The Meteor Man (film): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|1993 film by Robert Townsend}} |
{{short description|1993 film by Robert Townsend}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} |
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{{Infobox film |
{{Infobox film |
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| name = The Meteor Man |
| name = The Meteor Man |
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| image = Meteor man.jpg |
| image = Meteor man.jpg |
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| image_size = |
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| caption = Theatrical release poster |
| caption = Theatrical release poster |
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| director = [[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]]<ref>{{cite news|title= As Robert Townsend Sees It : He's Fighting Stereotypes With 'Meteor Man' and New TV Show|work= The Los Angeles Times|date=1993-08-03|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-03/entertainment/ca-19814_1_robert-townsend|access-date=2010-10-10|first=Greg|last=Braxton}}</ref> |
| director = [[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]]<ref>{{cite news|title= As Robert Townsend Sees It : He's Fighting Stereotypes With 'Meteor Man' and New TV Show|work= The Los Angeles Times|date=1993-08-03|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-03/entertainment/ca-19814_1_robert-townsend|access-date=2010-10-10|first=Greg|last=Braxton}}</ref> |
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| producer = Robert Townsend<br />Loretha C. Jones |
| producer = Robert Townsend<br />Loretha C. Jones |
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| writer = Robert Townsend |
| writer = Robert Townsend |
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| starring = {{Plain list|<!--Per poster billing--> |
| starring = {{Plain list|<!--Per poster billing--> |
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| cinematography = [[John A. Alonzo]] |
| cinematography = [[John A. Alonzo]] |
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| editing = Adam Bernardi<br>Richard Candib<br>Robaire W. Estel<br>Andrew London<br>Pam Wise |
| editing = Adam Bernardi<br>Richard Candib<br>Robaire W. Estel<br>Andrew London<br>Pam Wise |
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| studio = Tinsel Townsend Studios |
| studio = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures]]<br>Tinsel Townsend Studios |
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| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] |
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM/UA Distribution Co.]] |
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| released = {{Film date|1993|08|06|United States}} |
| released = {{Film date|1993|08|06|United States}} |
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| runtime = 100 minutes |
| runtime = 100 minutes |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| budget = $20 million<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-03-ca-19814-story.html |title=As Robert Townsend Sees It : He's Fighting Stereotypes With 'Meteor Man' and New TV Show|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date= December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
| budget = $20 million<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-03-ca-19814-story.html |title=As Robert Townsend Sees It : He's Fighting Stereotypes With 'Meteor Man' and New TV Show|website=Los Angeles Times|date=3 August 1993 |access-date= December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
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| gross = $8 million<br><small>(domestic)</small><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0107563/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |title=The Meteor Man (1993)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date= December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
| gross = $8 million<br><small>(domestic)</small><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0107563/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |title=The Meteor Man (1993)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date= December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''The Meteor Man''''' is a 1993 American [[Superhero film|superhero |
'''''The Meteor Man''''' is a 1993 American [[Superhero film|superhero]] [[comedy film]] written, directed, co-produced and starring [[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]] with supporting roles by [[Marla Gibbs]], [[Eddie Griffin]], [[Robert Guillaume]], [[James Earl Jones]], [[Bill Cosby]], and [[Another Bad Creation]]. The film also features special appearances by [[Luther Vandross]], [[Sinbad (entertainer)|Sinbad]], [[Naughty by Nature]], [[Cypress Hill]], and [[Big Daddy Kane]]. Townsend stars as a mild-mannered schoolteacher who becomes a [[superhero]] after his neighborhood in [[Washington, D.C.]] is terrorized by street gangs.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Meteor Man(1993)|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/the-meteor-man/|publisher=Yahoo movies|access-date=27 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : SUPER MEN : 'Blankman,' Meet 'Meteor Man' |work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1993-05-02/entertainment/ca-29997_1_meteor-man|access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref> |
