Clue (1985) User Reviews

Lovely little murder mystery comedy!

[The_Void · 8/10 · 30 January 2006]

Films based on videogames are commonplace nowadays, but one thing I've never seen before is a film based on a board game! Clue is a murder mystery that takes its ideas from the popular game of Cluedo. I cant say I'm a fan of that board game (although I sometimes play it on the quiz machine in pub), but I am a fan of murder mystery - and while this film is more of a joke than anything, it generally plays it's cards right and what we have here is a very entertaining little flick, that really does deserve your time! The film shows it's experimental edge by having three endings (which can be played at random on the DVD), and throughout we are treated to a film that has it's audience in mind. Tim Curry is the big name on the cast list, and he plays butler Wadsworth. He's in charge of a house whose master has invited six guests to his home. Naturally, those guests are given the names of the people in Cluedo, and include the likes of Colonel Mustard, Mrs White and Miss Scarlet etc. We are then treated to a night of mystery, as we try to uncover who murdered the host...and why!

One criticism I could easily make of this film is that it doesn't really have a lot of plot. The mystery is very shallow, and is over very quickly. This is only a shame because of the fact that I would have liked to see this go on for longer, however, as the energy that the cast brings to the table is priceless, and really makes for a good time viewing. Tim Curry takes the lead role, and does what he does best. Curry is famous for campy performances in camp films like this, and his role as Wadsworth really does his reputation proud! The film does a very good job of keeping itself wide open, and by the end it really could have been any of the characters behind the murder. This is good because it allows writer-director Jonathon Lynn complete freedom over who committed the murder; but it harms the film, as the audience doesn't really get enough info to have a stab at it themselves. The style of the film suits the mood very well, with old-fashioned clothes and decor giving it that classic mystery feel. Now don't get me wrong; this isn't exactly a great film, but it's a lot of fun and I can't see why anyone wouldn't enjoy it.

An overlooked classic!

[Superunknovvn · 8/10 · 4 February 2008]

When I started watching "Clue" I was amused by the fact that it was based on the famous game of the same name. Two or three actors that I liked are also listed in the cast, so I thought I might give this a shot, if only for curiosity value. Well, what do you know, "Clue" is one of the most fast paced and wittiest play-like comedies ever committed to film! Somehow the makers really managed to make this an original crime/comedy that spoofs all the Agatha Christie whodunnit-movies and blending it effortlessly with references to the the game. The script is so witty and clever it seems like a modern Oscar Wilde-adaptation. The actors and actresses help making it come to life. Even though I was mainly watching this for Christopher Lloyd (who starred in "Back To The Future" that same year, which is kinda hard to believe if you compare his looks in the two movies), Tim Curry (whose performance here seriously rivals all his other great roles like Frank 'N' Furter and Pennywise The Clown) and Michael McKean (great as ever), the whole cast really blew me away, because it had such a great on screen-chemistry together.

Up until the ending (the three different endings, that is), "Clue" is one hell of an entertaining ride that doesn't bore you for a second. This one is a real sleeper, one of the greatest and most overlooked comedies of the 80's. If you get a chance to watch it, definitely do so!

A Game Cast At Play

[dtb · 8/10 · 1 September 1999]

CLUE has been one of our family's favorites for years. It's one of those irresistibly zany comedy-mysteries that, even though I have a copy of the film, I'm happy to watch it if I stumble across it on TV (don't touch that dial! :-)). Despite a few groaners among the gags (how many times did they need to sniff for doggie-doo in the beginning?), there are enough witty lines ("Communism was just a red herring!" and "Flames...on the side of my face...", among others, are frequently quoted in our home) delivered sparklingly by the top-notch cast amid enough madcap scampering about to make CLUE very watchable on a lazy afternoon, or even a not-so-lazy one, for that matter. Tim Curry (who deserves to be in more good movies) steals the show, particularly when he reenacts the entire movie in about 15 minutes during the climax, accompanied by John Morris's rollicking music. The film was released with three different endings, each of which has been shown on cable--the one that recalls MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is my favorite. Give CLUE a shot...in your living room...with the DVD player!

