10 ’80s Comedy Movies That Haven’t Aged Well

As someone who has spent countless hours immersing myself in the rich tapestry of cinema, I must say that it’s fascinating to see how certain movies, with their star-studded casts and promising plots, can ultimately fall short.

Even stone-cold classics like Beverly Hills Cop have their scenes with which modern viewers can rightly take issue. The world changes, people change, and so do their tastes. And, just as aspects of 1970s comediesThe Jerk, Blazing Saddles, and, especially, National Lampoon’s Animal House have aged poorly, so too have some cinematic comedies from the ’80s.

It’s no wonder that the massive success of “Animal House” seemed to not only create opportunities but also inspire other films in its genre to surpass it. For instance, after “Halloween”, “Friday the 13th” aimed to surpass it with more gruesome scenes and intricate kill sequences. Similarly, many ’80s comedies attempted to be funny, but over time, their jokes have felt less like humor and more like cringeworthy moments or even offensive instances.

These films on the list are enjoyable, but it’s important to remember they reflect their era. So, viewing them with an understanding of their historical context can enrich your experience.

10 Porky’s (1981)

Bob Clark’s clever pairing of the timeless holiday classics, Black Christmas and A Christmas Story , has held up exceptionally well over time. On the other hand, another film by the same director, Porky’s, leans more towards the spirit of Baby Geniuses (another Clark production) rather than the charm of A Christmas Story.

It’s Definitely Pig-Like

Initially, this sex-themed comedy was incredibly successful, earning a staggering $160 million worldwide on a budget of only $4 to $5 million. It paved the way for sequels and set trends in its time. However, revisiting it today can be challenging at best. Leaving aside its objectification of women and sexual content alone, it’s a type of ’80s comedy where one might question where the humor lies from a contemporary perspective.

9 Trading Places (1983)

John Landis’ movie “Trading Places,” starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, feels somewhat outdated to watch nowadays. While it skillfully tackled classism in a thought-provoking manner, predating similar themes in cinema, it unfortunately reflects the use of blackface, which was regrettably common during its production era.

A Mixed Bag

To put it in my own words as a fan, there’s far more that I adore about “Trading Places” than aspects that fall short. Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche brilliantly play the duplicitous Randolph and Mortimer Duke, making the film an irresistible target for those disgruntled with wealth rather than the average viewer. This, I can certainly endure.

8 Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Similar to Porky’s, Revenge of the Nerds is now nearly impossible to watch due to its outdated content. However, unlike Police Academy (another comedy series that spawned sequels), it’s not just unwatchable because it’s dated; it’s unwatchable in a “how on earth was any of this ever considered acceptable” kind of way. Of course, Police Academy has its share of questionable content as well, but it pales in comparison to the problematic scenes found in Revenge of the Nerds, particularly one standout scene.

A Strong Contender for the Most Problematic Scene in Film History

Reflecting on my perspective, I must admit that “Revenge of the Nerds” portrays a sexual assault situation as a comedic element and even presents it as a triumphant moment for the main character. In today’s context, this scenario would not be considered acceptable or suitable for a movie, especially one aimed at wider audiences. The 2020s prioritize respect, consent, and understanding in all relationships, which is something that this film seems to overlook.

7 Blame It on Rio (1984)

As a film enthusiast, I’d put it this way: In “Blame It on Rio,” I find myself immersed in the story of Michael Caine and Joseph Bologna, portraying friends Matthew and Victor, both tied to the same corporate world. Their marriages, once vibrant, are now stale, leading them to embark on a getaway without their spouses. Alongside them travels their offspring: Demi Moore as my character’s daughter, Jennifer, and Michelle Johnson as Bologna’s.

An Icky Resolution

Indeed, it feels unsettling when a 50-year-old like Michael Caine gets romantically involved with someone as young as Michelle Johnson. Similarly, the movie’s attempt to gloss over the discomfort related to inappropriate relationships is problematic. To put it simply, the character of Victor in Bologna doesn’t seem too troubled by his friend’s affair with his daughter because, surprisingly, he has been involved with Matthew’s wife himself.

6 Sixteen Candles (1984)

John Hughes is known for creating movies that were loved and successful during their release, even turning into timeless classics. However, over time, many of these films have become somewhat outdated, similar to uncooked chicken left on a countertop. For example, the film “Weird Science” revolves around two teenagers controlling a woman’s actions because she is essentially a computer program. The movie manages to skirt by this issue due to the technology aspect, but there are numerous aspects of “Sixteen Candles” that are hard to defend.

Well-Regarded, But Problematic

One notable character is Long Duk Dong, the exchange student, whose name itself seems designed to elicit laughter. Similarly, every awkward scene involving him can be seen as an example of “the joke isn’t the actor, it’s the script.” Additionally, it’s important to mention that, much like in Revenge of the Nerds, there’s a scene where sexual assault is depicted and used for comedic effect.

