, this movie (like Myers' Austin Powers) belongs in a place in comedy film history. A++
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Hitchcoc30 December 2016I never saw the bit that led to this movie. It's my belief that a movie should work for someone, even if they are not familiar with the source material. For instance, we shouldn't have to read "Pride and Prejudice" to enjoy a film based on it. I do like Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. The use of local cable was an opportunity for those with some creative energy to get time to put their ideas out there. Now it's You Tube or streaming. There are several bits in this movie that are hilarious in and by themselves. But without a true center and a "script" it is just a compilation. There is no real story here. I know that some of the previous reviewers call those that don't like this "snobby." I believe what they are saying is that they don't like anyone really seeing what's there and putting an intelligent set of criteria on it. This is a silly movie and very funny in places. That's all it is.
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aheaven200513 August 2022One of the classica of my teenager years, Wayne's World was de facto included in all our all night movie marathons. Watching it with my son now, 30 years later, it still holds up as a funny and weird movie. Excellent!
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Now I'll admit something to start, I loved this movie growing up. My sister and I would watch this regularly as it always was on the movie channels. It is one that I learned more about as I got older and looked more into filmmaking. What I did know is that this is quotable from the jump, I thought Mike Myers and Dana Carvey were hilarious. Rob Lowe and Tia Carrere were great as well. I did get Jaime to watch this so she could understand some of the odd lines I'll drop.
The gist of this is that we have Wayne Campbell (Myers) and his best friend Garth Algar (Carvey) with a public access show. Their dream is to do it full time, but until then, they have day jobs. It is an oddball show that people around their age love. Benjamin Oliver (Lowe) sees an opportunity to buy it and exploit it. There's not much more to it.
If you don't know, this is a Saturday Night Live skit that grew into something more. This was that era where Hollywood was taking the properties and expanding it as they were bankable. What I will admit is that this isn't as good as I remember it. I'll admit, it was high up there so that is part of it. This is still socially relevant though. We see the problems of capitalism on an interesting scale. It makes jokes about corporate America taking things and ruining it. We are seeing the dangers of advertising and selling out. It is all done in a tongue and cheek way.
I still find Myers and Carvey funny here. Lowe is great as this slimy corporate guy. Carrere is gorgeous. I like seeing Brian Doyle-Murray, Kurt Fuller, Colleen Camp, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf, Robert Patrick, Alice Cooper and Ed O'Neill in cameos. It doesn't hold up as well as I wish, but I still have fun with this one.
My Rating: 7 out of 10. -
I remember back when this was released that I absolutely loved it. Honestly, I really don't know why. I suspect that it could have been because it was sort of like Bill and Ted, namely because the main characters come across as a couple of stoners. However, upon watching it recently I was actually pretty surprised to discover that it was actually really, really bad. The reason this surprised me is because Mike Meyers have made some absolute hits, but for some reason in this film his acting was really really bad. Mind you, I suspect the problem is that I am not familiar with the skit that this film was based on, which was the Wayne's World that the film focuses on.
So, the film is about these two guys that run a PBS show from their basement called Wayne's World. Anyway, it simply seems to be life as normal as they wander around the suburb of Aurora, that is until Wayne meets this woman who happens to be the lead singer of a heavy metal band, and that a big time producer approaches him to have his show filmed in a proper studio, and is willing to pay him money, and a lot of it.
Of course, things end up going terribly wrong, especially when they discover that the reason the show was picked up was because the producers saw that they could make money from it. Wayne, of course, doesn't particularly want to play ball, and eventually everything starts going pear shaped which leads to the famous three different endings.
