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Strange Brew (1988)

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70

Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 6

Though lowbrow in intent and outcome, Strange Brew effectively mines laughs from its unique premise and likeable stars.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1

Though lowbrow in intent and outcome, Strange Brew effectively mines laughs from its unique premise and likeable stars.

audience

79

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 31,134

My Rating

Movie Info

Purporting to be loosely based on Hamlet, Strange Brew is about an evil braumeister at the Elsinore Brewery who has discovered an additive that when guzzled in beer, allows the drinkers to be easily controlled. Braumeister Smith (Max von Sydow) has a plan to take over the world with his new brew, and only the Great White hosers of the North, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) -- with their plaid shirts, ski toques, fur-lined parkas, and addiction to beer -- can stop the

PG, 1 hr. 30 min.

Comedy

,

Oct 1, 2002

Cast

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (7) | DVD (9)

The price of a ticket could buy enough beer for an experience at least as memorable as this one.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Their take on the Bard is as imaginative as any other cinematic adaptation, plus a good deal funnier

April 2, 2010 Full Review Source: CinePassion | Comment
CinePassion

No, there's nothing intelligent here -- just a couple of likable fellows trying to stop mad Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow) from gaining control of the world.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film celebrates stupidity and would likely have caused an international incident if Canadians weren't so nice, but it essentially lives up to its premise, once in a while coming up with a gag that is halfway funny.

May 13, 2008 Comment

Clunky booze comedy based on popular Canadian air heads.

February 22, 2008 Comment
Video-Reviewmaster.com

The plotline (derived from Hamlet) soon goes flat.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

There's tons of weird stuff here.

December 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Threat | Comment
Film Threat

"Hamlet" done by Canadian drunks! Absolute genius!

March 5, 2005 Comment

Just odd enough to skate by; you remember the singular tone of the film long after the gags have faded.

March 18, 2004 Comment

Brilliant. Stupid...but brilliant.

May 27, 2003 Comment
Needcoffee.com

[A] funny movie about a couple of Canadians who sit around and drink a lot.

March 10, 2003 Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | Comment
Austin Chronicle

Strange Brew, incidental and faintly funny as it may be, was the start of a legacy much longer and significant than itself.

October 29, 2002 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | Comment
Filmcritic.com

I laughed so hard the bullet flew out of my nose.

August 30, 2002 Comment
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

One of the greatest beer movies of all time!

August 8, 2002 Comment
Supercala.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Strange Brew

Follow the idiot McKenzie brothers on this incredibly dumb journey, this is a stupid Canadian comedy masterpiece, hoser!

November 20, 2011
Graham Jones

Super Reviewer

A memorable Hamlet adaptation. Great and silly.

May 11, 2011
Lucas Martins

Super Reviewer

    1. Doug McKenzie: It's a ten speed, a five speed times two. Besides there's no way we're wrecking this one. This is a BEER truck!
    – Submitted by sean b (2 months ago)

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