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It is one of the earliest superhero films to feature an African-American in a starring role. |
It is one of the earliest superhero films to feature an African-American in a starring role. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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Jefferson Reed ([[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]]) is a mild-mannered school [[teacher]] in Washington, D.C. His neighborhood is terrorized by a local gang called ''The Golden Lords'', led by Simon Caine ([[Roy Fegan]]) and allied with drug lord Anthony Byers ([[Frank Gorshin]]) |
Jefferson Reed ([[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]]) is a mild-mannered school [[teacher]] in Washington, D.C. His neighborhood is terrorized by a local gang called ''The Golden Lords'', led by Simon Caine ([[Roy Fegan]]) and allied with drug lord Anthony Byers ([[Frank Gorshin]]). |
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One night, Jeff steps in to rescue a woman from the gang only to end up running from them himself. Hiding in a garbage dumpster, he manages to escape. As he climbs out, he is struck down by a glowing green [[meteorite]]. His spine is crushed and he receives severe burns. A small fragment of the meteor was left over and taken by a [[Vagrancy (people)|vagrant]] named Marvin ([[Bill Cosby]]). Reed awakens several days later in the hospital. When his bandages are taken off, he is miraculously healed of all injuries. |
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⚫ | Jeff soon discovered that the meteorite had left him with spectacular superpowers such as flight, x-ray |
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⚫ | Jeff soon discovered that the meteorite had left him with spectacular superpowers such as flight, x-ray vision, laser vision, superhuman strength, speed, and hearing, invulnerability, healing powers, the ability to absorb a book's content by touch, super breath, telepathy with [[dog]]s (which he uses to communicate with his own dog Ellington), and [[Psychokinesis|telekinesis]]. Confiding this to his parents Ted ([[Robert Guillaume]]) and Maxine ([[Marla Gibbs]]), they convince him to use his powers to help the community. His mother designs a costume and as the Meteor Man, he takes on the Golden Lords. He shuts down 15 crack houses, stops 11 robberies, brings peace between the police, the [[Crips]] ([[Cypress Hill]]), and the [[Bloods]] ([[Naughty by Nature]]) where they begin to work together to rebuild the community they destroyed, and plants a giant garden in the middle of the ghetto. |
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⚫ | The Golden Lords learn Meteor Man's secret identity and his slowly diminishing powers. As the violence gets out of hand and the Golden Lords continue their attacks, the community members plan to make a deal with them |
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⚫ | The Golden Lords learn Meteor Man's secret identity and his slowly diminishing powers. As the violence gets out of hand and the Golden Lords continue their attacks, the community members plan to make a deal with them. Jeff instead teaches them about fighting for their beliefs. A now-powerless Jeff fights Simon and is beaten up. Simon points his gun at Jeff, but Jeff's neighbor Earnest Moses ([[James Earl Jones]]) throws a record at him, successfully knocking the gun out of Simon's hand. Suddenly, Marvin uses the meteor fragment to strip the Golden Lords of their guns. This enables the locals to stand up to the Golden Lords as they fight them alongside Marvin's dogs. Marvin accidentally drops the meteor and both Jeff and Simon grab the rock from both sides, gaining [[Superpower (ability)|superpowers]], and engage in a brawl. |
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⚫ | When Simon is about to throw a dumpster at Jeff, he hears Ellington barking, telling Jeff that he can win |
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⚫ | When Simon is about to throw a dumpster at Jeff, he hears Ellington barking, telling Jeff that he can win. Simon throws the dumpster at Ellington instead, seriously injuring him. This angers Jeff and he disappears and returns as Meteor Man. They continue with their brawl with Meteor Man winning and draining Simon of his powers by absorbing them. He then defeats the rest of the Golden Lords. The locals all gather around Ellington who is now lying on the street, whimpering in pain. Jeff uses his x-ray vision to see that Ellington's ribs are broken. Before Jeff can do anything, his powers fade away again. Just then, Marvin comes over and uses the last of his powers from the meteor fragment to heal Ellington's injuries, thus saving Ellington's life. The locals all applaud. |
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Anthony Byers and his gang then confront Meteor Man, but are out-numbered by the Bloods and the Crips who show up to protect Meteor Man. Anthony Byers and his gang are then arrested by the police after attempting to "take a vacation to the [[Bahamas]]". |