5 Mr. Mom (1983)

Similar to the movie Overboard, Mr. Mom presents a questionable concept that almost manages to be acceptable due to its soft-spoken demeanor. Notably, Michael Keaton’s endearing portrayal is one of the film’s highlights. However, it remains a movie that explores the peculiarity of a man taking care of the household while the woman goes to work.

It’s Also Called Just Being a Dad

This type of content leans heavily on outdated gender stereotypes that were perhaps effective in 1983, but would be poorly received by contemporary audiences. The only reason someone might still watch it today without feeling an uncomfortable cringe is due to Keaton’s charm and the portrayal of his character Jack as struggling to match his wife’s daily accomplishments, which she has been doing for years.

4 Short Circuit (1986)

Fisher Stevens is a charming and skillful actor and director, yet even his talents might struggle with portraying the character Ben Jabituya. This character, along with Steve Guttenberg’s Newton Crosby, are two robotics experts who design robotic prototypes for military purposes. The casting of Guttenberg as Crosby is acceptable, except that the script depicts Crosby as an introverted individual, while Guttenberg is known to be quite extroverted in real life.

And the Character Led the Sequel

Since then, Stevens has reflected on his involvement in the movies “Short Circuit” (and its sequel). In an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, he admitted, “It still lingers with me. I believe it’s a fantastic film, but I wouldn’t reprise that role. The world was certainly different in 1986, as you know.” It’s also worth noting that the character was initially intended to be a white American, but this was altered during production. Instead of letting Stevens go, they chose to have him portray the modified role.

3 Soul Man (1986)

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I must confess that if there was any humor in 1986’s “Soul Man,” it certainly doesn’t resonate with me now. It’s astounding to see so many gifted actors associated with such a misfire. The premise of the film, essentially a white student using blackface to secure a scholarship, feels outdated and problematic in today’s context. Despite the star-studded cast that includes C. Thomas Howell from “The Amazing Spider-Man,” Rae Dawn Chong from “Tales from the Darkside: The Movie,” Leslie Nielsen from “The Naked Gun,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus from “Veep,” and Melora Hardin from “The Office,” they collectively fail to elevate the film beyond its questionable content.

What a Cast, What a Mess

Even the legendary James Earl Jones’ performance fails to soften the harsh impact of this movie’s failed attempt at delivering a meaningful message. To put it simply, Howell’s character Mark Watson struggles to comprehend the Black American experience as he himself is white. However, one might wonder why we should empathize with such a character. A bizarre decision led him to consider taking tanning pills to secure a scholarship, yet audiences still flocked to see this film, as it earned $35 million against its production cost of $4.5 million.

2 Overboard (1987)

Unlike “Soul Man,” which struggles to effectively deliver its main message, “Overboard” manages to do so, albeit to some degree. Unlike “Soul Man,” “Overboard” is a pleasant film to watch. This is largely due to the allure of the real-life couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, but it’s important to note that the movie’s central idea does have its flaws.

Still Better Than the Remake

The story centers around Joanna Stayton, a rich and haughty character portrayed by Hawn, who accidentally falls from her shared yacht with her husband, hits her head, and loses consciousness. Russell’s character, Dean, is a carpenter who was previously treated rudely and underpaid by Stayton. Taking advantage of her amnesia, he pretends to be her husband, using the situation to obtain free labor for household projects and help with his four children.

It’s concerning that the narrative of “Overboard” essentially portrays her character as evolving into a housewife. However, it’s important to remember that being a housewife is not the only role a woman can or should assume, nor is it necessarily what every woman wants. The reason “Overboard” is successful, beyond its comedic tone and the strong chemistry between the leads, lies in the transformation of Stayton’s character. She starts off as a rather selfish individual, but by the end of the third act, she becomes significantly more humble and genuinely content. Regrettably, even if the gender roles were reversed, the plot of the 2018 remake would have struggled to be fully convincing due to inherent issues with the original narrative.

1 Big (1988)

One of the most captivating films from the 1980s and an exceptional display of Tom Hanks’ appeal and versatility, “Big” is certainly noteworthy. However, there’s a scene that might cause a bit of unease due to the storyline. In this movie, Hanks portrays the adult version of Josh Baskin, but it’s important to clarify that he isn’t literally older; instead, he’s transformed.

One Scene Has a Big Problem

In a toy company, a relationship blossoms between Baskin and Susan Lawrence, one of his colleagues. One evening, they act on their feelings, unbeknownst to the viewer that Baskin is only 12 years old. Even though Lawrence doesn’t realize it, this situation makes the scene feel disturbing rather than sweet or adolescent, as the audience understands the true nature of the relationship.

2024-09-26 06:02