Wired

When watching this one gets the strong impression PARTNERS FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA bankrolled the whole project and I strongly warn anybody looking for a comedy here to think twice. WIRED is a very interesting and unique film that takes a long dark look at the tragic life of John Belushi. Larry Peerce presents this as he would one of his television episodes and this is no surprise as he's a TV vet having directing everything from episodes of the original BATMAN series to THE GREEN HORNET. The genius here actually rests in the script Earl Mac Rauch (BUCKAROO BANZAI) provides. WIRED opens with Belushi waking up in the morgue and we are then taken through a history of his life as Bob Woodward researches it for his biography. The premise is unique to say the least and is extremely effective here. Also effective is Michael Chiklis in his big screen debut. I'd actually managed to forget he was the lead and it's amazing to see him deliver such a performance when you consider his work on THE SHIELD and as THE THING in THE FANTASTIC FOUR films .....of which I'm pretty damn sure there won't be another of after the drastic failure of RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER. He nails Belushi bang on, as does the late J. T. Walsh as Woodward. Also right on the mark is Patti D`Arbanville`s portrayal of Cathy Smith. I use to serve Smith when I worked in the pawn shop while I was earning my gemology degree and I gotta tell ya the simularities here a downright fucking spooky. WIRED is by no means a feel good film but it`s well worth hunting down.