Any Which Way You Can

I love Clint Eastwood great actor these orangutans movies are the best

Yes, yes, I know...an orangutan is not a monkey...as I stated in my review of the first film, Every Which Way But Loose (1978), `Clint and his orangutan' just doesn't have the same zing...anyway, the gang from the immensely popular first film is back (well, nearly the whole gang, as the original orangutan who appeared as Clyde was replaced in this one with a younger ape), helmed by, in his directorial debut, Buddy Van Horn, who would later direct Clint Eastwood in two more films, The Dead Pool (1988), and Pink Cadillac (1989), before returning to what appears to be his true calling in performing and coordinating stunts. Returning with Eastwood is Sondra Locke (The Gauntlet), Geoffrey Lewis (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot), Ruth Gordon (Harold and Maude), and John Quade (Rancho Deluxe) as Cholla, leader of the Black Widows motorcycle gang. Also appearing is B movie veteran (look it up, he's been in like 150 films, many you probably never heard of) William Smith (Conan the Barbarian) and Harry Guardino (The Enforcer).It seems Philo (Eastwood) is looking to retire from bare knuckle street fighting, not because he's growing tired of it, but because, as he says, he's beginning to like the pain (a concept I won't claim to understand, but then again, there's a whole lotta things in this great wild world that confound, confuse, and perplex me, so I won't argue the point). Well, shortly after his self-imposed retirement, he's approached by some Mafioso types who are interested in having Philo go against their street fighting champion from the East, Jack Wilson, played by Smith (well, they never referred to him as `the champion', but the idea is pushed that the mob guys had to come out West to look for new action as Wilson has beaten nearly everyone worth beating in the East). They make Philo an offer he can't refuse, namely offering him a load of dough, and Philo initially accepts, but then decides against it as those around him, including Lynn (Locke), whom he made up with since the last film, are concerned that Philo may get seriously injured. Well, as you can imagine, the mob guys don't take this news too lightly, and take matters into their own hands, trying to force Philo into an East vs. West knock down, drag out, bare knuckle brawl against Wilson, whom I will say seems to live up to his reputation as a crippler. Oh yeah, the Black Widows are back, still smarting from their previous encounters with Bedoe, still looking for payback.While Any Which Way You Can didn't match the success of the first film, that's small potatoes as it still was very popular, making a boatload of dough (I've read somewhere in the neighborhood of $75 million compared to Every Which Way But Loose's $100 million dollar return...keep in mind these are late 70's, early 80's dollars we're talking about). That's good enough to give any studio executive the warm fuzzies, but is the film any good? I think so...despite changing directors and storywriters (Jeremy Joe Kronsberg, writer of the original was replaced by Stanford Sherman, who would later pen the films Krull and The Ice Pirates), the filmmakers seemed to try and keep the original formula intact, for the most part. The film obviously displays a bigger budget, but I felt a little of the intimacy was lost between some of the characters, due to the fact the cast was expanded, featuring a great deal of different, often crazy characters (even the Black Widow gang seems to have increased their membership). Did this ruin the film? Certainly not, but I missed Lewis and especially Gordon's characters not getting as much attention as they did in the first film (Gordon tended to steal most all the scenes she was in with regards to the first). Speaking of Gordon's character of Ma, we learn she actually has a real first name in that of Zenobia...seems oddly appropriate. And is it me, or do orangutans like to kiss an awful lot? Seemed Clyde was always interested in smooching on someone, even in the first film. Nothing sez lovin' like a big, wet, hairy orangutan kiss...as with the first, Any Which Way You Can features some truly wonderful songs performed by artists like Glen Campbell, Fats Domino, Johnny Duncan, and John Durrill, and also features a duet between Ray Charles and Eastwood himself, played over the opening credits. Between you and me, I sing about as good as Clint Eastwood, which is to say not very good, but good enough to get by if I had Ray Charles backing me up. I think the thing that really makes this film work, as was true of the first film, is Clint Eastwood's seemingly inherent genial, amiable, and genuine qualities that come through the character of Philo Beddoe. He appears to be a generally nice guy, content to live his life, ape by his side, never meaning no harm, that is unless you do him, or his, wrong. Seriously, if you had to pick someone to back you up in a fight, wouldn't you choose Philo (I wouldn't choose Orville, as he's certainly loyal, but can't fight for snot, but he is good for taking a bullet, so I may reconsider)?The wide screen (1.85:1) picture looks very good on this DVD, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound comes through reasonably clear. Special features include a theatrical trailer for the film, production notes, and a filmography for Eastwood (these are the exact same features as are on the DVD release of Every Which Way But Loose, except the production notes obviously differ, and are a bit skimpier here). It's too bad Warner Brothers cheaped out on including some more worthwhile features, like a cast commentary track, but I suppose that will come in a later, anniversary release (then again, probably not as Warner Brothers is notorious for their lack of extras)...oh well...it's still a great film.Cookieman108

