The Rutles 2 - Can't Buy Me Lunch (2003)

Eric Idle is a money-grubbing wh*re!

I love the Rutles (everything Rutles up until this).

I questioned Neil Innes about this 2nd Rutles movie at Beatlefest 2008 in Chicago in August. He said that him and Idle ate lunch together one day at which time Eric asked him what he thought of a second Rutles movie. Neil said he supported the concept. The snobbish (my words, not Neil's) Idle then went ahead with the 2nd movie without any input whatsoever from Neil or the other 2 Rutles. What a moron!

My 6-yr old and 3-yr old love watching the 1st Rutles movie with me, as well as enjoying both Rutles albums. This 2nd movie however is not family friendly and is currently over their heads with all of the filthy sexual references that Idle saw fit to include.

Eric Idle is a has been. This will be the last time this consumer puts any money in Idle's pockets. Take my advice, please.....and don't waste your time or money on this stinker of a mockumentary.

October 14, 2008

The Rutles 2 dvd - Can't Buy Me Lunch

Not so good

The extras are a little interesting (Tom Hanks, Bowie interviews) but I can't imagine this being cherished as the original

When you think of the original film, you think of classic bits: Bill Murray the K, Jim Belushi as the Klein character, Leggy getting around (and tragically accepting a teaching post abroad - but the other Rutles COULD call!)

Here theres nothing really new. Its kind of bland. Its fun to see Jennifer Lopez interviewed on the Rutles, but, really, the only thing I really remember about this film is the music (Archaeology!)

Again, don't buy, cos its really not that good. Its not terrible or anything, but you get the sense its just a rehash of the original. And I would swear theres some footage repeated from the original!

Watch the original Rutles film though! its a really hoot, with a lot of SNL folk (Belushi, Murray, Radner, Davis) October 2, 2008

Not great, but not bad

This film is not as great as some here have stated, but it's not as bad as some have claimed either.
I absolutely agree with the bad reviews that you should pay as little for it as possible, but I don't agree that the new footage and interviews are as worthless as some suggest.
I had the advantage of reading these reviews before I bought it, and I also found it in a sale bin for four bucks. I knew not to expect a great film, so I was open to accepting it for what it is.
Of course the original Rutles film was a classic, and those hoping that lightning might have struck twice will be disappointed. If, however, you just want to experience a little more of the Rutles silliness without expecting too much, I think you'll get a laugh out of it.
It really is more a look back at the original Rutles film than a new take on the idea. Still, I found much of the new material and interviews pretty funny. One reviewer complained about the re-use of the gag involving Eric Idle running after the speeding camera crew, but the punchline to this segment was both new and funny. At least I thought so. Not brilliant, but funny. I also enjoyed Robin Williams playing the German owner of the Hamburg club where the Rutles started out.
If you're a Beatles/Rutles fan, buy it cheap, lower your expectations from the first film and I think you'll enjoy it. If you won't be satisfied with anything less than the first film's originality and cleverness, avoid it at any cost! August 24, 2008

no yux in faux-doc redux

This cringe-inducing bore is another example of a Mr Idle's sole remaining skill of proving that you don't have to have sex in order to be a prostitute. Watching this hideousness today on VH1 following the airing of the original that spawned this monster, I feel 'intellectually raped', Mr Idle, as you yourself said about the Rutles' "Anthology" disc, though you've never sang or played a note on any Rutles material and can't even pantomime playing a bass guitar with even quasi-authenticity if it would save your already-bargained soul. Not that you'd care.

Having done nothing that's impressed us too much since the Disco Era, Idle's 'new' Rutles faux-doc redux is a recycling of 'Meet The Rutles' with new footage of Idle replaying his negligible narrator character (as he has also already done more convincingly on several Simpsons' episodes) and is far too expensive at $9.99 or even its current lowest price of $5.21. Some retread interview footage and replays of a few of the musical numbers from the original are included. Sadly, some new interviews have also been added, of people who really don't have anything much to do with the situation except for perhaps having made the subsequent acquaintance of said Mr Idle since 1978, such as Bowie, Robin Williams & Salman Rushdie. (I'd go into hiding.) And Gary Shandling. I rest my case. These new interviews are on video, which is quite jarring juxtaposed with the quality film format of the original material this thing bastardizes so poorly. And take a gander at those infomercial-quality video dissolves to edit these new, possibly tedious, interviews into something sorta-kinda watchable! No stars for this. No, no. In fact, it requires some form of new negative-star rating. August 20, 2008

Total Disapointment

None of the actors playing The Rutles filmed more footage, so think about it. The only thing added was some interviews with a few more people, some material from Idle as a journalist. But 60% of it was just reediting footage from the first one, repeating the same jokes and story. Idle should have left this alone. There are a few laughs, but too few. Its basically idle talking over footage from the first movie. August 2, 2008

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