Film review - Mac and Me (1988)


Welcome to somewhere in California!  Where a mother and her three kids, including wheelchair-bound Eric, are crossing the country to move in to their new home.  They're a picture of all-American 1980's with a love for Coca-Cola and McDonalds.  Meanwhile some NASA-type lab has happened to nab a family of aliens from their planet via a vacuum system.  A subsequent explosion leads to their escape, but the youngest alien is separated from his parents and sister in the commotion.

Taking solace in the new house, Eric befriends what he dubs the 'mysterious alien creature' (Mac) after the latter saves him from drowning, in a now-infamous moment where Eric rolls uncontrollably towards a cliff and bombs at great height in to a river.
In turn Eric takes steps with to prevent Mac from being captured by the FBI, with a view to return him to his own parents, by disguising him in awful teddy bear costumes amidst the longest fast food commercial in history - complete with dance sequences!

Budgeted at $13m but only drawing half at the box office, some might say that Mac and Me is a rip-off of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982) - which Steven Spielberg amazingly made for $3m less.  Going by some of the special effects used, you wouldn't know it.  Not only does the script contain more plot holes than a voodoo doll but the usage of blue screen in too obvious in occasion, whereas the soundtrack plays tunes that don't marry up either musically or lyrically with the on-screen context.

What sticks out like a sore thumb more so than the costumes of the poor sods playing the aliens is the smattering of product placements featuring the aforementioned sugary treats:  not only is Coke apparently the character's favourite soft drink but it acts like a healing medicine for the dying aliens whilst they waste away outside their homeland.  Even the Mac name can't be too much of a coincidence when you've got Big Macs on offer under the famous yellow arches!

The film deserves credit for focusing on young Eric as the lead character, thus raising some disability awareness as the actor (Jade Calegory) has Spina Bifida in real life.  It does retain an 80's charm as a nostalgia piece, however without any action occuring becomes a chore to watch.  It almost relies on moments of entertainment, be they intentional or otherwise, to get the audience through it - like Ronald McDonald's razzie-winning cameo or Jennifer Aniston's blink-and-you'll-miss extra appearance.

At a time when the sub-genre of boy meets space creature was saturating the market, Mac and Me attempted to get on board.  For years, films like Batteries Not Included, Flight Of The Navigator and obviously E.T. would make the obligatory bank holiday telly listings, but this movie hasn't stood the same test of time.  Even for a fantasy feature, the realms of believability are stretched.  Worth the watch if not seen before but ignore the hinted sequel before the end credits!....

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