FLUBBER (1997) **1/2 Fred MacMurray was so definitive, and great, as The Absent Minded Professor that only a lunatic or desperado would even consider a remake. Thank goodness the world is inhabited by a Robin Williams. Robin reminds us that absent minded brilliance is merely a representative characteristic of the scientific genius, rather than the hallmark of a homogenous genre. There will always be as many kinds of absent minded professors as there are such of the same, and for each we must be grateful. For most, but I necessarily digress. I'm not saying that Robin steals the role from Fred, I'm just saying that they're both players in an admirable league. Puppy dogs of people, magicians among men. And very nice. Some of the stuff about sentimentalism and machines leaves me a little amused in an unintended way, but I also remember how I felt when I sold my '75 Camaro. Machines don't have emotions, no, probably, unless the animists are right, but they sure can set 'em off. So movies can too. This one will put you in touch with some good stuff, and your young ones there along with you, and you there together. Even more magic than flubber, if you ask me.
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