A cult classic

[Op_Prime · 22 September 2000]

Clue is a laugh riot from start to finish. The cast is great with the obvious star being Tim Curry. The plot is well thought out and is rather original. Clue is the perfect mixture of comedy and mystery. The best treat is that this movie has three completely different and hilarious endings. This is a must see.

The Famous game board with Comedy

[AvionPrince16 · 7/10 · 4 July 2022]

A nice movie . A whodunnit pretty well made with some mysteries that can make us pretty implicated until the end of the movie and to see all the revelations and who killed the six people. I enjoyed the humour : the different endings , when the guy who try to explain us what happened during all the night . I mean it was pretty original and the comedy give some memorable moments and some explanations that fit that kind of humor . The revelations were pretty believable and make the story pretty interesting and like all whodunnit we are trying to solve the case and to know the reasons and we finally know that there are multiple murders and murderers and make the end pretty surprising . Of course the movie is inspired by the famous board game and i enjoyed that . Nice discovery and nice movie.

Fantastic performances salvage a standard whodunnit

[jdollak · 9/10 · 18 January 2005]

I've been annoyed at most of the bad reviews I read of this movie, because none of them understand what it's all about. It's true; the script is not actually that great. What makes it great is how everything is delivered. The cast is fantastic in playing each part as a cliché, even when the lines are far from it. Curry plays the role with so much ham that it's understood why the script is like this. This is a play, not a movie. I can understand not being in the mood for this film. But I can't understand not appreciating these fantastic performances. Another person pointed out that this film needs to be seen in widescreen. This is correct-the movie reaches another level of greatness by seeing it in proper aspect-ratio. And I've never seen Colleen Camp looking this fantastic.

Hysterical in more than one way

[ConsistentlyFalconer · 7/10 · 2 August 2015]

There aren't any films that have been based on board games. This was a childhood favourite of mine (both the game and the film).

There's something really satisfying about seeing good actors being silly. Tim Curry, of course, is a class act - a master in scenery-chewing who's right at home in this particularly manic role. Madeline Kahn always reminded me of Imelda Staunton with her perfectly- timed facial expressions; and Michael McKean is excellent as usual.

This film is more manic than the similar - but more sophisticated - Murder By Death (1976), and from my wife's reaction when watching it, I'm sure a lot of my fondness of it comes from enjoying it as a child... but I still say if you can stand the rather hysterical performances you'll be in for a treat - lots of great one-liners and memorable moments (Jane Wiedlin with the briefest of cameos as a singing telegram in particular). The alternative endings, too, are an enjoyable gimmick.

yetanotherfilmreviewblog.tumblr.com

A hectic murdermysterycomedy with a pace like none other.

[ryanj3 · 10/10 · 13 December 2004]

This is easily Tim Curry's best role (yes, even better than Frank from RHPS). He is dry and quick to a level that I have never seen topped, and with an all star cast to support him, this is easily my favorite pun filled, fast paced comedy. The beginning of the story begins slow and exponentially increases til the very end. The speed at which the actors are delivering their lines is staggering at some points, and goes to the technical grace of the actors like Christopher Lloyd and Leslie Ann Warren. Also, the late great Madeline Kahn produces a hilarious Ms. White who shall be remembered as her second greatest role (under Young Frankenstein). I cannot say enough about this movie, the script and its wonderful actors.

A board game comes to life

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 15 August 2020]

The popular board game Clue comes to the screen with a lively cast of wonderful performers, including Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Eileen Brennan, Lesley Ann Warren, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Coleen Camp, and Christopher Lloyd.

It's the old dark house mystery - these were big in the '80s, with films such as "Murder by Death," "Haunted Honeymoon," etc. There are several different endings - when I saw it, the audience was shown all of them, but I understand you can actually choose one in some versions.

All the performances are wonderful, but for me Madeline Kahn and her monologue about her hatred for Yvette - which was improvised - stands out.

Lots of laugh out loud moments as the bodies pile up and secrets are revealed.

Would anyone care for fruit or dessert?

[R_O_U_S · 9/10 · 17 February 2004]

Like Clockwise, this is just a movie I've always found very funny. Superbly casting some superlative film talents into the board game roles of Colonel Mustard et al, this throws the greatest over-actor of them all in as the butler and lets rip. The murders start to pile up, getting sillier and sillier (three cheers for the Singing Telegram Girl!) The pace picks up, so that about half an hour before the end the butler starts to exposit and virtually never stops. Oh, and there are three endings, just for good measure. And the last line is an all-time classic.

