In 1986, Paul Hogan rocked the film world, coming out of nowhere in the Australian independent comedy "Crocodile Dundee". Shrewdly marketed to international audiences, the film became a blockbuster worldwide and catapulted Hogan to major stardom overnight. He had already been a very popular personality Down Under but his genial comedic skills were largely unknown to most of the world. Hogan found himself to (briefly) be the toast of the film industry as well as an unofficial goodwill ambassador for his native country. Two years later, a sequel to the film would also be deemed a major success but by the time a third Dundee movie was released in 2001, the bloom was off the rose. Hogan didn't have viable follow-up plans for a post-Dundee film career that would appeal to international audiences, even while he has remained revered in Australia. Thus, it must have seemed like a good idea to revisit Hogan and his Dundee persona in a mockumentary-style film that would show the world what he has been up to in recent years. The result is "The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee", directed by Dean Murphy and co-written by Murphy and Robert Mond.
The film presents Hogan living a very comfortable lifestyle in Hollywood, sharing his home with his party boy son (Jacob Elordi), when he is invited to a studio meeting to discuss making another sequel to "Crocodile Dundee". Hogan is old school, set in his ways and out of step with contemporary society. During the pitch meeting with the studio executives, Hogan is shocked to find they intend to cast Will Smith as his biological son. When he tries to point out that this would be an absurdity, he is quickly labeled a racist and his name is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. The film follows the beleaguered Hogan as his innocent statements and good deeds are misconstrued and his reputation continues to suffer, endangering a possible knighthood from the Queen (who is unnecessarily referred to as "The Queen of England") The meandering script never has a central focus, just unconnected vignettes peppered by cameos from well-known stars. Some of them are moderately funny. Chevy Chase appears a couple of times and the joke is that he is widely beloved by his peers in the entertainment industry, when, in fact, his real-life reputation is somewhat less than sterling. Olivia Newton-John convinces Hogan to fill in at the last minute for John Travolta for a "Grease" reunion charity benefit with predictably disastrous results. Wayne Knight becomes an uninvited house guest of Hogan's as he manically tries to hide from his wife. Most amusing is a financially-strapped John Cleese who is making ends meet as an Uber driver without a license. But Hogan'simage as a nonplussed personality results in his performance being virtually lifeless. One can appreciate his ability to indulge in self-deprecating humor and one wishes certain prominent political figures might possess the same attribute. However, the film is largely a misfire that seems to have been improvised rather than scripted. The tossed salad scenario drifts between sight gags and mushy sentimentalism as Hogan connects on Facetime with his granddaughter in Oz. A particularly unfunny aspect is a plot device that sees him befriend a comically inept paparazzi. Director Dean Murphy doesn't help by encouraging his cast to play to the rafters and overact at every turn.
One hates to be a grump about a Paul Hogan comeback movie, but the movie squanders its comedic possibilities as we observe Hogan treading and plodding the streets of L.A. (some of which is doubled by location shooting in Melbourne) and encountering the requisite weirdos. There are some (almost) saving graces. While the film remains refreshingly free of smutty humor and overt political statements, it does take a couple of pot shots at contemporary society, mostly aimed at a "woke" Hollywood culture that is all-to-eager to crucify anyone who doesn't meet its standards of inclusiveness. There are also some humorous observations about the gullibility of the public to believe all manner of absurdities: a portly street impersonator of Crocodile Dundee is deemed to be more believable than Hogan, who tries to convince him that his recitation of a key line of the film's dialogue is being misquoted. Chevy Chase has convinced the public that he is an Oscar winner, despite Hogan's attempts to correct the record.The point being that if a lie is told often and sincerely enough, vast numbers of people will believe it even in the face of opposing facts, an observation that certainly is especially relevant today.
The Lionsgate DVD offers a crisp, clear transfer and includes a very brief "behind the scenes" featurette and a trailer. The film bypassed theaters due to the virus epidemic and is also available for viewing on Amazon Prime. Stay through the end credits because you'll catch a glimpse of Hogan in his Dundee attire. It only makes you wonder why he didn't simply choose to return as the legendary character in another sequel. It would have
been interesting to see his take as an 80 year-old screen hero.