Anthony Byers and his gang then confront Meteor Man, but are out-numbered by the Bloods and the Crips who show up to protect Meteor Man. Anthony Byers and his gang are then arrested by the police after attempting to "take a vacation to the [[Bahamas]]". |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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{{castlist| |
{{castlist| |
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* [[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]] as Jefferson Reed/Meteor Man |
* [[Robert Townsend (actor)|Robert Townsend]] as Jefferson Reed / Meteor Man, a teacher who gains powers from a meteor fragment |
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* [[Marla Gibbs]] as Maxine Reed, Jefferson's mother |
* [[Marla Gibbs]] as Maxine Reed, Jefferson's mother |
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* [[Eddie Griffin]] as Michael Anderson, Jefferson's friend |
* [[Eddie Griffin]] as Michael Anderson, Jefferson's friend |
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* [[Big Daddy Kane]] as Pirate, member of the Golden Lords |
* [[Big Daddy Kane]] as Pirate, member of the Golden Lords |
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* [[Don Cheadle]] as Goldilocks, member of the Golden Lords |
* [[Don Cheadle]] as Goldilocks, member of the Golden Lords |
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* [[Nancy Wilson (singer)|Nancy Wilson]] as Principal Laws, |
* [[Nancy Wilson (singer)|Nancy Wilson]] as Principal Laws, the [[head teacher]] of an unnamed school who is Jefferson's boss |
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* [[Tommy 'Tiny' Lister]] as Digit, the Golden Lords' strongman |
* [[Tommy Lister Jr.|Tommy 'Tiny' Lister]] as Digit, the Golden Lords' strongman |
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* [[Jenifer Lewis]] as Mrs. Williams, Lewis's mother |
* [[Jenifer Lewis]] as Mrs. Williams, Lewis's mother |
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* [[Biz Markie]] as himself |
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* [[Beverly Johnson]] as a doctor |
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* [[LaWanda Page]] as an old nurse |
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* [[Wallace Shawn]] as Mr. Little |
* [[Wallace Shawn]] as Mr. Little |
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* [[John Witherspoon (actor)|John Witherspoon]] as Clarence James Carter III |
* [[John Witherspoon (actor)|John Witherspoon]] as Clarence James Carter III |
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* [[Charlayne Woodard]] as Janice Farrell |
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* Sam Jackson as Dre |
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* [[Barbara Montgomery]] as Dre's mother |
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* [[Faizon Love]] as a Husband |
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* [[Stu Gilliam]] as a head physician |
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* [[Jeff Coopwood]] as the voice of the radio DJ |
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* [[Chris Tucker]] as MC in mall (uncredited) |
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}} |
}} |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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Although Washington was the setting, the movie was actually shot in the [[Reservoir Hill]] neighborhood in |
Although Washington was the setting, the movie was actually shot in the [[Reservoir Hill]] neighborhood in [[Baltimore, Maryland]].{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
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==Soundtrack== |
==Soundtrack== |
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# "[[It's for You (Shanice song)|It's for You]]" – [[Shanice]] |
# "[[It's for You (Shanice song)|It's for You]]" – [[Shanice]] |
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# "Don't Waste My Time" – [[Lisa Taylor (R&B singer)|Lisa Taylor]] |
# "[[Don’t Waste My Time (Lisa Taylor song)|Don't Waste My Time]]" – [[Lisa Taylor (R&B singer)|Lisa Taylor]] |
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# "You Turn Me On" – [[Hi-Five]] |
# "You Turn Me On" – [[Hi-Five]] |
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# "Who Can" – [[Ahmad (rapper)|Ahmad]] |
# "Who Can" – [[Ahmad (rapper)|Ahmad]] |
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==Comic== |
==Comic== |
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{{Main|Meteor Man (comics)}} |
{{Main|Meteor Man (comics)}} |
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[[Marvel Comics]] produced a |
[[Marvel Comics]] produced an adaptation (''Meteor Man: The Movie'') and a [[sequel]] in the form of the six-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] titled ''[[Meteor Man (comics)|Meteor Man]]'' written by Bert Hubbard and Dwight Coye, and illustrated by Robert Walker and Jon Holdredge. In the comic, set in the mainstream [[Marvel Universe]], Meteor Man met [[Spider-Man]] and [[Night Thrasher (Dwayne Taylor)|Night Thrasher]]. Many years later, the Golden Lords reappeared on the pages of ''[[Miles Morales: Spider-Man]]'' #5. |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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[[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film a score of 29% based on 17 critic reviews.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Meteor Man (1993) | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meteor_man/ | work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher = [[Flixster]] }}</ref> |
