Harry and the Hendersons Reviews

Despite some mistakes in emphasis and the fact that the movie peaks far too early, there are some nice moments in HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS, and it won't offend undiscerning audiences. George (John Lithgow) and Nancy Henderson (Melinda Dillon) are returning home in the family station wagon with son Ernie (Joshua Rudoy) and daughter Sarah (Margaret Langrick) when George hits a huge "thing" crossing the road. The creature appears to be dead, so they strap it on top of the car and take it home. However, the creature, which is only stunned, is the legendary "Big Foot." The family decides to keep him, and dub him "Harry" (Kevin Peter Hall). But they find they have a lot to worry about from hunter Jacques Lafleur (David Suchet). This is a flat-out formula movie, but the ingredients in the mixture are not quite right. It's unbearably predictable, down to the fact that the creature's makeup, designed by Rick Baker, seems to have a resemblance to Lithgow's face, thus making a not-too-subtle point about hunting down oneself. Baker's work did win the film an Oscar for Best Makeup. Although Hall acquits himself well, the character of Harry is too darn sweet, too smart, and too human to inspire any dread or even respect. Lithgow, thrice Oscar-nominated, is not given enough to chew on here.