The Onion Movie
| The Onion Movie | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Tom Kuntz Mike Maguire |
| Written by | Todd Hanson Robert D. Siegel |
| Produced by | David Zucker |
| Starring | Len Cariou Steven Seagal Ken Takemoto Daniel Chacón Don McManus Kate Fuglei Abigail Mavity Ahmed Ahmed |
| Cinematography | Maryse Alberti Neil Shapiro |
| Edited by | Frederick Wardell |
| Music by | Asche & Spencer |
Production companies | Regency Enterprises 3 Arts Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Onion Movie is a comedy film written by The Onion writers Robert D. Siegel and Todd Hanson along with the Chicago-based writing staff of the paper. It was filmed in 2003 and released on June 3, 2008 direct-to-video.
Plot
The plot revolves around a fictitious Onion television news anchorman, Norm Archer (Len Cariou), who is forced to face the inevitability of a corporate takeover by the Onions perennial fictitious multinational, Global Tetrahedron. Onion news is described as "fair and balanced" in the context of the film. The plot serves as a springboard for various comedy sketches featuring The Onion's satirical humor. Vignettes include parodies of music videos reminiscent of Britney Spears' work, and Steven Seagal appearing as a parody of the type of action hero he normally portrays. The film is interrupted (fictitiously) by film reviewers and commentators weighing in on the progress of the film, with one commentator preparing to stage an immediate walkout of all African American audience members unless a positive portrayal of an African American is inserted into the film.
Production
In 2003, New Regency Productions and Fox Searchlight Pictures were on board to produce and release a movie written by The Onion staff. Tentatively titled The Untitled Onion Movie, it was to be directed by music video director Tom Kuntz and Mike Maguire and written by then Onion editor Robert Siegel and writer Todd Hanson with the rest of the Onion staff. After delays and previews to test audiences, the film was shelved and eventually dropped by Fox. New Regency Productions continued on with project.
In a March 15, 2007 interview, Scott Aukerman said that the Onion movie was at a "dead standstill".[1] Within two weeks, the listing for The Untitled Onion Movie had disappeared.[citation needed] Additionally, Onion, Inc. President at the time, Sean Mills, indicated The Onion was no longer associated with the film project.[2][3][dead link] In August 2007, the IMDb listing was restored.
In November 2007, then-President Sean Mills told Wikinews that the movie was a dead project.[4] Although Fox Searchlight had an option to release it on DVD, there was no immediate announcement of plans to do so. Eventually, the trailer appeared on the DVD for The Darjeeling Limited.[5] The trailer also appeared on the Hitman, Charlie Bartlett and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem DVDs.[6]
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released The Onion Movie DVD on June 3, 2008.[7][dead link]
The UK release's packaging styles the film News Movie, aka The Onion Movie.
Critical reception
The film has received mixed reviews from critics. IMDb currently gives the film a rating of 6.2/10,[8] while Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a rating of 33%.[9]
References
- ^ "The Fun Bunch: Do you believe in inevitabilities!?: 2007 That Other Paper Article".
- ^ Learmonth, Michael (March 26, 2007). "Onion launching video newscast: March 26, 2007 Variety Article".
- ^ "20 Movies Not Coming Soon to a Theater Near You".
- ^ The Onion: An interview with 'America's Finest News Source'
- ^ Shankbone, David, "An interview with The Onion" Wikinews, November 24, 2007.
- ^ Peter Kafka (March 2, 2008). "The Onion Movie - Debuting At A DVD Player Near You - Silicon Alley Insider". Alleyinsider.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|3=(help); Text "399" ignored (help); Text "Mar. 2, 2008, 1:51 PM" ignored (help) - ^ Onion Movie, The UNRATED DVD: Steven Seagal (Marked for Death), Len Cariou (1408), Daniel Dae Kim (TV s Lost)[dead link]
- ^ The Onion Movie at IMDb
- ^ "The Onion Movie". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 13, 2012.