Coneheads was one of the few films created from a Saturday Night Live sketch that actually “got over” with the crowds. While it wasn’t a tremendous success at the box office [21 million total] it could be considered the box office equivalent of the Titanic when compared to other SNL film ventures. [Exception – Wayne’s World]

Personally, I love the film. It’s one of only a few movies that you can sit down, start watching and just enjoy it. Few films can boast that type of entertainment; most have scenes that drone on or pasts that are just plain filler. Sure, I will be the first to admit that Coneheads is far from a five star film, but it has its own little charm to it.

The Plot

Sent on a mission to take over Earth, Beldar and Prymatt find themselves stranded on the very planet they were ordered to overthrow. They couldn’t have picked a better place to land – New York. Things on Earth were a far cry from their home planet of Remulak but they managed to matriculate into the suburbs and eek out an existence like everyone else.

You would think that aliens would stick out like a sore thumb in suburbia, but not in Coneheads. Neighbors Lisa and Larry Farber [Lisa Jane Persky and Jason Alexander] help to create the setting that Beldar, Prymatt and Connie are nothing more than your average middle class family.

To be perfectly honest, the bulk of the plot is thin. If you are watching this for the first time, you’ll be able to guess what’s going to happen about 90% of the time. Even so, there is something about a man that can clean spark plugs with his mouth, a wife than can cook for an army and lets not even talk about her vacuuming skills [get your heads out of the gutter]. It’s the small little things that make this film click. Unlike most alien films where the characters point a finger and set things on fire – these characters are more than happy to blend in with the humans until they are saved.

One of my favorite parts of the film is seeing Connie Conehead grow up through a series of home movies set to the tune of Paul Simon’s Kodachrome. This type of leap allows the film to progress without feeling like you’ve missed anything or that it’s advanced 10 years in the blink of an eye.


The Incredible Cast

Beldar Conehead a/k/a Mr. DeCicco
Dan Aykroyd
[Tommy Boy, Ghostbusters, Dragnet]

With his mechanical movements and affinity for electronics, Beldar was forced to adapt to the way of the blunt skulls. Capped teeth, consumptions of mass quantities of charred animal flesh and taking a human name were just the begging of the process. Starting out as a lowly repairman at a second hand appliance store that doubles as a “pawn shop” he acquired a new identity with the help of his employer Otto [Sinbad]. He wasn’t much of a lover but he sure managed to get a female student all revved up [obvious pun]. Even if he was from outer space, he was a loving husband, caring father and one hell of a next door neighbor. Aykroyd was superb in this role, more over than his acting abilities were the small gestures and facial expressions that brought this character to life.

Prymatt Conehead a/k/a Mrs. DeCicco
Jane Curtain
[Kate & Allie television, Antz voice]

Becoming a human housewife was a real chore [again, obvious pun] for Prymatt. She conceived her baby cone while stranded on earth and tried to instill in Connie all the values she received on Remulak. Prymatt manages to keep her cone intact through the birth of her daughter, thoughts that her husband is interested in a human, daily activities and the big ‘phone call’ from Marlax. Much like Aykroyd, she did a fantastic job with the acting – especially the slightly animated, doe eyed reactions. Mibbbbbs!

Connie Conehead
Michelle Burke
[Dazed & Confused, Major League II, Cosa Nostra]

Truth be told, there were three actresses that played Connie. The youngest was played by Aykroyd’s daughter Danielle while Nicolette Harnish was featured as the preteen Connie. Connie never saw herself as different, which is pretty amazing when you consider she’s bald and has a huge cone. Even so, she manages to find a love interest with Ronnie [Chris Farley]. Proving that chicks can down an entire Subway sandwich in a single gulp, her character represented the best of both worlds. When the time comes to leave for Remulak all she wants is a few more minutes with her greasy mechanic. And you thought you had issues when you were a teenager?

The Bad Guys

Gorman Seedling
Michael McKean

Being the head of an Immigration and Naturalization Service division can’t be easy. Doubly hard is the fact that ever lead you have on an illegal alien goes cold right before the big bust. With ever mounting pressure on him, Seedling presses forward amidst laugher from his peers to find, arrest and bring to justice the man known as Ronald DeCicco. You don’t really see him doing anything else in this film other than acting as a human bloodhound. A character you love to hate, McKean plays Seedling with passion.

Ira Turnbull
David Spade

Following in Seedlings footsteps, Turnbull’s character is utterly annoying. Looking to get ahead any way he can, he doesn’t think twice when taking the credit for others information, findings or accomplishments. A lowly INS field agent, he is looking for a bigger pay off and cracking the DeCicco case is just the ticket*. Spade doesn’t get much of a chance to spread his wings in this film which is sad since he is capable of so much more than playing third fiddle in a three piece band.

Honorable Mention

Ronnie
Chris Farley
[Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, Beverley Hills Ninja]

Farley was the perfect pick for the role of Ronnie. He added so much to the film as Connie’s boyfriend though his presentation, facial expressions and mannerisms. Much like his character in Tommy Boy, his innocence and charm helped to fill out his character even though he was in a limited number of scenes.

Who Would Love This

Don’t think you have to be a fan of the Saturday Night Live routine in order to like this. While the episodes are extremely humorous, they lack the exceptional make up, developed plot [I know, that is a bit of a stretch] and the enormous cast of characters. Since I love this film, I might be slightly biased when it comes to giving it an honest rating. The plot does have some holes in it, but the performances by the cast members smoothes it over. If you liked My Stepmother Is An Alien, The Addams Family and Men In Black, this film might be worth checking out.

The Bottom Line

I love this movie so much I purchased the VHS version about a year ago and almost wore it out. When I saw the DVD on sale at Target [where else] I had to pick it up. The DVD offers some extra scenes but not many. The DVD is broke up into 13 chapters that you can scan through however my DVD player has some issues reading one of the chapters. I returned one copy so far and the replacement still skips over the fifth chapter if I am scanning forward using the “next” feature. I was hoping to get some deleted scene, bloopers or out takes, alas, I my hopes were dashed. Even with the DVD issues, this still remains a favorite of mine.

Since there is no nudity, extremely limited sexual reference, mild violence and no drug use, this would be a good pick for teens. It’s about as clean cut as a film gets these days. Plus, there are so many one liners – both in English and Remulak – that you’ll find yourself saying them over and over regardless of what the other blunt skulls say. So, Coneheads gets two freaky thumbs up from me :]


Film Facts: When reading the credits Coneheads look more like a Saturday Night Live reunion than a major motion picture. Keep your eyes peeled for these stars: Garrett Morris, Adam Sandler, Laraine Newman, Tim Meadows, Kevin Nealon, Julia Sweeney Jon Lovitz.

* = Just the ticket - a cheesy reference to the Jon Lovitz character, the pathological liar.


The Stats

Release Date: July 23, 1993
Run Time: 87 minutes
Rating PG – 13 [mild violence]
Directed By: Steve Barron
Distributed By: Paramount Pictures

DVD Information

UPC 9736 3287 445
DVD Release: April 17, 2001


End Note I am sure someone will leave a comment about this if I don’t add this. The ship crashed in the New York [the harbor] but it was New Jersey where they set up residence, purchased a home and raised Connie. I will accept pity for actually knowing that fact.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older