The 'Burbs

Name: The 'Burbs
Director: Joe Dante
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Comedy
Released: February 17, 1989
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 44
Cast: Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Tom Hanks

1989

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critics

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Universal acclaim based on 5 Ratings

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The Burbs

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 17, 1989

Starring: Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Tom Hanks

Summary: An overstressed suburbanite and his fellow neighbors are convinced that the new family on the block are part of a murderous Satanic cult.

Director: Joe Dante

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 101 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Chicago Tribune - Dave Kehr

Jun 29, 2017

Though The burbs is hardly an actor's film, Hanks continues to demonstrate the ease and maturity that has been his since Big, while Dern, Ducommun and Feldman lend broad but effective support. Read full review

Empire - Kim Newman

Jun 29, 2017

One of Tom Hanks' overlooked performances because this bizarre thriller-comedy ends so strangely but there's much to like here. Read full review

Variety - Staff (Not Credited)

Jun 29, 2017

Director Joe Dante funnels his decidedly cracked view of suburban life through dark humour in The ‘Burbs. Hanks does a fine impersonation of a regular guy on the verge of a nervous breakdown, while Dern adds another memorable psychotic to his resume. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

Jun 29, 2017

The 'Burbs tries to position itself somewhere between Beetlejuice and The Twilight Zone, but it lacks the dementia of the first and the wicked intelligence of the second and turns instead into a long shaggy dog story. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Rick Groen

Jun 29, 2017

A more inspired director might have salvaged something else, but Dante's point-of-view camera and consciously quirky angles just don't cut it. His horror-genre shots are stylized but not stylish, a by-the-numbers parody without any redeeming individuality. [17 Feb 1989]

USA Today - Mike Clark

Jun 29, 2017

'Burbs is a messy mix of Gremlins, Neighbors, Rear Window and Arsenic and Old Lace. [17 Feb 1989, p.6D]

Tampa Bay Times - Hal Lipper

Jun 29, 2017

Dante's movie is so helter-skelter, that he can't generate the uncomfortable mood the moment requires. It's the balloon principle. The 'Burbs is so full of hot air it simply blows up in its own face. [17 Feb 1989, p.6]

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User Reviews

evokings

Jan 9, 2018

I remember watching this movie at least a dozen times, the way it was set it one area was quite masterfully executed, you never leave the neighborhood, which helps keep your attention focused on the plot, and the quality of the actors, and the comedy, I know people did not like this movieI remember watching this movie at least a dozen times, the way it was set it one area was quite masterfully executed, you never leave the neighborhood, which helps keep your attention focused on the plot, and the quality of the actors, and the comedy, I know people did not like this movie back when it came out, but I loved it, the music was masterfully put together and unforgettable, the characters are introduced and you immediately feel like your part of the neighborhood, and you are watching the story unfold, the ending was sort of shocking, and there are many funny moments in the movie, and I like the dynamic that the actors have working off of each other in many of the comedic situations.… Expand

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