I bought this to replace my old VHS version. I already had Every Which Way But Loose on DVD. Now I have both of them on DVD. I do recommend both of the movies.

Great movie

I love this and the Fist of the Series (Every Which way but loose). When they first came out I hated them. But I think it was I had never thought of Clint Eastwood in a comedy so I at the time thought it was a trailer trash movie. And to be hounest it is. But then again I am trailer trash myself but like good movies. You have to keep an open Mind and know that it is a comedy Drama love story all roled into one. Nothing else like it that I know of. At least not for the Era it came from.The Bikers are so funny as they are so stupid. The Women that plays MA is very funny when she says to the police who think she is talking about Clint is talking about the Ape.Then the Motel Part of the Movie with the couple and a husband called Luther.If you need to shut you mind off for about 90 Min and just have some fun and not take any of it serious it is a great movie and I watch it every year or so.If you take it serious other than just a few parts of the Movie it will destroy the Unique effect it hasas far as a simple Life in a simple town with two good Friends and the Mother and the Ape it is very good. I would never say anything bad about Sandra Loch as Clint Loved her or I think he did so I accept her. Not my Kind of person but then again I do not know what kind of person she is as I have only seen her as an actor. So what is she realy like. Maybe she is very nice. All I know is Clint is one fine manwho has done a lot for his community and I remember when a little girl was kidnaped not too far fromWhere Clint Lives. Her name was I think Christina White. Hundreds of folks tried to help find her andClint spent his own time and $ to run a comercial trying to help find her and to capture who ever kidnaped that child. If I recall I think it was Wynona Ryder that also tried to help as the littke girl liked her. What impressed me was Clint went to the trouble to help. The local Congressmen Sam Farif He said anything to try and help I did not see it. Same with Leon Peneta and George Stephinopolis. (spelling sorry ??) they did not do a thing as far as I know. Maybe they did but I did not see it but Clint sure did help. I wish he would run for President.Great Show made by a great man.PS a Group of Motorcyyclests in Sacramento Called themselvs the Black Widows as they thought it was funny also. But their main goal was to raise $ for the Local Childrens Hospital. They did pretty well at that.Enjoy it. Open your mind and just enjoy it.Forget about your troubles and your rules about Dress and behavior and just enjoy the show.Jim Davison

Loved this movie from way back. Rented and enjoyed it again.

i love the mom RIP Ruth

Pretty good

this is one of clints finest movies he's ever madefrom the movie EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE (which is one of my personal favourites)comes the most action packed sequel which i could see over and over againthe movie centres around a retired bare-knuckled fighter who is blackmailed (by having his girlfriend kidnapped) into one last fight against a well known fighter.along with his companions orville and his orangatang clydenot only does he set out to get his girlfiend back and defeat this fighter in one of the most exciting fight scenes ever madehe also has to take on the "deadly but laughable" black widow biker gang once again..who he humilliated in the first movie (they are so funny in these movies)this movie will not just make you laugh your head off..but i guarantee you will not be disappointedif only there was more sequels to this movie... :(

More from clint and clyde. Just as enjoyable as the 1st time.

Wrong dvd in cave. Disappointed as was a present

brillant

Very good