[[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film a score of 29% based on 17 critic reviews.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Meteor Man (1993) | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meteor_man/ | work = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher = [[Flixster]] }}</ref> |
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Peter Rainer of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' compares the film to "a fairly clunky sitcom" with its sense of righteous do-goodism, and although the film intends to inspire, it instead sends the message that it would take a superhero to clean up inner-city gang violence.<ref>{{cite news|title= Meteor Man Quickly Flames Out|work= The Los Angeles Times|date=1993-08-06|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-06/entertainment/ca-20807_1_meteor-man-movie |access-date=2010-10-10|first=Peter|last=Rainer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Review/Film; A Rechargeable Man of Steel Aids the Inner City|work= The New York Times|date=1993-08-07|url= https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE0DE1138F934A3575BC0A965958260 |access-date=2010-10-10|first=Stephen|last=Holden}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= The Meteor Man| |
Peter Rainer of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' compares the film to "a fairly clunky sitcom" with its sense of righteous do-goodism, and although the film intends to inspire, it instead sends the message that it would take a superhero to clean up inner-city gang violence.<ref>{{cite news|title= Meteor Man Quickly Flames Out|work= The Los Angeles Times|date=1993-08-06|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-06/entertainment/ca-20807_1_meteor-man-movie |access-date=2010-10-10|first=Peter|last=Rainer}}</ref> [[Stephen Holden]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' opined that "the movie collapses on its own confusing and contradictory impulses. On the one hand, it would like to create a valid superhero for Black children. On the other, it is much more concerned with sending up the superhero genre. And the heroics and spoofing thoroughly undercut each other."<ref>{{cite news|title= Review/Film; A Rechargeable Man of Steel Aids the Inner City|work= The New York Times|date=1993-08-07|url= https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE0DE1138F934A3575BC0A965958260 |access-date=2010-10-10|first=Stephen|last=Holden}}</ref> [[Desson Thomson|Desson Howe]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote that "diehard Townsend fans will probably have a good time with it. But they should probably stop reading from here: This review has nothing positive to add. For those who considered Townsend's ''Five Heartbeats'' at least four too many, this movie is only slightly less excruciating. Slower than a stationary bullet, about as powerful as a . . . a loganberry, capable of running into buildings in a single bound, it's a bust, it's a shame, it's super dull."<ref>{{cite news|title= The Meteor Man|newspaper= Washington Post|date=1993-08-06|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/themeteormanpghowe_a0afe9.htm |access-date=2010-10-10}}</ref> Ty Burr gave it a C-grade in ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' and said it was "very much like its writer-director-star: self-effacingly funny, kind of confused, but really, really nice."<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The Meteor Man|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|date=1993-08-20|url= https://ew.com/article/1993/08/20/meteor-man/|access-date=2010-10-10|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513140031/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,307736,00.html|archive-date=2008-05-13}}</ref> |
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Roger Ebert gave the film 2.5 (out of 4) stars, writing "The movie contains big laughs and moments of genuine feeling, but it seems to be put together out of assorted inspirations that were never assembled into one coherent story line....Kids may like the film and anyone can enjoy the moments of inspiration, but 'The Meteor Man' could have been better if it had tried to do less, more carefully."<ref>{{cite news | title= The Meteor Man | work= Chicago Sun Times | date= |
Roger Ebert gave the film 2.5 (out of 4) stars, writing "The movie contains big laughs and moments of genuine feeling, but it seems to be put together out of assorted inspirations that were never assembled into one coherent story line....Kids may like the film and anyone can enjoy the moments of inspiration, but 'The Meteor Man' could have been better if it had tried to do less, more carefully."<ref>{{cite news | title= The Meteor Man | work= Chicago Sun Times | date=August 6, 1993 | author=Roger Ebert | url= http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/1993/08/871591.html | access-date=2024-01-08 | url-status= dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990829065633/http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/1993/08/871591.html | archive-date=1999-08-29 }}</ref> |
