"Dick: The Devil Dared Me To" Review - Written by Mathius Mack Gertz

Title: Dick: The Devil Dared Me To
Year 2007
Director: Chris Stapp
Stars: Chris Stapp, Matt Heath, Bonnie Soper
MPAA Rating: UNRATED
Studio: Elevenmedia, Video Nasties
Running time: 81 Minutes
Official Website: http://www.devildaredmeto.com/


“Young Randy has a dream to become the greatest living stuntman. It’s the story of an underdog who attempts to outdo his unscrupulous nemesis, Dick, who is the top dog in the stuntman profession. Idiocy and comedy prevail as these two vie to perform the ultimate daredevil stunt.” Randy tries to impress his beautiful one legged childhood sweetheart Tracy.

That is almost a verbatim quote from the back of the DVD box of what this film is about. It doesn’t deserve any more than that and is probably the funniest thing about this movie. On the other hand, I did watch this sober and I am a bit older than a college frat boy.

The best things about DICK are the stunts, special effects and makeup. If you are a junkie for those, this may just be the movie for you, especially if you are from New Zealand and have a widescreen TV. It is a tour-de-force example of what is possible with little or no budget. The humor is decidedly inside and those of us on the outside have a hard time getting it. If you have ever spent any time in New Zealand you may get it. Some of the bonus features are interesting and for hard rock fans the soundtrack is appealing. Again I suspect that with enough beer, this would look a lot better.

The acting is decidedly amateur and that helps to distract the viewer from the thin plot and faux documentary style of the film. Chris Stapp directs and stars in this mercifully short feature and he might have done better to do just one or the other.

However, the biggest disappointment of DICK has to do with how forcefully the fact that the film is UNRATED is pushed on the DVD box. I didn’t find the humor that dirty, the dialog that vulgar, and there is no nudity. I repeat…no nudity, not even close. Why is this important? Because the film’s packaging implies it.

I don’t see DICK becoming a cult hit unless a quick trip to the $5 video sale rack denotes a classic these days. Rent at your own peril.