I’m all for films with messages about acceptance, but utilizing an oversized talking duck isn’t the way to approach the matter. There’s a difference between a child feeling like an outcast for being small or liking unpopular things and a giant duck that walks around in a diaper. As a former child outcast, the message I got from this film was that, if you’re not liked, you’re a giant duck in a diaper. I take offense at that (and consider it a costume idea for Halloween).
Maybe the message would come across better if Baby Huey was actually looked down upon. Sure, his appearance frightens certain adults in town, but he instantly garners the love of the children. He’s befriended by Nick (Michael Argarno), who found him after his giant egg fell off the back of a truck and hatched. Why isn’t there a story on why a giant duck egg was in a truck? Where were they taking the giant egg? That’s a much better story than what follows!
Anyway, Nick is an outcast because he’s not good at anything. Mind you, we never see anybody making fun of him and he seems happy. He’s just too afraid of failure to attempt anything. This is why his parents (David Leisure & Maureen McCormick aka Marsha Brady) allow him to keep Huey, as they feel a giant duck that’s not afraid to take chances (such as playing baseball) will encourage their son to be more outgoing. You try figuring that out.
Since giant talking ducks are peculiar creatures, Huey (who is actually named after the sound he constantly makes) catches the attention of two villains. The first is Professor von Klupp (Harvey Korman), who’s described as a mad scientist, but he only seems to want to use Huey for profit. Which is the same reason P.T. Wynnsocki (Joseph Bologna) wants him. He’s been looking for the next hot animal act for his Las Vegas show (not like that, you sick freaks). His partner, Bernie (David L. Lander aka Squiggy), has been striking out lately, trying to get tricks out of a lazy dog and a turtle. How are these two successful?
When Huey is widely avoiding the professor and the promoter, he’s wandering around town causing damage. His appearance distracts drivers and causes accidents, he destroys school property and tears apart Nick’s house. To be fair, he’s a baby and doesn’t know any better. Though he does know how to talk almost instantly, which is never explained. Most of the blame goes to Nick’s parents, who are dumber than a bag of rocks. They think it’s a good idea to have a giant duck sleep on the top bunk. It’s no surprise the bed broke. If this wasn’t rated G, poor little Nick would’ve been crushed!
As for all of the other damage, it’s caused by accidents. Huey doesn’t know his own strength and he’s goaded into some of them. For instance, he’s encouraged to sing and dance in music class. When he goes to play the piano like the teacher, he breaks it. Not really his fault, but the faculty for allowing him into the school in the first place. It was actually the principal who told him to get to class, then asked what’s wrong with the world when Huey destroyed the school. Maybe it’s you, Principal Dumbass.
I wish I could make fun of this film, but it’s hard to. There’s not much to laugh at. It’s a generic family film made more piquing (depending on your outlook) by the appearance of a live-action Baby Huey (brought to life via a rather creepy costume) and set during Easter. This is haphazardly brought into the story when the promoter steals the school’s Easter eggs and frames Huey. That’s right, a talking duck gets framed for stealing. Do I really need to say anything more about this film?
Well, I do have one more thing to say. For those of you who are wildly successful on current television programming, this may be what you have to look forward to in ten to twenty years. Just ask Maureen McCormick & David L. Lander. Happy Easter!
Final Rating: F