UPC 097360156744

The second of Zucker-Abraham-Zucker's theatrical-feature spoofs , Top Secret! lampoons practically every film genre. Specifically, however, this is a hybrid of an "Elvis" movie and a World War II "underground resistance" thriller. In his film debut, Val Kilmer plays Nick Rivers, a Presley-like American rock idol sent behind the Iron Curtain on a goodwill tour. Before long, he is involved in a complex espionage scheme thanks to beautiful Lucy Gutteridge, the daughter of a scientist held captive by the Communists. Also essential to the action is flamboyant resistance leader Christopher Villiers, who behaves like Victor Mature in Betrayed and talks like James Mason. Adhering to Z-A-Z's cheerful disregard for people, places and events, the East Germans are depicted as Nazis, while the Underground is comprised of Frenchmen. The plot is mainly an excuse for the Z-A-Z team's fondness for joke-a-minute lampoonery, skewering cinematic targets ranging from The Blue Lagoon to The Wizard of Oz . As in Z-A-Z's other efforts, Top Secret! scores its biggest yocks when invoking cliches that we never realized were cliches-and falls on its face whenever attempting a too-obvious gag . Everyone has his or her favorite bits in this film: our faves include the resistance fighter named Deja Vu , Kilmer's horrible nightmare while being tortured , the army-booted cow, the sensitive Pinto, and the East German National Anthem, sung to the tune of the Shorewood High School marching song. But let's say no more: comedy of this nature is designed to be seen, not written or read about.