Movie Review: My Name Is Bruce
By Joel West
November 20, 2008
Stop right now! If you do not call yourself a fan of Bruce Campbell, then do not read any further. Read Matthew Huntley's spot-on review of Quantum of Solace instead. If you have never heard of Campbell, get yourself a copy of Evil Dead II or Bubba Ho-Tep and marvel at how you have gone through life not even knowing who this arrogant genius is.
For all the Campbell-ites, please read on.
Campbell is currently touring the country, showing his directorial debut, My Name is Bruce, to audiences and providing select screenings with a Q&A. Take me at my word, that is the only way to see this movie. Sitting in a crowded theater having a hell of a time with your fellow Campbell-ites and then getting to see the man himself will send you home with a smile on your face for days to come.
I will not bore the masses with my tale of passing Mr. Campbell on the escalator at the theater only able to muster a simple hand wave. Or how Mr. Campbell responded with a friendly salute back, only the way he could. No, I will get immediately into how good he is at actually helming a fright flick.
My Name is Bruce is nothing more than love letter from Campbell to his fans. I have heard detractors state that this film is for Campbell die-hards only. And his other films weren't!? Listen, no one will ever confuse My Name is Bruce with a good movie, but Campbell is so clearly having a good time that you won't even notice. He totally spoofs his "celebrity" and the cult following he has - but not in the way Shatner cruelly did to his legions of Trek fans many moons ago on SNL. Instead, My Name is Bruce is reminescent of Galaxy Quest, a film that both spoofed and celebrated the joys of being a Trekker. Like Galaxy Quest, My Name is Bruce is nothing more than a Three Amigos! retread where Campbell, playing himself as an egotistical ass, is kidnapped by the residents of the small town, Gold Lick. Gold Lick mistake Campbell for the monster slayer from his films and then forces him to fight a real-life monster that has awakened and is terrorizing their town. You weren't looking for originality in a Campbell film, were you?
Since Evil Dead 4 is looking more and more unlikely, this film is as close as we are going to get to another adventure with Ash. And fans can relish in that. Whereas Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull betrayed the character and forced us to swallow a story the filmmakers clearly weren't taking seriously, My Name is Bruce just lets the audience enjoy our reluctant hero. Campbell is having the time of his life spouting out one-liners that either mock those around him or even himself. You will definitely walk out with some memorable quotes. And he even populates the film with some familiar faces from his previous classics. As a director, Campbell is clearly borrowing from Sam Raimi and Don Coscarelli, but at this point in his career Campbell isn't looking to reinvent himself. Instead he wants have a rollicking good time with those that love him most.
For further proof of that, wait to see the man live at his Q&A. He works like a stand-up comedian, revealing a quick wit that isn't aided by a movie script. Nothing is off limits and he doesn't mind letting you know your question is "f*ing stupid". Campbell pretty much shoots down any chances of another round with The Evil Dead, mocks the very idea of a remake, and officially breaks his fan's hearts when he details specifically why he won't be Elvis in Bubba Nosferatu.
Fear not, fans. Campbell doesn't need to reprise Ash, Elvis or Brisco County Jr. He has finally found a new character that his Campbellites can embrace - himself.
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