Very Deserving of its Status as a Cult Classic

[KinoBuff2021 · 7/10 · 15 November 2023]

'Clue' (1985) is fun. There's not a dull moment in the film even if you think you know who did it which depending on the ending might be true. And you will probably be wrong or at least questioning who did it throughout the film.

I'll be honest, I do think I have ever played the board game this film is based on. A first of it kind I believe, movie based on a board game, the plot is as crazy as a real board game with family or friends would be.

The one-liners and overall delivery of the lines gives this film such a fast paced feel you find yourself wrapped in the mystery of it all!

This film is for sure a classic and lives up to the hype. Watch it by yourself or with friends, but either way you'll be happily entertained!

The popular board game comes alive in this hilarious comedy!

[mdm-11 · 10/10 · 10 October 2004]

Clue" (the movie), features just about every great comedy actor of the day. From Leslie Ann Warren to Michael McKean to Eileen Brennan to Howard Hessman to the priceless Tim Curry, they're all here! -- If you are familiar with the board game, just picture a film version of the search for "whodunit". This laugh-a-minute fun fest is loaded with outrageous, silly slapstick, superbly acted out by the great cast.

You'll be amazed at how many of the lines and gags get stuck in your head. I'll never be able to forget the flustered looks of Mrs. Peacock, the wit and charm of Wadsworth or the subtle facial expressions of Mrs. White. The picture in this WIDE SCREEN VERSION is the best yet of this film since it's initial release.

The soundtrack is kept in it's original mono, still I'd greatly enjoy hearing a stero or, even better, a surround sound version in the future. Now you have the option of really not knowing who did it until the final scenes play bringing surprise into the untold repeat viewings that are sure to occur.

Who Knew a Board Game Could Become a Movie So Well?

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 13 April 2010]

A group of people are invited to the home of Mr. Boddy, for reasons unknown. They soon discover they have all been blackmailed, and almost immediately after the revelation, Boddy is found dead. They all had a motive: but which one of them was it?

This film has an excellent cast, especially the men. Tim Curry as Wadsworth the Butler, Christopher Lloyd as the smooth womanizer Professor Plum, Michael McKean as homosexual Mr. Green and Martin Mull as Colonel Mustard. The women's roles are much less star-studded, but all played very well, indeed. Some have said that the women's roles are better-written. Perhaps.

The beauty of this film is that it takes a board game about murder and makes the story both believable and incredibly humorous. Yes, kids, murder can be fun, as long as you have Tim Curry running the show. And there is a hint of a political message: "Communism was just a red herring." This is repeated three times -- does it have a grand significance, or is it just a joke about the word "red"? Did the film need to be set in 1954?

Following in the footsteps of such great comedic mysteries as "The Private Eyes", if you have not seen "Clue" (and cable television used to re-run the heck out of it) you should give it a shot. If nothing else, you cannot say no to Tim Curry.

Gimmick works, movie doesn't

[hall895 · 5/10 · 3 February 2012]

Clue, the movie where if you don't like the ending don't despair because we've got two more endings you can try and maybe you'll like one of those better. An interesting gimmick. Sadly, that gimmick is about the only interesting thing the movie has to offer. When you're making a movie out of a board game you can't expect to produce a cinema classic. All you're looking to do is make a movie that's fun. And this movie just isn't fun enough. The performers have a good go at it, most notably a deliriously over the top Tim Curry, but the material lets them down. Jokes fall flat, the movie drags and by the end you really don't care who did it. And finding out who did it is the whole point of the movie so that's a problem.

