jkstep-891-505209 Come on Hanks, Candy, and the entire cast couldn't have been picked better than they were to represent America and the Communists from 1962. The story includes greed, charity, companionship, technology and true love. Get with it this is a GREAT Flick that deserves a higher rating that shows it all and includes great comedic writing on top! It is important for everyone to see the workings of capitalism through drugs and get a handle on where it is sourced from and where the profits eventually end up. Here Hanks takes a snobbish wealthy no good selfish student whose life was going no where through gambling debts and re- routes his talents for making friends and creates a whole new life. It's a clean humorous yet still interesting view on America in the early 60's and yet it's closer to reality than some people are probably going to accept. Let's not forget John Candy once again in a role that really suited him in every possible aspect in culture and time.

vincentlynch-moonoi Having visited Thailand many times since the year after this film was made, and having lived there, one of the first things I wanted to see was whether or not it was filmed in Thailand. From the scene where the plane lands in Bangkok -- Bangkok is not surrounded by mountains, but rather sits on a huge plain -- to the scenes in the jungle (which just don't look right)...the film is clearly not filmed in Thailand. Apparently it was filmed in Mexico. Which is alright...just sayin'. On the other hand, many of the villagers were actually Thai people, and you will hear some authentic Thai language in the film. However, the Thai with the largest speaking part...is actually of Japanese ancestry.In terms of the plot, it's okay. Just don't expect much of any reality. But it does a nice job of making retro fun. Chase scenes can be very funny...can be. And why couldn't the movie makers realize there are differences between Asian ethic groups, rather than mixing Thai and Chinese and Japanese stereotypes. Really, this is amateur hour.In terms of the acting. Well, this was that period of time when Tom Hanks was beginning to be a box office draw, but before he learned what real acting was. And in terms of John Candy, at this point in his career, his acting consisted of being a buffoon. He does it well. The remainder of the cast is okay. But this is pretty light fair, so don't expect much.In fact, that's the key to enjoying this film. Just sit back and prepare to laugh a bit. There's nothing intellectual about it.

theowinthrop VOLUNTEERS was the second and last time Tom Hanks was teamed with one of the few television based comedians who could match him as a film actor: John Candy. They had been brothers in SPLASH, and VOLUNTEERS makes them fellow members of the Peace Corps. They proved to have good chemistry again here - but no follow-up film showed up for them after this. Pity, but maybe just as well as they each would make their own line of comic masterpieces.VOLUNTEERS is also one of the first times that Hanks plays a somewhat unlikeable (if charming) type. Lawrence Osborne IV is a patrician who has just gone through four years at Yale University. We never know what his major was, but he certainly has enjoyed extra-curriculum activities (such as dating the valedictorian of Smith College), and winning multi-thousand dollar poker matches with vicious opponents. But Lawrence owes a gambling hall owner (Alan Arbus) $14,000.00, and decides to bet it all double or nothing on the outcome of a basketball championship the next day (his graduation date from Yale). He is listening to the game on a radio (while missing the speech by guest speaker President John F. Kennedy) at the ceremony - and hears his bet going down the tubes. That night he asks his father (George Plimpton) for the $28,000. But the senior Osborne actually is very realistic - he feels that being beaten and injured for such a stupid bet is just what Lawrence needs, and he refuses to pay the bet. Chased by Arbus's bouncer/collector (Ji-Tu Cumbuku, as a no-nonsense collector who will go as far as possible to get Lawrence, whom he hates), Lawrence hies to New York's Idlewild Airport, and manages to get onto a plane as a member of the Peace Corps group going to Thailand.Lawrence meets Beth Wexler (Rita Wilson - now Mrs. Hanks in real life), a New York medical student, and Tom Tuttle from Tacoma, Washington (Candy) who is an intensive student of management psychiatry. Candy is also an engineer. When they are taken to a village for their service by helicopter operator John Reynolds (Tim Thompson) they find they are assigned to build a bridge connecting this village with the other shore. Soon it turns out that others are interested in that bridge: the local war lord and opium dealer (Chumg Mee - Ernest Harada) and the local Communists insurgents. While Lawrence tries to get back home (and finds his wise father has made it impossible for him to do so), he finds that he has annoyed Beth (who is more impressed by Reynolds), and he is dealing with the over-active and inept Tuttle. But soon Tuttle vanishes into the jungle (and into the hands of the Communists) while Lawrence finds he needs to rely on a smart local villager (Gedde Wantanabe) which is good because both men are threatened by the war lord to get that bridge built or else. What follows is a delight, as Lawrence does build the bridge, and then realizes (much as Col. Nicholson does at the end of THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI) that it was a dreadful mistake, and the poor villagers are in danger from two evil groups as a result.Hanks never loses his charm and insouciance, even as he grows into a responsible local leader. Candy is a wonder as an would-be world saver, an over-achiever who insults people as he tries to show he has a heart. Wilson is good explaining how she wants to help the villagers, speaking in Thai - but telling how she wants to kill them! Wantanabe is constantly finding his warnings and realistic view of the situation is ignored and he gets injured as a result (or even sexually threatened by a trio of sumo-wrestler guards of the War Lord). And Thompson has only one really close friend - his knife. He makes George Macready's relationship with his sword stick in GILDA look matter-of-fact in comparison. Finally there is a definite love affair with David Lean in this film. Besides the similarities with THE RIVER KWAI (including Candy whistling "Col. Bogie's March" and saying, "What have I done!") there is the concluding shot of Hanks (having brought prosperity to the village) being cheered by the people with cries of "Lawrence, Lawrence!". Wonderful comedy here.

freeholder John Candy really shines in this classic. Don't believe the nay-sayers. This is a very funny movie. Besides, Tom Hanks met his wife while filming this picture (she co-stars). If you like Tom Hanks and John Candy, you are sure to enjoy this movie. Rent it or buy it. I watch it often.It is "R" rated, but mostly for language I think, as there is just one very brief scene of partial nudity. It is not nearly as bad as many present-day movies rated "R", and I would not hesitate to have my grandchildren (11 and 13) watch it.Bill