Rating: R
Genre:
Comedy Drama
Release Date: 09/03/2002
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 93 min
Distributor/Studio: Lions Gate
In a sleepy small town there are two vibrant comic books stores that are rival universes unto themselves. Events spiral absurdly, violently out of control when the owners of the two shops -- nerdy hipster
Ray (
Donal Logue) and the nebbishy husband and wife team of
Norman and
Judy (
Michael Rapaport and
Natasha Lyonne) -- compete for a priceless collection of books left by the dead son of elderly
Mrs. Cresswell (
Eileen Brennan).
Ray's friend,
Archie (
D.J. Qualls), tries to stop
Ray from hiring a sleazy thief (
Cary Elwes), but to no avail. Things get very ugly indeed.
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
This very funny, very dark
comic thriller plays to the eccentric cast's strengths. There is never a dull moment as the fitfully
screwball story goes over-the-top in unpredictable ways, climaxing in a preposterous sequence of
tragi-comedy that is as shocking as it is hilarious. Reminiscent of
Very Bad Things and other films where good people are compelled to do nasty business,
Comic Book Villains has sleeper hit stamped all over it. It's not for all tastes, but those who enjoy outrageous farces with an evil edge will go ga-ga. Comics collectors will particularly enjoy the fanatical zaniness, but the potential audience goes across the board.
Donal Logue, so good in
The Tao of Steve, sets a whimsically high standard and is met by all, particularly the cunning
Cary Elwes and the always-dangerous
Natasha Lyonne, who may never find another script that nails her skill at sarcasm this well again.
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
