My Name Is Bruce

Built around one of the few real B-movie icons left in Hollywood, the low-budget indie My Name Is Bruce, directed by and starring Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead series), finds the popular leading B-man shucking his usual self-deprecating persona to play himself as a boozy, egotistical, womanizing ham actor. Recycling an old premise (previously used effectively in Galaxy Quest), the story finds an adoring fan (Taylor Sharpe)—who is convinced that his idol must also be an effective demon-fighter off-screen—tricking Bruce into battling the invincible Guan-Di, a Chinese god of war. Of course, Campbell reveals himself to be a cringing coward, channeling the early Bob Hope when rattling off one-liners like, “You don't know what fear is—you've never worked with Sam Raimi.” Some of the gags work pretty well, but despite Campbell's game efforts in front of and behind the camera, Mark Verheiden's script is ultimately too hit and miss. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director/star Bruce Campbell and producer Mike Richardson, the hour-long “making-of” featurette “Heart of Dorkness,” “Beyond Inside the Cave: The Making of Cavealien 2” on the movie within a movie (8 min.), “Bruce On…” segments featuring Campbell (4 min.), “The Hard Truth: News from Hollywood” featurette (4 min.), the featurettes “Kif's Korner” (3 min.) and “Awkward Moments with Kif” with executive producer Craig Sanborn, the brief gag segment “Love Birds,” stills galleries, Easter eggs, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an underwhelming film.] (E. Hulse)