Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity (2007)

Too much of everything

i must have seen a different film!!

Good movie but grossly overrated

Better than most people think

Coming to you from Washington, D.C., this is Jeff Dunham's second comedy special and the guy is simply a blast. No pun intended there considering Achmed the Dead Terrorist pretty much takes the term literally. Achmed is joined by Dunham's regular stable of suitcase pals - old curmudgeon Walter, Melvin the Super Hero, Peanuts and Jose, Jalapeno on a Stick. It's quite difficult to catch Dunham move his lips while voicing the characters, every once in a while you'll notice, but otherwise he's got the ventriloquism gig down perfectly. Notice the fan reaction to Dunham's routine, you have people in the audience who double over from the snarky comments of his characters and his precise comic timing. As an aside, did you ever see a picture of Walter and former Vice-President Joe Biden side by side? The resemblance is uncanny.

I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to stand-up comics, but I don't think I've ever laughed harder at a single comedian than Jeff Dunham. The guy is a master. Watching his shows is a non-stop ticket to comedy heaven, and the acts do not get any less funny when watched repeatedly.Jeff Dunham brings back some of his most popular puppets (Walter, Peanut, and Jose Jalepeno), and brings on two new ones (Achmed the Dead Terrorist and Melvin the Superhero Guy). Walter, my personal favorite, is funnier than ever. I was laughing so hard that I could hardly breathe. Unfortunately, Dunham brought back his weakest puppet, Peanut, who's worse than before. In "Arguing with Myself," Peanut boasted a few laughs. Here, he nearly brings the show to a dead stop. Dunham needs to take the hint and get rid of this irritating Muppet-wannabe. Have the somewhat funnier Jose the Jalepeno pair up with another puppet. Or better yet, get rid of him as well and bring back a funnier doll, like Sweet Daddy D.His two new puppets are more successful. Achmed the Dead Terrorist is Dunham's most famous puppet, and there's a reason for it: he's hysterical. The inept ex-suicide bomber is almost as funny as Walter. Dunham risked a lot by putting such a controversial character into his show, but Dunham is never insulting to anyone (except terrorists).Less successful is Melvin the Superhero Guy, but he can generate a few laughs. The big-nosed superhero isn't as funny as Walter or Achmed, but he's a lot more entertaining than Peanut.The director, Michael Shannon, isn't as good as "Spark of Insanity's" Manny Rodriguez. Shannon frames Jeff and his puppets pretty well, but his sense of comic timing needs fine-tuning. Fortunately, Jeff is funny enough to not let this ruin the jokes.If you thought "Arguing with Myself" was funny, don't miss this one!

The public celebrates his jokes with extremely patriotism. Jeff knows where is the money and he gives to his public exactly what they want. And that is the feeling that American people are superior. All his characters make, more or less, some racist joke. It cant turns very irritant the loudly "HUUUUU!!!" and idiots claps approving the racist comments. Melvin the superhero is lovely, maybe because it's the most innocent character of the show. And make jokes without "american-inside-sense" is very difficult. That's the spirit of the show, and Melvin has it. Too bad that the others needs permanently support of racist jokes. Jeff is funny. And very talent. You can't see less of two persons on stage.

I first saw Jeff Dunham when I was in high school and all he had was Peanut and Jose Jalapeno. My sister and I were always saying the "zooom" Peanut does when someone doesn't get a joke - and actually, still do! When I saw him on Comedy Central a couple of years ago, I could not believe it had been about 15 years since I had seen him. I am so glad he still has Peanut and Jose Jalepeno (on a stick!) and absolutely love Walter. Luckily I was able to see him in Boca Raton last year and he was outstanding. It is impossible to not think the puppets are the ones who are actually alive - he is a truly gifted ventriloquist. Anxious to see what new characters he comes up with - Achmed is too funny. Can't wait to see him again!!!