The movie sets itself up the way anyone who's ever played the game knows it would. All the famous characters are brought together in a secluded mansion. Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard. Somebody ends up lying dead on the floor. Who did it? And where? And with what? Well the where part is no great mystery. Or is it? There may be surprises to come. Anyhow our six suspects must figure out which of them is the killer. They are assisted by the butler Wadsworth, who serves as a sort of master of ceremonies for the bizarre evening, and the French maid Yvette. Along the way more bodies pile up. Attempted jokes pile up too but so many of them miss the mark. The comedy falls flat and the movie does too. None of the six suspects really stands out. Perhaps the filmmakers didn't want to point your suspicions in any one direction. But the effect is that bland characters make a bland movie. Michael McKean's Mr. Green and Madeline Kahn's Mrs. White are particularly dull. No fault of the performers, they really have nothing to work with. Even Christopher Lloyd, playing Professor Plum, is rather dry and boring. If you can make Christopher Lloyd boring you've really done something. Not something good though. Lesley Ann Warren does make a ravishing Miss Scarlett, always my prime suspect when I played the game. But she's upstaged in the va-va-va-voom department by Colleen Camp's wonderfully bouncy Yvette. Martin Mull makes no real impression as Colonel Mustard. Eileen Brennan's Mrs. Peacock does have some personality but she's more annoying than anything else. It's really left to Curry, playing Wadsworth, to inject some life into the movie. And he tries. Boy does he try, never more so than near the end with his madcap recap of events. But game as Curry is he can't perform a total salvage job on this largely disappointing movie. It's a whodunit where the answer is "who cares?"

My all time favorite movie!

[Jaxxx · 25 October 2001]

I love this movie more than any other. I cannot get enough of it. I have seen it over fifty times and still have trouble remembering who killed who, why they killed who, where they killed and the weapon they used to kill. After about ten times I could remember who killed who and why, plus what their dark secret was. Once you have it down, you can have fun paying attention who is not in the room (because they are killing another) and how they are able to sneak away from their partner, kill someone, and come back un noticed. The end is a little hard to follow (Mr Boddy was really the butler, Wadsworth was really Mr. Boddy) and it is annoying watching Wadsworth retell the events in a fast-forwarded version with all three endings. The acting and casting of parts is exceptional. It is a fun movie that most people will enjoy. Having three unique endings distinguishes this movie from all others. The final ending, and the reasons behind everything, is hysterical. You cannot see this movie just once... You need to see it atleast two, three, four times to pay attention to detail!

The first movie based on a board game deals with several characters must unravel a lot of murders at a bizarre mansion

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 7 May 2014]

An entertaining and funny comedy of murders . The popular board game's roles must uncover a night of murder at a creepy mansion . It is in fact an amusing imitation of Crime Story including enjoyable and sympathetic performances by the entire cast . Well-known actors at large in a sinister Victorian mansion , then appears amusement and entertainment , as all of them running around and taking place murders , who's the killer? . This popular charade deals with a fistful of famed stars (Lesley Ann Warren , Christopher Lloyd , Michael Mckean , Madeline Kahn , Martin Mull , Eileen Brennan) incarnating suspect criminals , as six guests are invited and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery . The film takes place in "New England," 1954 as revealed in the opening scenes , as various characters are invited to a spooky mansion full of secret passages and spinning rooms , there they are received by an eccentric butler (amusingly played by Tim Curry who had previously starred in another comedy set in a gigantic mansion, that was The Rocky Horror Picture Show ,1975) and the buxom French maid Yvette (Colleen Camp though Jennifer Jason Leigh, Demi Moore and Madonna were considered for the role) . This is a very entertaining movie full of frolics , killings , antics , capers and suspects . As the popular characters must unravel a night of murder at an eerie country house . This film featured three endings, five bodies, six weapons and seven suspects . This is featured in one of the tag-lines for the film but as there are six murders, one for each weapon, there are actually six bodies not five.