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The film gained some cult followings.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/creator-robert-townsend-looks-back-on-the-meteor-man-the-first-black-superhero-flick-25 |title=CREATOR ROBERT TOWNSEND LOOKS BACK ON THE METEOR MAN, THE FIRST BLACK SUPERHERO FLICK, 25 YEARS LATER|website=Syfy|access-date= December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
The film gained some cult followings.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/creator-robert-townsend-looks-back-on-the-meteor-man-the-first-black-superhero-flick-25 |title=CREATOR ROBERT TOWNSEND LOOKS BACK ON THE METEOR MAN, THE FIRST BLACK SUPERHERO FLICK, 25 YEARS LATER|website=Syfy|access-date= December 29, 2020}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{ |
* {{IMDb title|0107563|The Meteor Man}} |
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* {{ |
* {{AllMovie title|32351|The Meteor Man}} |
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* [http://www.superheroeslives.com/originals/the_meteor_man_(1993).htm ''The Meteor Man''] at Superheroes Lives |
* [http://www.superheroeslives.com/originals/the_meteor_man_(1993).htm ''The Meteor Man''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229144949/http://www.superheroeslives.com/originals/the_meteor_man_(1993).htm |date=2012-02-29 }} at Superheroes Lives |
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{{Robert Townsend}} |
{{Robert Townsend}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Meteor Man, The}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meteor Man, The}} |
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[[Category:1993 films]] |
[[Category:1993 films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1993 action comedy films]] |
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[[Category:1990s science fiction comedy films]] |
[[Category:1990s science fiction comedy films]] |
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[[Category:1990s science fiction action films]] |
[[Category:1990s science fiction action films]] |
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[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]] |
[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]] |
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[[Category:Films shot in Baltimore]] |
[[Category:Films shot in Baltimore]] |
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[[Category:Films shot in Maryland]] |
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[[Category:American action comedy films]] |
[[Category:American action comedy films]] |
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[[Category:American science fiction comedy films]] |
[[Category:American science fiction comedy films]] |
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[[Category:African-American superhero films]] |
[[Category:African-American superhero films]] |
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[[Category:Films directed by Robert Townsend]] |
[[Category:Films directed by Robert Townsend]] |
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[[Category:Films adapted into comics]] |
[[Category:Films adapted into comics]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1990s English-language films]] |
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[[Category:Parodies of Superman]] |
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[[Category:1993 science fiction films]] |
Revision as of 16:19, 10 July 2024
The Meteor Man | |
---|---|
Directed by | Robert Townsend[1] |
Written by | Robert Townsend |
Produced by | Robert Townsend Loretha C. Jones |
Starring | |
Cinematography | John A. Alonzo |
Edited by | Adam Bernardi Richard Candib Robaire W. Estel Andrew London Pam Wise |
Music by | Cliff Eidelman |
Production companies | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Tinsel Townsend Studios |
Distributed by | MGM/UA Distribution Co. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $20 million[2] |
Box office | $8 million (domestic)[3] |
The Meteor Man is a 1993 American superhero comedy film written, directed, co-produced and starring Robert Townsend with supporting roles by Marla Gibbs, Eddie Griffin, Robert Guillaume, James Earl Jones, Bill Cosby, and Another Bad Creation. The film also features special appearances by Luther Vandross, Sinbad, Naughty by Nature, Cypress Hill, and Big Daddy Kane. Townsend stars as a mild-mannered schoolteacher who becomes a superhero after his neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is terrorized by street gangs.[4][5]
It is one of the earliest superhero films to feature an African-American in a starring role.
Plot
Jefferson Reed (Robert Townsend) is a mild-mannered school teacher in Washington, D.C. His neighborhood is terrorized by a local gang called The Golden Lords, led by Simon Caine (Roy Fegan) and allied with drug lord Anthony Byers (Frank Gorshin).
One night, Jeff steps in to rescue a woman from the gang only to end up running from them himself. Hiding in a garbage dumpster, he manages to escape. As he climbs out, he is struck down by a glowing green meteorite. His spine is crushed and he receives severe burns. A small fragment of the meteor was left over and taken by a vagrant named Marvin (Bill Cosby). Reed awakens several days later in the hospital. When his bandages are taken off, he is miraculously healed of all injuries.