One of the interesting things about this film is that they break the fourth wall, constantly, which if done well can be quite amusing. As I indicated, when I first saw this film, I loved it, and in fact back in the day I really don't know how many times I've actually watched it. However, as time moved on, it sort of disappeared into the background, and I eventually forgot about it. Yeah, it turns out that, well, it really wasn't all that good, and now that I have watched it with a different pair of eyes, I guess I can get on with my life minus the misconception that this was a good film. -
I thought this was mildly amusing, much better than most SNL movies not that it is much of a race mind you. This one stars Wayne and Garth as they do their thing and finally get recognized and offered their own show. There is also a girl rocker that is in this one a bit to much as the problem with both this film and its sequel is the presence of Tia Carrera. One has to believe that Mike Myers had a thing for her as she was to much of a focal point of both movies. She was attractive, but she could not sing or act worth a crap. Still, there are funny bits here and there like their speech on how they would never bow down to sponsors and the ending which had multiple parts to it. Also rather funny, a scene where they get pulled over by a cop looking for someone. Though for all the funny stuff that was in the movie there were also a lot of cringe worthy jokes that did not work at all, much like your typical SNL skit that has gone on to long. Saturday Night Live may have made some of the better comedic actors, but most of the films based on their skits suck, while this is an exception as it does not really suck, it is just a mild comedy that is just a longer skit that has flashes of being rather funny, but in the end rather forgettable.
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This movie is not just funny, but it also has a decent story without any boring drama. With good characters, funny jokes, and decent drama, you get a nice experience to sit through. It's also memorable. You won't get bored of this movie at all with these quotable phrases and funny situations.
Pros:- Funny jokes and scenes
- Good characters
- Decent drama
No cons that I can think of.
Score: 9 -
bkoganbing13 October 2020Before he was that international man of mystery Austin Powers, Mike Myers starred n the two Wayne's World pictures as an appealing but goofy loser withhis matched friend Dana Carvey as Garth. The two have a local cable access channel station where they do their thing for a Chicago based audience. It's good they have some interests since neither can hold down a job for long.
But Sammy Glick like advertising executive Rob Lowe doing one of his heel type roles thinks the show might have some appeal. He gets a sponsor and the boys are on real television.
There's something kind of sweet in their naivete. In any event the two learn a harsh lesson in the concept of creative control.
Like the guys the film is charming in a goofy sort of way. But if Lowe's right and this is what appeals to American youth, as the president of that time said we're in some deep doo doo. -
g-bodyl8 June 2011When I first saw this movie, I thought the two main characters would give me a splitting headache. They seemed like the types who would. But since nothing else was on, I decided to take the risk. I was pleasantly surprised they way the film turned out. It's not the best movie ever, but I had a fun time.
This film is about two guys who run a TV show called "Wayne's World." Thats pretty much the plot.
The acting is pretty good. Mike Myers had a solid film debut. Tia Carrere spices up a few things in the movie. And I was happy to see Chris Farley.
Overall, this is a good movie with some funny gags. I rate this film 7/10. -
TheMysteriousReviewer12 February 2023Who knew that a rock n roll comedy would be this hilarious? Wayne's World is one of the most funniest comedies of the 90s. Yes this is the kind of movie that does not take itself seriously, but it has been executed well thanks to its clever writing that provides with a solid story that allows the duo to play around a TV studio they upgraded their show for, hilarious characters, great direction that provides both the logic and the comedy seem fun to be in, and entertaining song covers coming from Tia Carrere. This is the comedy I highly recommend, especially for rockers. I know there are certain people out there that aren't like me and are truly into rock music. I'll say that even people with other favorite music genre will enjoy this if they ever want to watch a comedy like this. Not only do I say it's a great movie, this is probably one of my favorite rock n roll movies out there. This is the kind of comedy that rocks out at its time.
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"Wayne's World" was inescapable in 1992 and its iconic status is valid. For a comedy, this is wildly hit-or-miss, but when the jokes do hit, they're actually very funny. I still don't understand the Bohemian Rhapsody segment (I mean, just ... why?) but I find myself laughing the most at the supporting cast. Ed O'Neill has some great lines, and Chris Farley makes the most out of his (completely random) fleeting appearance. Although, random is a great word for the movie, because it explains much of Dana Carvey's performance (and he's great here).