This is a fun rendition of a famous board game called Cluedo , known in the USA as Clue , in fact , the color of each character's car is the same color as their playing piece in the game . It results to be an entertaining and bemusing spoof of Agatha Christie novels , though it is in fact a pale imitation of the earlier , much better and more satisfying sleuthing spoof ¨Murder by death¨ by Robert Moore with Alec Guinness , Truman Capote , Elsa Lanchester , David Niven , Nancy Walker , James Cromwell and Eileen Brennan too ; as this movie was followed by hammy spoof ¨Clue¨(1985) an inferior but enjoyable imitation of the previous parody . It is an entertaining and fun comedy of murders in which the laughs pile up before your eyes , director has got success in keeping the bizarre and grotesque appearances of the actors in hyperactive movement , shouting and frantic running around , principally from Tim Curry . Despite the ridiculous and unnecessary camera movements , Jonathan Lynn manages to maintain a coherent and compelling plot plenty of twists and turns . The screenplay is funny and high quality in which it's not difficult to work out on which murder-solvers each of them is modeled ; furthermore , stand up Tim Curry as a botcher as well as hyperactive butler and a suitably eccentric Lesley Ann Warren , of course , Christopher Lloyd is appealing too . The entire cast seems to be subsisting on sugar with wild eyes and frenetic movements the order of the day . You'll enjoy enormously the impersonations of the strange characters . The film was one of a number of pictures, mostly comedies, made and released between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, that revived the old dark house mansion movie . Three endings were shot, and a different one shown at each theater . All three are included on video . The DVD, however, aside from all three endings, also offers the option to play the movie with one randomly selected ending. In some cities, the newspaper print ads indicated which version was being shown at each theater .

Lively and fun musical score by John Morris . Evocative and colorful cinematography by Victor J. Kemper . This whodunit mystery picture was uneven but professionally directed by Jonathan Lynn . Lynn is an expert on comedies as he has demonstrated in My cousin Vinny , The Distinguished Gentleman , Greedy , Nuns on the run , The Whole Nine Yards , among others . Lynn has also enjoyed notable success on the British stage and television with series as Yes Prime Minister , My Brother's Keeper , Doctor on the go , and Doctor at sea . Though the picture's performance at the box-office was disappointing, the film ¨Clue¨ has since developed a cult following .

It's All Good Baby...

[coatzey · 10/10 · 21 January 2005]

How fantastic was this film??? It was made three years after i was born but the first time i saw it, about 7 year old i think... i fell in love. After mentioning to everyone i knew about this film nobody seemed to have heard of it... i get the same reaction now... all i can say is i feel real pity for the people that have never seen this film. One of the best films i have ever seen... not many people can watch films 4 times in one day but if you had the DVD you'd understand... watching all three random endings and then the film with all three!! Fantastic and you find yourself laughing just as much as you did the first time you watched it. All of the actors where brilliant and so incredibly funny, but i have to make a special mention to Tim Curry... OMG no matter what he does he's amazing but Wadsworth can turn the coldest heart, even when he's naughty ;) Tim Curry, we love you hun and you get better with age... It's all good babe!!!

Thoughtful spoof of every conceivable mystery plot element in the book

[policy134 · 6/10 · 6 August 2005]

Just 10 minutes into watching this film and you will not be able to say that this is not a movie above the ordinary. It fondly spoofs not only the mystery movies but also to some extent the screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's.

Tim Curry, at his most manic, dominates almost every scene and he is in nearly all of them. It must have taken a great deal of energy to make the total outrageous scenes at the end where he runs from one room to the next and deliver lines with rapid speed.

Besides Curry, there isn't really any of the other actors who stand out and it was probably intended. Even the great Christopher Lloyd is rather sedated and everybody screams on cue every 2 minutes, like it was some kind of contest to see who could do it most.

The atmosphere has an Airplane type mood to it, with flashing lightning and rain that doesn't come down but pours. Everybody was probably amused and they seem to have a rather good time, except maybe Colleen Camp who was typecast through most of the 80's as the character she plays here.

Jonathan Lynn, the director, would go on to better things like "My cousin Vinny" but this is an impressive early effort from a TV-writer (he was one of the creators of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister). Even though the manic energy is funny at first it gets a bit tiresome at the end but otherwise 1 hour and a half well spent.

One of my absolute favourites!