Jeff soon discovered that the meteorite had left him with spectacular superpowers such as flight, x-ray vision, laser vision, superhuman strength, speed, and hearing, invulnerability, healing powers, the ability to absorb a book's content by touch, super breath, telepathy with dogs (which he uses to communicate with his own dog Ellington), and telekinesis. Confiding this to his parents Ted (Robert Guillaume) and Maxine (Marla Gibbs), they convince him to use his powers to help the community. His mother designs a costume and as the Meteor Man, he takes on the Golden Lords. He shuts down 15 crack houses, stops 11 robberies, brings peace between the police, the Crips (Cypress Hill), and the Bloods (Naughty by Nature) where they begin to work together to rebuild the community they destroyed, and plants a giant garden in the middle of the ghetto.
The Golden Lords learn Meteor Man's secret identity and his slowly diminishing powers. As the violence gets out of hand and the Golden Lords continue their attacks, the community members plan to make a deal with them. Jeff instead teaches them about fighting for their beliefs. A now-powerless Jeff fights Simon and is beaten up. Simon points his gun at Jeff, but Jeff's neighbor Earnest Moses (James Earl Jones) throws a record at him, successfully knocking the gun out of Simon's hand. Suddenly, Marvin uses the meteor fragment to strip the Golden Lords of their guns. This enables the locals to stand up to the Golden Lords as they fight them alongside Marvin's dogs. Marvin accidentally drops the meteor and both Jeff and Simon grab the rock from both sides, gaining superpowers, and engage in a brawl.
When Simon is about to throw a dumpster at Jeff, he hears Ellington barking, telling Jeff that he can win. Simon throws the dumpster at Ellington instead, seriously injuring him. This angers Jeff and he disappears and returns as Meteor Man. They continue with their brawl with Meteor Man winning and draining Simon of his powers by absorbing them. He then defeats the rest of the Golden Lords. The locals all gather around Ellington who is now lying on the street, whimpering in pain. Jeff uses his x-ray vision to see that Ellington's ribs are broken. Before Jeff can do anything, his powers fade away again. Just then, Marvin comes over and uses the last of his powers from the meteor fragment to heal Ellington's injuries, thus saving Ellington's life. The locals all applaud.
Anthony Byers and his gang then confront Meteor Man, but are out-numbered by the Bloods and the Crips who show up to protect Meteor Man. Anthony Byers and his gang are then arrested by the police after attempting to "take a vacation to the Bahamas".
Cast
- Robert Townsend as Jefferson Reed / Meteor Man, a teacher who gains powers from a meteor fragment
- Marla Gibbs as Maxine Reed, Jefferson's mother
- Eddie Griffin as Michael Anderson, Jefferson's friend
- Robert Guillaume as Ted Reed, Jefferson's father
- James Earl Jones as Earnest Moses, Jefferson's neighbor
- Bill Cosby as Marvin, a mute vagrant
- Another Bad Creation as Jr. Lords, the children members of the Golden Lords
- Stephanie E. Williams as Stacy, a teacher and Jefferson's love interest
- Roy Fegan as Simon Caine, the leader of the Golden Lords
- Frank Gorshin as Anthony Byers, a drug lord
- Luther Vandross as Jamison
- Sinbad as Malik, Stacy's boyfriend
- Naughty by Nature as The Bloods, a street gang
- Cypress Hill as The Crips, a street gang
- Big Daddy Kane as Pirate, member of the Golden Lords
- Don Cheadle as Goldilocks, member of the Golden Lords
- Nancy Wilson as Principal Laws, the head teacher of an unnamed school who is Jefferson's boss
- Tommy 'Tiny' Lister as Digit, the Golden Lords' strongman
- Jenifer Lewis as Mrs. Williams, Lewis's mother
- Biz Markie as himself
- Beverly Johnson as a doctor
- LaWanda Page as an old nurse
- Wallace Shawn as Mr. Little
- John Witherspoon as Clarence James Carter III
- Charlayne Woodard as Janice Farrell
- Sam Jackson as Dre
- Barbara Montgomery as Dre's mother
- Faizon Love as a Husband
- Stu Gilliam as a head physician
- Jeff Coopwood as the voice of the radio DJ
- Chris Tucker as MC in mall (uncredited)
Production
Although Washington was the setting, the movie was actually shot in the Reservoir Hill neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland.[citation needed]
Soundtrack
- "It's for You" – Shanice
- "Don't Waste My Time" – Lisa Taylor
- "You Turn Me On" – Hi-Five
- "Who Can" – Ahmad
- "Your Future Is Our Future" – Daryl Coley & Frank McComb
- "I Say a Prayer" – Howard Hewett
- "Is It Just Too Much" – Keith Washington
- "Somebody Cares for You" – Frank McComb
- "Good Love" – Elaine Stepter
- "Ain't Nobody Bad (Like Meteor Man)" – Big Hat Ray Ray
- "Can't Let Her Get Away" - Michael Jackson
Comic
Marvel Comics produced an adaptation (Meteor Man: The Movie) and a sequel in the form of the six-issue limited series titled Meteor Man written by Bert Hubbard and Dwight Coye, and illustrated by Robert Walker and Jon Holdredge. In the comic, set in the mainstream Marvel Universe, Meteor Man met Spider-Man and Night Thrasher. Many years later, the Golden Lords reappeared on the pages of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #5.
