Good movie but grossly overrated

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Blistering performances.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Feckless, laid-back and amiable Robert (the very likable Rafer Weigel) and his sarcastic, more grouchy and irritable best buddy Mark (the equally engaging Eric McCormack) are a couple of hardcore "Star Trek" fans who are both facing their 30th birthdays and the subsequent sense of maturity and responsibility turning 30 entails. Robert and Mark meet their longtime idol William Shatner, who turns out to be a complete flaky and pompous windbag. Moreover, Robert encounters and falls in love with spunky and luscious fellow science fiction buff Claire (the adorable Audie England). Director Robert Meyer Burnett, working from a bright, witty and inspired script he co-wrote with Mark A. Altman, whips up a highly charming, amusing and utterly delightful treat that's rife with knowing pop culture references (the "Logan's Run" gag is especially funny), snappy dialogue, and a lively, carefree, uplifting tone. Weigel and McCormack share a loose and appealing chemistry which makes the friendship between Robert and Mark both touching and credible. Shatner is an absolute hoot as he sends himself up with lip-smacking aplomb: Bill is first seen in a book store checking out a dirty magazine, gets slabbed in the face when he drunkenly attempts to pick up the fetching Marlena (Deborah Van Valkenburgh of "The Warriors") in a bar, and heartily belts out the funky rap tune "No Tears for Caesar" at Mark's gala 30th birthday bash. Nice supporting performances by Patrick Van Horn as the smooth, yet smarmy ladies' man Sean, Phil LaMarr as the moody Eric, Jonathan Slavin as the hopelessly geeky Dan, and Lori Lively as ravishing redhead Leila. Scott Spock's bubbly, frothy, catchy lounge score hits the spot. Charles L. Barbee's polished, sparkling cinematography likewise does the trick. Some of the picture's best and most gut-busting jokes appear in the sidesplitting ending credits. A total blast.

My wife and I like to quote (paraphrase) young Mark in the film, "Don't you understand? This is OUR movie!" If you're a Trek fan (or just a film geek in general), this movie will have a lot more resonance. But, even for the 'norms' it's still a very perceptive comedy with truly engaging lead performers. It made William Shatner (so wonderfully self-deprecating) a comic star (ala Leslie Nielson). Written from the 'inside' of fandom, it is so dense with film/classic TV/literature references that the original release DVD had a subtitle track just to keep non-geeks clued in. And if you ARE truly "one of us, one of us," then it is richly rewarding. Detractors might argue that it's too much of a 'secret handshake' film. That's not entirely invalid; but it could be argued that not every good film is meant to be instantly accessible (SOLARIS, ALPHAVILLE, etc.). Also, it is probably the best 'turning-30' film next to LOGAN'S RUN (which is referenced in a wickedly funny dream sequence). And to address those who complain about the film's use of 'pretty people' to play geeks, here's breaking news; some geeks ARE good looking! And it's a movie; MOST movies use good-looking people! And this cast happened to be very talented and easily conveyed the passion for geek culture that saturates the script (a deft blend of SWINGERS and TREKKIES, with a bit of MY FAVORITE YEAR tossed in). Also refreshing is an indie film that doesn't wallow in death, drugs or racial/sexual intolerance. The film's lighthearted tone is very infectious. And even in the darker scenes (Rob/Claire's breakup, Mark/Rob's 'lover's spat') the humor is always there. For the real film geeks (and if you're on this site, reading this, well...chances are good you KNOW the secret handshake), FREE ENTERPRISE is a like a great, sprawling party at the geek clubhouse; and (almost) everyone's invited. Oh, and the Shatner rap of JULIUS CAESAR has to be seen to be believed (consider yourself warned). Thanks to both real Mark and Rob (Altman and Meyer Burnett, respectively) and the ersatz Mark and Rob(Eric MacCormack and Rafer Weigel). "The human(or, in this case, geek) adventure is just beginning!"

Over all this film is OK. I wish it were better, but you can't always get what you wish for.PLOT: While there are various sub-plots running around inside this film, I think I can safely say the true main plot is your traditional: "Boy Meets Girl"I didn't have high hopes for Free Enterprise, so I was happily amused with it. There were a few funny scenes and the ending is very entertaining. Acting is over all fair to good, direction seems fine. I'd say the main plot is the weakest point of this movie. The high points by far are the Shatner scenes.If not for Shatner, this movie would stink.Writing & Plot 5/10 Acting & Direction 7/10 Shatner 10+/10

I could see where they were trying to go with this, but the delivery was just embarrassingly bad at times. I am assuming budgetary constraints stopped them from getting decent actors and prevented re-takes of scenes that screamed for it. I laughed out loud at times but mostly because I was trying so hard to like it.The acting was really awful. Exceptions were the leads: McCormack, England, Weigel and Shatner (in that order). Everyone else was a D acting job. Worth watching only if you're an old Trek fan or McCormack fan. I have to say I was impressed after knowing him only from Will & Grace to see the range of his talent. Gotta love the Logan's Run references throughout the movie too!