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 5 February 2009]

I mean, this movie is just fantastic, marginally better than Murder By death, which I didn't understand at the end, though that is a good film. With the costumes, the actors and a gem of a script, what could possibly go wrong? The script was hilarious. Every line was enough to make you fall off the chair. The Kingdom of Heaven bit was sidesplittingly funny, because it was just so random. True, it is nothing like the Board Game, but the way they revolve it around the Board Game, was so clever. Some of it was extremely silly, but have a heart, it's a comedy, it's supposed to be. The casting was just ingenious. Eileen Brennan was just flawless, giving Mrs Peacock a much needed bit of edge. Tim Cury stole every scene he was in, and he looked , as always, as though he was having the time of his life. Madeline Kahn was just hilarious, especially with her line "Husbands should be like Kleenex, soft, strong and disposable" and the iconic "Life before death is as improbable as sex after marriage". Christopher Lloyd seemed restrained, but his dry humour made Professor Plum an unforgettable character. Michael McKean was a bit whiny, but I don't care, it's called acting, plus Mr Green is supposed to be timid. Martin Mull has great comedic timing, and brought a bit a stupidity to his role of Colonel Mustard. My favourite characterisation was that of Miss Scarlet, played by Lesley Ann Warren, looking gorgeous in that emerald green dress. (Miss Scarlet was the closest characterisation to the board Game). Colleen Camp looked lovely and I liked the jokes about her boobs, and Lee Ving (part of a joke, Leaving soon) was very good too. The three endings were so funny, very silly, but it is like the Pink panther franchise, it is all about the comedy. You would've never guessed the final solution in a million years, because the third ending had me completely by surprise, and I am not kidding. This movie is a must-see for all Tim Curry fans, like me. If you want to see more of this talented man, check out Legend, Rocky Horror(obviously) and Stephen King's It(his career-best)10/10. Bethany Cox

"Double negative equals proof positive!" (spoilers)

[vertigo_14 · 7/10 · 30 December 2004]

I love the old board game, Clue, a lot. So when I was a kid, I jumped at the chance to see the movie, although I never really appreciated it much till I was a bit older.

Clue is based on the background story to the board game. The evasive Mr. Body (Lee Ving) invites six guests to his mansion for dinner and blackmail. His six guests, Mr. Green (Michael McKeon), Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn), Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Col. Mustard (Martin Mull), and Mrs. Scarlet (Leslie Ann Warren) all have something in common, although they don't initially know this, some dark secret in their background that they'd rather not have out in the open. But if Mr. Body doesn't expose them, they'll have to spill the beans anyways in order to clear themselves. Although, this is really inconsequential to the story in the end, anyway. That is, when Mr. Body suddenly drops dead before his guests, followed by the cook and the butler. Before anymore wind up dead, and in order to catch the culprit and solve the whodunnit, the six guests lock themselves inside the mansion to figure out who killed them, in what room, and with what weapon. Hence, the connection to the board game.

You have a great comedic cast, even if there is not much of a story and the entire film is focused on the characters really doing nothing more than running all around the creepy mansion, engaging in a few amusing miscalculations. I suppose because they weren't sure how to end such a simple story (and given all of the possibilities you're offered in the game), they have this is a movie with three different endings, each starting with..."if it happened that way." But, this comedy is particularly saved by a tremendous cast, especially Madeline Kahn (I love the "flames" routine she does) as the scheming Mrs. White.

The story is quite similar to the 1945 mystery drama, "...And Then There Were None," based on the Agatha Christie novel. If you like Clue, I would highly recommend this older version of the novel adaptation (I have not yet seen any of the remakes). There, ten guests are invited to an isolated mansion and, one by one, each is killed off according to the old poem, Ten Little Indians. A much funnier version of this latter film, and one closer to Clue (but still funnier yet) is the Neil Simon comedy, "Murder By Death," which involves a highly eccentric mansion resident who invites famous private detectives to his mansion for a game. He informs them that each will be killed off and the person who figures out who the culprit is wins the game. So if you like Clue, you might enjoy those two movies, too.

A classic

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 13 August 2015]

Nothing else needs to be said, other then this is a true classic film, brilliant conceived and hilariously acted. It's fast paced, side splittingly funny and beautifully acted. It's my favourite role of Tim Curry's, he's had thus far a wonderful career, but he's extraordinarily charming and energetic, he does not stop. Tim Curry apart it's the three female characters of Peacock, Scarlet and White that make the film. Madeline Kahn is so sexy as femme fatale Mrs White, Lesley Anne Warren has the most sensational figure (although Dr who fans may agree, when we first see her she looks like a vervoid.) However it's Eileen Brennan's Mrs Peacock that I enjoy most, she delivers some hilarious lines with a slick and easy manner. How cool is it to have a film with 3 different endings, each is so good. 10/10 a classic I never tire of, i'd put it up there with Murder by Death, it's that good.

