What Cheesy Movie Do You Actually Enjoy?

A lot will depend on how you define cheesy. I wouldn’t include an out and out parody like Airplane! or Hot Shots!, as they are mocking cheesy movies by aping their most predictable tropes. But sometimes a film comes along that knows full well it is mired in stereotypes, has a plot that a 9-year-old could have written for their homework, and is essentially preposterous in every respect, and yet still plays it almost straight and attracts a killer cast. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…

Con Air (1995)

I love this movie. Everything about it is absurd—the premise, the performances, and of course Nicolas Cage’s hair. Eric Stoltz (Morgan) and Joseph Bologna (Monaco) give notably over-the-top performances, and Cage matches them bite for bite. The cast is outrageously good for a film so bad. It is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen, and I adore every stupid moment. Con Air is pretty much perfect for every hangover comedown or rainy day when you can’t be bothered to think. Put your brain in neutral, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

Anaconda (1997)

What’s not to love about Anaconda? The low-quality CGI, Jon Voight’s over-the-top performance as the smug and sinister bad guy, and the fact that the final big bad snake’s size seemed inconsistent make for a thrilling watch. I love the face-off at the waterfall, which is very climatic. The movie could have handed in its sign-out card at that point but decided to go further, even showing our hero and heroine being used as anaconda-bait in place of monkeys. Jon, who had just been swallowed and prematurely spit out, does that weird wink with the eye that hadn’t popped out of his head. This is the highlight of the show. We have Jennifer Lopez outrun and out-climb the anaconda. Jennifer’s swimming away from it, and it is now on fire. It must have been quite painful. Wham! Ice Cube axes it in the head. The movie is well-paced, leading up to an explosive final act. It does take itself seriously but doesn’t overdo it. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t, with the main characters acknowledging Jon’s character is a madman for trying to catch an anaconda. He does it anyway, smiling smugly all the way through. “You can’t scream if you can’t breathe.”

Mostly, my reason for still loving this movie is just plain sentimentality. My siblings and I loved this movie. The movie was a success, making 270 million against a budget of 80 million in today’s money. As corny as it was, its box office performance was certainly nothing to scoff at. The success resulted in a bunch of horrible sequels that did not measure up to it, however.

Conclusion

In the era of high-budget, high-stakes blockbusters, a good cheesy movie provides a perfect escape. These films often highlight the power of the cast and the ability to create entertainment without the need for extensive special effects. Con Air and Anaconda are shining examples of how a low-budget, high-energy film can still make a significant impact, both commercially and in the hearts of viewers. So, the next time you need a good laugh or an exciting adventure, consider revisiting some of these classic cheesy movies.