1. William Burke Burke and Hare
Burke and Hare was just a colossal disappointment from start to finish, and thats a shame. I would have dearly loved it if John Landis returned to form for this effort, and he appeared to have all the parts he needed. There was a credible story the story of two Edinburgh body-snatchers who committed one of the most notorious murder sprees in the 19th century and credible actors in Pegg, Andy Serkis and Isla Fisher. Theres even cameos from Paul Whitehouse and Tim Curry, for god's sake. Yet despite all this, the finished product was ust terrible and unfunny. It doesnt help that Peggs role is schizophrenic at best. As I mentioned in the earlier appraisal of Run Fatboy Run, the actors likeability means you cant really stick him in a villainous role, and this can causes problems when his characters perform dickish actions; Much like David Schwimmers debut, Burke and Hare falls into this trap, and in a massive way. The problem is that its very difficult to make a mass-murderer likeable, and no amount of slapstick was going to change the creeping unease surrounding this spectacle. Put Pegg in the right role and he can knock It out the park, but in this, he wasnt even in the park the set-up of the film is conspiring against him, and when the screenplay itself is this bad then theres really nothing he can do. Agree or disagree? Can you think of any else? Feel free to comment!