Clue is my favorite movie of all time. It's not objectively amazing, but it's so damn fun

[bypeterfenton · 7/10 · 10 February 2022]

I feel comfortable going on record and saying Clue is my favorite movie of all time. But is it the best movie of all time? No, no, of course not. I'd be an idiot to pretend this film is more than it is. But let me walk you through why I like it: the script is fantastic! It's definitely the sort of comedy where you have to both pay attention to what is being said and pay attention to what the actors are doing to really appreciate how witty everything is. "Do you like Kipling, Miss Scarlett?" "Sure, I'll eat anything." Classic! So fun... the comedy really lands, nearly 40 years after its initial release. The morbid sense of humor and parody of American culture in the 1950s still resonates today. The cinematography is serviceable, the score works for the mood, and the editing works to keep the film briskly paced.

Beyond the humor though, how does the mystery hold up? Is the storyline really something to admire? No. No, of course not. It's campy and unbelievable and you just have to kick back and appreciate the film for what it is. All three of the possible endings aren't really that plausible under even the slightest bit of scrutiny and there are quite a few elements of character backstory that are touched on and not explored to a satisfying degree. This isn't really the kind of film that was trying to be high art, and it succeeds in exactly what it tried to be, and I really admire that. It's still my favorite movie of all time and it's just so likeable. I'll always say yes to rewatching Clue!

Fun 'Whodunit' Mystery!

[OllieSuave-007 · 9/10 · 22 July 2004]

This is one of those movies that I would watch repeatedly and still holds up as a great source of entertainment for me.

Based on the board game of the same name by Parker Brothers, six guests, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet are invited to a Victorian mansion for a dinner party. The host later reveals they are all being blackmailed and wanted to get everybody together to confront the perpetrator, the alleged Mr. Boddy, who later is murdered by one of the guests. What follows is an exciting and intriguing series of events of finger-pointing, revealing secrets, and motives - all leading to the thrilling investigation of the entire house for clues and Butler Wadsworth's reenactment of the night's events.

All the characters gave a memorable performance, each in his/her own unique flavor. The plot and story by Jonathan Lynn and John Landis, with solid direction by Lynn, are fast-paced and exciting, as this movie constantly reminds you that there is a murderer on the loose and there are obvious suspects on screen for you to decipher! In addition, I think John Morris' terrific music score enhances the mysterious feel of a murder mystery movie.

The humor is great, with Miss Scarlet's acid wit being my favorite. This is also one of those movies that you will find something new every time you watch it. Some downsides, I believe, were that some of the rooms like the Conservatory, Ball Room and Billiard Rooms weren't used enough and Mr. Green's character was a little too melodramatic. But overall, a fun comedy that never gets old.

Grade A-

Clueless

[questl-18592 · 7/10 · 23 May 2021]

The OG whodunnit as far as I'm concerned. Clue is an awesome movie with a great cast. It strikes this perfect balance of dry humor, insanity and fourth wall breaking and it totally works every time I watch it. This is a great one to go back to and just enjoy the interactions between all the characters and the wacky mystery. Makes me want to pick up a Clue board every time.

Not very funny....and not much fun...

[tmpj · 4/10 · 1 August 2010]

This movie is somewhat over-rated. I found it to be a difficult watch. The humor is forced...not natural. There are many cheap shots and bad gags in this picture. While Tim Curry and Martin Mull make the film watchable to what extent that it is watchable, they are not enough to salvage this nightmare of a comedy...turned tragedy. About half an hour into the movie, I was so bored and so "not with it" that I did not care who got killed, who killed them...or why. This film is a parody on the old murder mysteries of the 20s, 30s and 40s...and not a lot of those films were good, either. "Clue" is cliché ridden, hammed-up, over-acted in spots by some of the characters, and a bit confusing at times. It could have been a bit better if it had been toned down perhaps a tad...and if the atmosphere for suspense had been better laid down. But...no...here it is..."in your face" comedy...right from the first frame...no building of the story...no coherence, no real theme, no reason that any of it makes sense...or even that it SHOULD make sense...and no real reason to watch it, from my perspective...and I do not recommend it unless you have...literally...the patience of Job.