It was never gonna come close to The Blues Brothers, but it's not bad. -
bradleyadita25 October 2007Penelope Spheeris (also of the Decline of Western Civilization Series and Suburbia) was chosen as the director of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey's SNL creation. This is the film that catapulted both comedians' careers into the stratosphere. 1992 is an interesting time in alternative rock history between the peak of grunge in 1991, and the coming crest of the "punk revival" in 1994 with Green Day, Offspring and Rancid. Wayne's World reveled in this new "alternative rock," music a concept which was at the time much more flexible than it is now. Rife with irony, alternative rock was eventually the name given to the music that blended aspects of rock, metal, punk, pop, and eclectic "weirdness." While Wayne is the more metal half of the excellent duo, Garth is the grunge/nerd/"punk" side of the equation.
Heavy metal rock and roll fandom provides the backdrop for a non-stop train wreck of social satire. Only in 1992; and only in Meyer's and Carvey's comedic genius could Aurora, Illinois ever seem so cool. Wayne's World, in the film's plot, is the name of a Cable Access television show (dare I say "DIY") hosted by Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar. Rob Lowe plays Benjamin, an advertising scout/producer who is looking for talent to promote a chain of video game arcade stores. He finds his muse in the low-brow witticism, promptly signs the boys, and sets them up in a proper television studio. A battle ensues between Ben and Wayne for the affection of one way-hot Cassandra (Tia Carrere) who is easily lured away from Wayne at the first flourish of Benjamin's bountiful extravagance. Wayne and Garth's plans to win back Cassandra culminate in the film's tripartite finale.
"...with an underlying revisionist's conceit that belied the film's emotional attachments to the subject matter..." the film was truly entertaining, whimsical, and relevant. And to reassure Garth; No, it did not suck. -
Calicodreamin17 January 2022A goofy buddy comedy that is full of spoofs and great music. There's a semblance of a plot on there but it's all about the goofs. Myers and Carvey have great buddy chemistry and Lowe plays the perfect douche.
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comedyfan714 December 2023I remember when this came out in 1992, and it was a big deal. Everyone everywhere was quoting it and it was in a way a part of pop culture, a bit like Austin Powers, another Myers film, became half a decade later on. Just like Austin Powers this is a very funny and iconic 90s film.
The acting is good and Wayne and Garth are relatable and believable characters. Rob Lowe puts in a very good performance, and there's some nice and funny cameos from the likes of Alice Cooper. The ending never fails to make me crack up and the hit to miss ratio is very high. Great music too! You really feel included as the audience with its constant talking to the camera, some fourth wall break jokes in films fail miserably but here they pretty much all work. There's a lot of good in-jokes in the film too. The sharp writing and great pacing help to make a very good comedy film.
I don't have any major criticisms of the film, for a movie based from Saturday Night Live this is as good as it gets along with the Blues Brothers.
8/10. -
mark.waltz26 July 2023It takes someone with a big brain to come up with witty stupid lines where the joke will only make sense to people of certain kind of smarts. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey repeat their roles from the Saturday Night Live skits, a difficult task to bring to the big screen, and it's done with heart and purpose, showing Wayne and Garth beyond their stereotypical idiocy, and giving Myers and Carvey something to work with beyond the cliches of the sketch. They have a public access show which opportunistic producer Rob Lowe wants to exploit, his motives obvious from the start.
Various SNL stars make cameos, but outside of Myers and Carvey, thumbs up go to Lowe (a very funny villain), Tia Carrare as a Cantonese rock star whom Wayne falls for, Lara Flynn Boyle as his obsessive ex and Brian Doyle-Murray as the sponsor whom Wayne secretly ridicules on the show. Funny lines and situations, great music (highlighted by "Bohemian Rhapsody") and all of the Wayne's gang catch phrases. With other attempts to make movies out of SNL sketches flopping, this one's a surprisingly sweet film, parodying the early 90's and the media with gusto, and coming off as smarter than expected, the most surprising element of them all. -
This movie was made before Mike Myers knew how to be funny. His comic chops were not at the standard that we are accustomed to. When originally made, this movie was 45 minutes long. I can see why. There's just not much of a redeeming factor while watching this movie. I felt like I wasted an hour and a half. Dana Carvey, in my estimation is not, and has never been very funny. His brand of comedy may have worked years ago, but it does nothing but put a damper on an already awful movie. For those of you who wasted 8 or 9 dollars on to go see this, I am truly sorry. For those of you who buy this movie? I truly feel sorry for you