Gotcha! (1985)

Wonderfully offbeat film!

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

After an opening gag that tries way too hard and doesn't surprise the audience one bit, this proceeds to remind us of all the things we desperately want to forget about the 80's, starting with the title song that literally fits with the name of the flick, and which is invariably a lousy pop. This is an entirely run-of-the-mill quirky teen comedy... and I use that term loosely, as an extensive search revealed no more than maybe two genuine jokes(and they didn't actually make me laugh). Starring Doc Greene before he put on glasses, a serious face and letters after his surname as an incredibly moronic dude(and honestly, was anyone *that* ignorant during the Cold War?), the primary focus here really appears to be to make fun of all the stupid foreigners that too much of the country thinks the rest of the world is made up of. The material includes lame puns, awful stereotypes and a really poor routine on bureaucracy. It isn't the worst piece of propaganda that this period in history has produced in the form of mainstream entertainment, but it can still be quite sickening. Isn't it ironic how the entry into East Berlin, as shown in this, mirrors getting into the US today, except for the guns? The acting is decent. There is some tension and excitement to be found in this. And hey, the voice of Roger Myers(the guy who runs the fictional animation department that produces Itchy & Scratchy in The Simpsons) is in it. And there's a little hot content, including seconds of nipple-less Fiorentino side-boob. There's a tad of sexuality, and occasional strong language in this. I recommend it purely to those who can't get enough of movies from the decade that have "love" as the subject. 6/10

A very hairy Anthony Edwards stars as a teenager caught up in Cold War espionage in GOTCHA. He meets and falls hard for a femme fatale (Linda F.) on a European vacation and ends up following her into Russian-held East Berlin (this was 1985, remember). She slips an item in his backpack and he's off and running, and returning to the western world does nothing to stop KGB thugs from coming after him. Edwards is in almost every scene and does a fine job portraying a naive nebbish. Linda F. is her usually sexy self, and in th end has a couple of surprises for our very young and very stupid hero. But the movie is at best a throwaway, and probably was from the day it first appeared. The music is typical awful '80s era schlock. You may safely skip this one.

This is superb. There is nothing else to say about it. You know the premise and I'm not about to reveal anymore. Is it somewhat silly? Yes - but aren't they all in this genre? But does it have a good story line and good characters? Does it ever.I don't think Linda Fiorentino ever looked (or acted) better. This is a romp - and it's filmed across half the world, and it isn't only the second unit that gets to travel, unless there's been some very clever scheduling going on.This one is a total keeper. Edwards is simply good, Fiorentino is convincing - just don't expect a Picasso. This isn't big like that - but it's bound to cheer you up on an otherwise easy afternoon.Oh - Alex Rocco and Marla Adams are great as the parents. This is not supposed to be a belly laugh movie, but that just shows what depth and breadth it has. You may not like it - we sure did.

Before Anthony Edwards was fighting cancer and his receding hair line he stared in this romantic thriller of the 80s. Edwards plays Johnathan, a student who spends his time playing paint-ball games and striking out with ladies in tight sweaters. He takes a little trip to Europe and finds himself mixed up in all kinds of crazy espionage. Nick Corri has a supporting role as the hot best friend. Linda Fiorentino (once again not so much as cracking a smile for more than five seconds)plays Sasha, the mysterious young woman who convinces Johnathan to take a little detour. This movie is a perfect 80s film. It has everything; sex, drugs, spies, and bad accents. It is a must see!