Howard the Duck (1986)
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An anthropomorphic duck from another planet finds himself stranded on Earth and must navigate human life while facing a cosmic threat.
The story
On Duckworld, an Earth-like planet inhabited by anthropomorphic ducks, Howard the Duck is propelled out of his apartment building and into outer space, landing in Cleveland, Ohio. After defeating thugs and meeting a woman named Beverly Switzler, Howard is taken to her apartment. The next day, Beverly attempts to find a way to return Howard to his world by taking him to a scientist. However, when the scientist is revealed to be only a lab assistant, Howard resigns himself to life on Earth. He takes a job as a janitor at a romance spa before eventually returning to Beverly, who plays in a band.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Howard the Duck is propelled from Duckworld into Cleveland, Ohio, where he meets Beverly Switzler. After a failed attempt to return home via a scientist named Phil Blumburtt, Howard accepts life on Earth, working as a janitor before rejoining Beverly's band, Cherry Bomb. Beverly eventually persuades Howard to become the band's manager. Phil and his colleagues reveal that a laser spectroscope accidentally transported Howard to Earth and theorize a reversal is possible. During a laboratory visit, the spectroscope malfunctions, allowing a life form from space to possess Dr. Walter Jenning. This 'Dark Overlord of the Universe' destroys a diner and kidnaps Beverly. Howard and Phil use an ultralight aircraft to track them down. At the laboratory, the Dark Overlord attempts to transfer another of his kind into Beverly's body. Howard and Phil arrive, and Howard eventually obliterates the beast using an experimental neutron disintegrator. To seal Earth from further invasions, Howard destroys the laser spectroscope, sacrificing his only means of returning to Duckworld. He remains on Earth as Beverly's manager and tour partner.
- Original title
- Howard... A New Breed of Hero
- First release year
- 1986
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Willard Huyck
- Writers
- Willard Huyck · writer; Gloria Katz · writer
- Cast and characters
- Lea Thompson · Beverly Switzler; Jeffrey Jones · Phil Blumburtt; Tim Robbins · Dr. Walter Jenning; Chip Zien · Howard the Duck; Jordan Prentice · Howard the Duck; Ed Gale · Howard the Duck
- Genres
- superhero comedy; science fiction comedy
- Themes
- identity; sacrifice; alienation
- Tone and mood
- inconsistent; humorous; suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; sci-fi; comedy; live-action; marvel
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics character Howard the Duck
- Franchise connections
- Marvel Comics
- Content notes
- sexual innuendo
- Reception
- The film was a critical and commercial failure, panned for its humor, performances, and inconsistent tone. It has been considered among the worst films ever made but has developed a cult following.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 28 · scale: 100 · review count: 21
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Award · Worst New Star · win
- Production trivia
- The film was originally intended to be an animated film.; The film's marketing campaign was seen as one of the reasons for its box office failure.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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