Death to Smoochy - Dark and ridiculous fun

There are a fair number of negative reviews for `Death to Smoochy.' Now, if a film has a title like that, it tells me that it's a `cult film' made for a niche audience. So, I can only assume that mainstream moviegoers didn't think that much of it.

If you're a fan of Robin Williams' quirky, light-hearted performances, then you may be disappointed. His role here is one of his darker, more serious ones (think `One Hour Photo, only more openly psychotic). He plays a disgraced children's TV show presenter who vows - lethal - revenge on his successor - the mild-mannered and good-natured `Smoochy' (his stage name), played by Edward Norton. Also, it's fair to say that, despite Robin Williams being billed as the `star,' I was surprised at how much screen time was given to Edward Norton - really he should be billed as the star.

There are mob hits, beatings, murder, blackmail and Nazis in this film - hardly the stuff of your average family comedy. Therefore, the humour is pretty black. It's also a satire - showing you the `dark side' of something so allegedly pure as children's TV.

If you like your movies dark, satirical and slightly over the top, then give this one a go. You won't forget the sight of gangsters performing a `hit' on a giant, cuddly rhino in a hurry.

7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that