khsooners Naturally, this is not "La dolce vita" or "Citizen Kane" in terms of its contribution to cinema history, but this is one of the most enjoyable adventure movies. It is sometimes crazy but not to an extent that it kills its adventure feeling. Many details are worth mentioning (the references to the popular Tintin comic books, the breathtaking setting of the newly constructed Brazilian capital Brasilia and its milestone architecture etc.) and it all creates this little masterpiece of action, fun, exotic excitement and the lifestyle of the sixties when people still believed in progress and the fact that young people can make the world a better place. So, yes, this movie is sometimes typical for these days but it still fun to watch once a year.

Wizard-8 This French-Italian co-production was a big hit around the world during its initial release, and influenced a number of movies over the next few years. Seen today, some viewers might wonder why there was so much fuss about it. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad movie. Jean-Paul Belmondo makes a fairly engaging hero with what he's given, performing comedy and action with a lot of enthusiasm (including performing his own stunts.) Belmondo's spark helps to make a lot of the comedy amusing and the action exciting. The Brazilian backdrop is colorful as well. I just wish there had been more work on the script when it came to the characters and the story. Belmondo's character is engaging, but kind of thin - we know hardly a thing about him before he is thrust into saving his girlfriend. The relationship he has with his girlfriend is quite unconvincing - she is kind of aloof and selfish, and it's hard to see what each sees in the other. Storywise, there are a number of slow spots here and there where little to nothing is happening. And the climax, though not awful, seems to be lacking significant punch; I was expecting something bigger and wilder. Those who have an interest in 1960s European genre cinema will probably enjoy this best. Since I'm one of those people, I did find the movie worth my time. Other people, however, I would give a word of caution. This is a movie that really is a matter of taste.

writers_reign A lot of fine artists squandered their talents on this crock, not least Jean-Paul Rappeneau, who has written and/or directed - sometimes both in the same project - some excellent movies like Bon Voyage, Cyrano de Bergerac etc. Again maybe it's another case of you had to be there - I've just seen this for the first time exactly fifty years after its initial release - but frankly I was astounded at how banal it was. It is, I have to say, one of those films I've heard good things about for years and is some cases from people whose opinion I respect but against that in each case they watched the initial release. You'll go a long way to find a greater admirer of French cinema than I am which is why I take no pleasure in rating it a mere five. I have in my DVD collection of French films Viper au poing, the last film that Philippe de Broca made and I love it and watch it often. Alas, I can find nothing positive to say about this effort.

regie-4 This is one of the most remarkable movies i remember watching as a teenager. The exotic location of Rio and the humorous sporty character Jean Paul Belmondo played fit perfectly together. Although the story lacks a little bit of logic sometimes, every youngster in that period would have done exactly the same for his girlfriend as Belmondo did/played. He wasn't the Schwarzenegger or Stallone type but a figure which could be identified with. The character could be every man in love and thats what makes this movie so special to me.They weren't much movies i saw as a kid which i remember of 30 years later. The Man from Rio is one of them, others are Blow Up (my favorite movie of all time) and "Its a beautiful life", "Way of the dragon","Modern Times", Laurel&Hardy: Blockheads", "Metropolis", "M", "The testament of Dr Mabuse", "Safety Last".I give it a 10 because my memory tells me to do so.