Watch The Stupids

The Stupids is a slapstick comedy film from 1996 directed by John Landis and starring Tom Arnold as the titular character, Stanley Stupid. The movie is based on a series of children's books by James Marshall and Harry Allard, and follows the misadventures of the Stupid family as they unwittingly stumble upon a conspiracy to smuggle stolen goods out of the country.

At its core, The Stupids is a classic example of physical comedy and lowbrow humor, with plenty of pratfalls, sight gags, and slapstick antics that will have audiences laughing out loud. Stanley Stupid, played by Tom Arnold, is a bumbling and clueless father of a suburban family whose naivety and stupidity are matched only by his unflappable confidence.

The film's opening credits feature the Stupid family in a synchronized dance routine, setting the tone for the absurdity that follows. The Stupids live in a quaint, picture-perfect suburban neighborhood, complete with white picket fences and manicured lawns. However, their idyllic existence is soon disrupted when they begin to suspect that their garbage is being stolen in the middle of the night.

Stanley, convinced that he must get to the bottom of this mystery, leads his family on a wild goose chase that takes them from their own front yard to the heart of a criminal conspiracy involving stolen artifacts and secret agents. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a bumbling FBI agent played by Christopher Lee, a smooth-talking villain portrayed by Mark Metcalf, and a kindly old mail carrier who serves as the film's voice of reason.

As the Stupids navigate this dangerous and confusing world, they remain blissfully unaware of their own ignorance, even as they stumble their way towards the truth. They include Stanley's wife, Joan (played by Jessica Lundy), and their children, Buster (Bug Hall) and Petunia (Alex McKenna). Buster is a precocious youngster with a keen sense of curiosity, while Petunia is the archetypal little girl who is always one step ahead of her bumbling father.

One of the most entertaining aspects of The Stupids is the way in which it manages to parody the spy thriller genre while also indulging in its own absurdity. It's a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's clear that the cast and crew had a lot of fun making it. The humor is broad and often silly, but it works because of the commitment of the actors to their roles and the sincerity with which they approach the material.

For those who enjoy irreverent humor and zany antics, The Stupids is a hilarious and entertaining romp that delivers in spades. It may not be high art, but it's a film that knows exactly what it is and embraces its own stupidity with joy and enthusiasm. The film's legacy may have been somewhat forgotten in the years since its release, but for those who value goofy comedies that don't take themselves too seriously, The Stupids is a hidden gem that deserves to be rediscovered.

The Stupids is a 1996 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.