"Gus" is an engaging if typical example of the kind of goofy live-action slapstick produced by Disney in the 60s and 70s. Gary Grimes plays Andy Petrovic, a Yugoslavian farm boy who has to live in the shadow of his brother, a famed soccer player. Then people in the States get wind of the fact that Andy's pet mule Gus can kick 100-yard field goals with incredible accuracy. In short order, Andy & Gus have been brought Stateside to be the half-time show for the last place California Atoms. Of course, they soon move from half-time show to full-fledged team members, with Gus kicking the way to victory for the troubled team, who are now inspired for the very first time. Still, there are unscrupulous types who try mightily to ensure setbacks for the Atoms.
A first-rate comedy cast (Edward Asner as the team owner, Don Knotts as the coach, Bob Crane as a super-obnoxious, annoying announcer, Harold Gould as the nefarious Charles Gwynn, Dick Van Patten as his associate, etc.) provide big laughs in this formulaic but fun movie. Unsurprisingly, it's Tom Bosley & Tim Conway who often steal the show as con-men lowlifes who scheme on behalf of Gwynn. (Such as ensuring that Gus can't make it to a game, or getting him drunk, you name it.) But this being Disney fare, you're never in any doubt that the good guys will reign supreme in the end, and dole out some priceless over the top comeuppance for Bosley and Conway. To that end, the highlight of the movie is a riotous chase through a supermarket. The best parts would be when Gus would bray "laughter" at the bumbling crooks.
There are a number of familiar faces littered throughout the cast (Ronnie Schell, Titos Vandis, Liam Dunn, Kenneth Tobey, Richard Kiel, Iris Adrian), with Grimes and the pretty Louise Williams making for very likeable young protagonists. Gus himself is quite endearing, of course; several real-life football personalities (such as Dick Butkus, in a featured role) appear on screen. Crane is a hoot the way that he yammers on and on, and barely allows Johnny Unitas to get a word in edgewise.
Good entertainment, for those who enjoy solid sports comedies, animal comedies, or both.
Seven out of 10.
A first-rate comedy cast (Edward Asner as the team owner, Don Knotts as the coach, Bob Crane as a super-obnoxious, annoying announcer, Harold Gould as the nefarious Charles Gwynn, Dick Van Patten as his associate, etc.) provide big laughs in this formulaic but fun movie. Unsurprisingly, it's Tom Bosley & Tim Conway who often steal the show as con-men lowlifes who scheme on behalf of Gwynn. (Such as ensuring that Gus can't make it to a game, or getting him drunk, you name it.) But this being Disney fare, you're never in any doubt that the good guys will reign supreme in the end, and dole out some priceless over the top comeuppance for Bosley and Conway. To that end, the highlight of the movie is a riotous chase through a supermarket. The best parts would be when Gus would bray "laughter" at the bumbling crooks.
There are a number of familiar faces littered throughout the cast (Ronnie Schell, Titos Vandis, Liam Dunn, Kenneth Tobey, Richard Kiel, Iris Adrian), with Grimes and the pretty Louise Williams making for very likeable young protagonists. Gus himself is quite endearing, of course; several real-life football personalities (such as Dick Butkus, in a featured role) appear on screen. Crane is a hoot the way that he yammers on and on, and barely allows Johnny Unitas to get a word in edgewise.
Good entertainment, for those who enjoy solid sports comedies, animal comedies, or both.
Seven out of 10.