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Howard the Duck

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Universal Pictures

United States of America

English

Lea Thompson

Jeffrey Jones

Tim Robbins

Ed Gale

Chip Zien

Tim Rose

Steve Sleap

Peter Baird

Mary Wells

Lisa Sturz

Jordan Prentice

Paul Guilfoyle

Liz Sagal

Dominique Davalos

Holly Robinson Peete

Tommy Swerdlow

Richard Edson

Miles Chapin

Richard McGonagle

Virginia Capers

Debbie Lee Carrington

Jorli McLain

Miguel Sandoval

Sheldon Feldner

Lee Anthony

Paul Comi

Maureen Coyne

James Lashly

Tom Parker

Ed Holmes

David Paymer

William Hall

Denny Delk

Martin Ganapoler

Tom Rayhall

Gary Littlejohn

Thomas Dolby

Kristopher Logan

Reed Kirk Rahlmann

John Fleck

William McCoy

Steven Kravitz

Anne Tofflemire

Marcia Banks

Nancy Fish

Monty Hoffman

Ted Kurtz

Wood Moy

Wanda McCaddon

James Brady

Carol McElheney

Jeanne Lauren

Richard Kiley

Mel Blanc

John Barry

Willard Huyck

Gloria Katz

Sidney Wolinsky

George Lucas

Richard H. Kline

Michael Chandler

Gracie Atherton

Steve Gerber

Peter Jamison

John Watson

Phil Tippett

Gary Heider

Ian Bryce

Dianne Crittenden

Margarita Farrell

John Liberti

Paul M. Lane

Joe I. Tompkins

Rodney Allen Hooks

Robert Latham Brown

Nancy Nayor

Bill Yarbrough

Bob Herron

Don Ruffin

Michael J. McAlister

Ben Burtt

Randy Thom

Gary Summers

Stacey S. McIntosh

Christopher Brooks

Gloria S. Borders

Dwight Williams

Rory Enke

Robert Bonino

L. Dean Jones Jr.

Dan Kolsrud

Richard Hashimoto

Patrick Cosgrove

Mark Billerman

Louise Jaffe

Harley Jessup

Bobby Byrne

Pamela Marcotte

Everett Creach

Blake Russell

Jim Pohl

Phillip Norwood

Thomas J. Wright

John Warnke

Robert Krume

Jim Poynter

Phil Abramson

Chuck Roseberry

Jim Passon

_**The infamous film version of Steve Gerber’s intelligent, wise-cracking waterfowl from another world**_

An English-speaking duck from another planet is somehow transported to Cleveland, Ohio, where he befriends a rock group leader (Lea Thompson). She introduces him to her friend, a quirky lab assistant (Tim Robbins), to figure out what happened, but the situation is complicated when a doctor at the lab is possessed by a “dark overlord of the universe” (Jeffrey Jones).

"Howard the Duck" (1986) is the film version of Marvel Comics’ anthropomorphic waterfowl created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik with the Duck’s first appearance being in Adventures into Fear #19 featuring the Man-Thing, which debuted in March, 1974 (cover date Dec. 1973). While the cartoonish character was atypical for Marvel, he was a surprise hit, which led to this movie a dozen years later.

It’s made in the mold of “Ghostbusters” (1984) and obviously influenced “Men in Black” (1997), but it’s the least of these and notoriously bombed at the box office. It begins well enough, both intriguing and amusing, but starts to lose its mojo in the second act before spiraling into a loud, frantic last act with loads of colorful special effects. 

The problem is that, after the first act, the flick abandons the characters for action-oriented zaniness and it loses the attention of the viewer. Creator Steve Gerber plainly said the movie “sucked” and was dissatisfied with the duck’s bland voice and costume. Howard’s face just isn’t animated enough and his eyes are too cute & innocent for Gerber’s ill-tempered, wise-cracking waterfowl. That said, there are enough entertaining elements in the “Ghostbusters” / “Men in black” vein to enjoy the movie to some degree as you revisit 1985 America when it was shot. But you have to be able to accept it as a cinematic alternative to Gerber’s original concept.

I’m not big on Lea Thompson, but she’s winsome enough as Beverly on the female front, although she didn’t exactly fit Gerber’s version of the Duck’s babelicious pal. Liz Sagal is also notable as Ronette in a minor role.   

The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, and was obviously shot in the Bay area of Northern California, NOT Cleveland, Ohio. 

GRADE: C

It is so cool to hate on this isn't it? So I am giving it a 10, mainly because of all the folks that gave it a 1 to be in the in crowd...and partially because Lucas was right, it stood the test of time.

The cult following isn't because it's a bad movie, it's because it's a funny movie. Just because a midget is wearing a duck suit doesn't make it bad. Just because there is duck nudity doesn't make it bad.

I mean...we loved it with Team America. It was hysterical then. It's not funny in Howard because you are told not to laugh at it.

If you give it a chance it's well worth the admission, for jokes alone.

Howard the Duck News Featurette

The Dark Overlord's Final Form (Howard The Duck Final Scene) | Science Fiction Station

Howard The Duck Fights The Dark Overlord | Howard The Duck (1986) | Science Fiction Station

The Dark Overlord Shows Off His Superpowers | Howard The Duck (1986) | Science Fiction Station

Doctor Jenning Is Possessed By The Dark Overlord | Howard The Duck (1986) | Science Fiction Station

Howard The Duck Arrives On Earth (Opening Scene) | Howard The Duck (1986) | Science Fiction Station

Behind The Scenes on HOWARD THE DUCK (1986)

Howard the Duck | Quack Fu & Telekinesis at Joe Roma's Cajun Sushi Diner in 4K HDR

Howard The Duck (35th Anniversary) | 4K Ultra HD | No More Mr. Nice Duck

Howard the Duck Official Trailer #1 - Tim Robbins, Lea Thompson Movie (1986) HD

Howard the Duck Official Trailer #2 - Tim Robbins Movie (1986) HD

Howard the Duck 1986 TV trailer

Best Movies

Howard the Duck

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast

Lea Thompson

Jeffrey Jones

Tim Robbins

Ed Gale

Chip Zien

Tim Rose

Steve Sleap

Peter Baird

Mary Wells

Lisa Sturz

Box office

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