Search - The Big Bus on DVD

A Spoof that Should Have Worked

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 09/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like the "Airplane!" films that succeeded it, "The Big Bus" is hilarious parody of the oh-so-popular disaster flicks of the 1970's. It is really like a disaster film as seen through the eyes of Tex Avery, the master animator who threw everything into his 'toons, including the kitchen sink at the expense of some poor soul."Bus" features a superb cast of movie and television performers who mimic every big name actor featured in bigger budgeted extravaganzas like "The Poseidon Adventure," "The Towering Inferno," and "Earthquake." In the words of Spike Lee, one must "get on this bus" for a fun-filled ride."

Really, Really BIG!

Bindy Sue Frønkünschtein | under the rubble | 04/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hop on the BIG BUS! You're in for a rare treat. Joseph Balogna and Stockard Channing star in the best movie parody since "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein"! The big bus is a nuclear-powered monster of a thing, complete with bowling alley, swimming pool, and piano bar. It can change tires automatically, while still moving! It can wash itself! It can go 90mph around curves, with only minor internal chaos! The passenger list is a screwball dream-come-true! Ruth Gordon is the dirty old lady, quick on the draw with her perfectly rude remarks! Rene Auberjonois is the conflicted / doubting priest, who has a nasty streak as long as the bus! Lynn Redgrave is the celebrity on board, seducing any man she encounters. She's also got a secret score to settle! Sally Kellerman and Richard Mulligan are the battling couple, set to finalize their divorce, but unable to keep their hands off each other! Of course, let's not forget the washed-up veterinarian, the terminal guy with six months to live (which Lynn Redgrave helps him to overcome), and the narcoleptic co-driver who passes out at the wheel every few minutes! Did I mention Larry Hagman as the doctor who spends most of the movie in a parking lot, because his patient (Harold Gould) "can't be moved"? Or Ned Beatty and Howard Hesseman as technicians who must work together, but just don't get along? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there's a bomb on board! Drop whatever you're doing and buy this right now..."

Airplane Thiefs!!!

Jeffrey S. Kornegay | Bronx, NY USA | 09/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Airplane stole so many gags from this movie it isn't even funny. (No pun intended.)

What no reviewer has mentioned is that the movie is gorgeous to watch...beautifully designed and shot. Airplane, although perhaps the more consistently funny movie, seems to have tried to copy the production of The Big Bus, but it comes off as looking sadly cheap and bland. They did learn the lesson, though, that you never stop the jokes coming. The Big Bus loses one star for letting up here and there to attempt moments of drama that don't quite work. But Stockard Channing working feverishly in the kitchen, as the bus tilts to and fro on the road, gets seven stars."

A World Class comedy

Mike Wellins | Portland, Oregon United States | 07/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Way before AIRPLANE and AIRPLANE II and way before HOTSHOTS was THE BIG BUS. A hilarious spoof on disaster films with dozens of old television standards like Richard Mulligan, Ruth Gordon, Bob Dishy, Sally Kellermen, all lending their talents to this, one of the greatest stupid comedies around! This is cartoonist Gary Larson's Favorite comedy movie! And the prop bus they built for it is staggering as well. There isn't anything about this film that isn't funny, except that it ends."