Watch National Lampoon's Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women
- R
- 1994
- 1 hr 23 min
-
4.4 (475)
National Lampoon's Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women is a goofy comedy about a group of small women trying to take down a corrupt beauty pageant. The film stars Julie Brown, Newell Alexander, and Lisa Arch and was released in 1994. The movie opens with a prologue explaining that the beauty pageant industry is corrupt and that contestants are often exploited by the pageant directors. The film then introduces us to the protagonists: five small women who work as telephone operators for a police station. The women are all 5'2" and frequently face discrimination and belittlement because of their size.
The main character is Martha, played by Julie Brown. Martha is a feisty, sassy woman who suffers from self-esteem issues and is desperate for validation. She enters a local beauty pageant but quickly realizes the dark side of the industry. The pageant director, played by Newell Alexander, only cares about making money and is willing to exploit the contestants in any way possible.
The other four women, played by Lisa Arch, Priscilla Barnes, Pat Crawford Brown, and Adam Storke, join forces with Martha to take down the corrupt pageant. They use their small size to their advantage, sneaking into secret meetings and gathering evidence to expose the pageant director's crimes.
Along the way, the group encounters a variety of colorful characters, including a flamboyant hairstylist, a ditzy pageant coordinator, and a sleazy tabloid reporter. The plot is filled with zany hijinks and slapstick humor, including a memorable scene where the women use a forklift to reach a high-up window.
The movie also dabbles in social commentary, highlighting the scrutiny and pressure that women face regarding their appearance. Martha's struggle with self-esteem is relatable and is an issue that many women face. However, the movie never takes itself too seriously and balances its messages with plenty of goofy humor.
The acting in the movie is solid, with standout performances from both Julie Brown and Newell Alexander. Julie Brown shines as the plucky underdog, and Newell Alexander brings a comedic edge to his villainous role.
The film's special effects are a bit dated, but they add to the charm of the movie. The opening prologue features a cheesy computer-generated beauty pageant crown, and there are a few scenes where the women use blue-screen technology to enhance their size. However, these effects are not distracting and add to the whimsical tone of the movie.
Overall, National Lampoon's Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women is a fun, lighthearted comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. The movie offers plenty of laughs, social commentary, and heartwarming moments. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it's a fun watch and a great choice for fans of 90s comedies.
National Lampoon's Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women is a 1994 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.