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 29% based on 17 critic reviews.[6]
Peter Rainer of the Los Angeles Times compares the film to "a fairly clunky sitcom" with its sense of righteous do-goodism, and although the film intends to inspire, it instead sends the message that it would take a superhero to clean up inner-city gang violence.[7] Stephen Holden of The New York Times opined that "the movie collapses on its own confusing and contradictory impulses. On the one hand, it would like to create a valid superhero for Black children. On the other, it is much more concerned with sending up the superhero genre. And the heroics and spoofing thoroughly undercut each other."[8] Desson Howe of The Washington Post wrote that "diehard Townsend fans will probably have a good time with it. But they should probably stop reading from here: This review has nothing positive to add. For those who considered Townsend's Five Heartbeats at least four too many, this movie is only slightly less excruciating. Slower than a stationary bullet, about as powerful as a . . . a loganberry, capable of running into buildings in a single bound, it's a bust, it's a shame, it's super dull."[9] Ty Burr gave it a C-grade in Entertainment Weekly and said it was "very much like its writer-director-star: self-effacingly funny, kind of confused, but really, really nice."[10] Roger Ebert gave the film 2.5 (out of 4) stars, writing "The movie contains big laughs and moments of genuine feeling, but it seems to be put together out of assorted inspirations that were never assembled into one coherent story line....Kids may like the film and anyone can enjoy the moments of inspiration, but 'The Meteor Man' could have been better if it had tried to do less, more carefully."[11]
The film gained some cult followings.[12]
Awards
The film received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Science Fiction Film, but lost to Jurassic Park.
References
- ^ Braxton, Greg (August 3, 1993). "As Robert Townsend Sees It : He's Fighting Stereotypes With 'Meteor Man' and New TV Show". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ^ "As Robert Townsend Sees It : He's Fighting Stereotypes With 'Meteor Man' and New TV Show". Los Angeles Times. August 3, 1993. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "The Meteor Man (1993)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "The Meteor Man(1993)". Yahoo movies. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
- ^ "A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : SUPER MEN : 'Blankman,' Meet 'Meteor Man'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
- ^ "The Meteor Man (1993)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster.
- ^ Rainer, Peter (August 6, 1993). "Meteor Man Quickly Flames Out". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (August 7, 1993). "Review/Film; A Rechargeable Man of Steel Aids the Inner City". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ^ "The Meteor Man". Washington Post. August 6, 1993. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ^ "The Meteor Man". Entertainment Weekly. August 20, 1993. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ^ Roger Ebert (August 6, 1993). "The Meteor Man". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on August 29, 1999. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "CREATOR ROBERT TOWNSEND LOOKS BACK ON THE METEOR MAN, THE FIRST BLACK SUPERHERO FLICK, 25 YEARS LATER". Syfy. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
External links
- The Meteor Man at IMDb
- The Meteor Man at AllMovie
- The Meteor Man Archived 2012-02-29 at the Wayback Machine at Superheroes Lives
- 1993 films
- 1993 action comedy films
- 1990s science fiction comedy films
- 1990s science fiction action films
- American science fiction action films
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
- Films set in Washington, D.C.
- Films shot in Baltimore
- American action comedy films
- American science fiction comedy films
- African-American superhero films
- 1990s superhero comedy films
- Film superheroes
- Films scored by Cliff Eidelman
- Films directed by Robert Townsend
- Films adapted into comics
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s American films
- Parodies of Superman
- African-American films
- 1993 science fiction films