Hero at Large
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| Hero at Large | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Martin Davidson |
| Written by | AJ Carothers |
| Produced by | Stephen J. Friedman |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Edited by | David Garfield |
| Music by | Patrick Williams |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | United Artists (United States/Canada) Cinema International Corporation (International) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $15.9 million |
Hero at Large is a 1980 American superhero comedy film starring John Ritter and Anne Archer.[1]
The film was written by AJ Carothers and directed by Martin Davidson. The original music score was composed by Patrick Williams.
Plot
Steve Nichols is a struggling New York City actor who accepts the job of posing as comic-book hero for a movie he's hired to help promote. After he stops a robbery while wearing the "Captain Avenger" costume, his life becomes unexpectedly complicated. Nichols decides to continue "playing" superhero and discovers that a hero's life is more complex than he expected.
Nichols is hired by the Mayor's staff, who hope Captain Avenger's tie-in will win votes for an upcoming election. The plan is ultimately discovered and exposed by the media, leaving Captain Avenger on the outs with the public. Encouraged by his girlfriend, Jolene, to not rely on the costume and mask to gain adulation, Nichols later becomes a bona fide hero when he rescues a child from a burning apartment building.
Cast
- John Ritter as Steve Nichols
- Anne Archer as Jolene Walsh
- Bert Convy as Walter Reeves
- Kevin McCarthy as Calvin Donnelly
- Harry Bellaver as Eddie
- Leonard Harris as Mayor
- Kevin Bacon as 2nd Teenager
- Joyce Brothers as Herself
- Robin Sherwood as Lab Assistant
- Penny Crone as Reporter
- Jane Hallaren as Gloria Preston
Reception
Roger Ebert gave the film 2 out of 4 stars and called it "a big, dumb, silly, good-hearted albatross of a comedy". He said that although the film might appeal to fans of Ritter, it didn't appeal to him.[1]
See also
- Kick-Ass, a 2010 action comedy with a similar premise.
- Vigilante film
References
- ^ a b Ebert, Roger (February 13, 1980). "Hero at Large". Rogerebert.com.
External links
- Hero at Large at IMDb
- Hero at Large at AllMovie
- Hero at Large at Rotten Tomatoes
- Hero at Large at Box Office Mojo
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