I can understand how many people would find this movie a waste of 97 minutes of their lives, but I loved it. It didn't try to be a Hollywood blockbuster, which is certainly a good thing; low-budget films that aim too high only embarrass themselves. However, Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills (PWFBH) laughed at itself for being a B-Movie (or perhaps a C-movie??). Whilst the storyline is quite lame, it is gentle and amusing; an archaeologist disturbs some bones, and is cursed by a voodoo man calling himself Salvador Dali ("What can I say? I like his work"). This curse causes his wife to turn into a pterodactyl every now and then (the transformations come at night, but the mannerisms remain through the daylight hours - eg. Swallowing live carp in a supermarket). If you are a die-hard, high-budget movie fan who likes big computer-generated explosions from Star Wars or tense, engaging chase films like The Fugitive, then chances are that you won't like PWFBH. On the other hand, if you like movies for the entertainment value, and are not scared to try something different, have a look at this film. Don't take it too seriously (which isn't hard with characters called Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso), but sit back and enjoy. My personal favourite character was Sam ("Have you come....for a cocktail....with Sam?"), and favourite scene was the surreal but wonderful Blue Martini song. If I were to rate this film with a critic's eye, it would not come up too highly, but from a viewer P.O.V., it was enjoyable and, at times, hilarious, gaining about 8 or 9 out of 10. Keep an eye out for Barry Humphries as the supermarket salesman, and his famous character Dame Edna Everage in the background of the same scene.
6 Reviews
Only in a Troma movie........
Rob_Taylor25 April 2004
Warning: Spoilers
<spoilers>
Will you see a pterodactyl being chased by a stealth fighter. This one scene alone bought a tear to my eye, after the "Apache helicopter vs. Dragons" fiasco that was Reign of Fire's biggest disappointment.
But PWBH is just plain lunacy, from start to finish. Every expense is spared, especially in the special effects department. Particularly ridiculous is Brion James, who normally plays bad guys, here attempting to convince us (very badly) that he is a native American shaman.
I won't pretend this is a great movie. It really stinks! But at least it knows what it is and doesn't try to be something it isn't. At least it pokes fun at itself. My favourite line is when the group is in the desert and the scene cuts to a dinosaur charging at them. One of the characters looks appropriately horrified and says "Look out! Stock footage!"
Priceless!
Ah Troma! How we miss your madness. They don't make 'em like this anymore!
Will you see a pterodactyl being chased by a stealth fighter. This one scene alone bought a tear to my eye, after the "Apache helicopter vs. Dragons" fiasco that was Reign of Fire's biggest disappointment.
But PWBH is just plain lunacy, from start to finish. Every expense is spared, especially in the special effects department. Particularly ridiculous is Brion James, who normally plays bad guys, here attempting to convince us (very badly) that he is a native American shaman.
I won't pretend this is a great movie. It really stinks! But at least it knows what it is and doesn't try to be something it isn't. At least it pokes fun at itself. My favourite line is when the group is in the desert and the scene cuts to a dinosaur charging at them. One of the characters looks appropriately horrified and says "Look out! Stock footage!"
Priceless!
Ah Troma! How we miss your madness. They don't make 'em like this anymore!
Rated R? TROMA? This movie runs like a Disney Channel Original.
Overtheredskies21 December 2019
This movie could be ran as a Disney Channel Original with just maybe 2 minutes cut! It literally feels and plays out like a Disney Channel Movie! story wise and cinematography wise! Only thing R rated worthy was a little bit of the language, and a very small love scene...I love cheesy, bad, exploitation films etc. but I thought this film would be about a Pterodactyl Woman eating humans to survive, or atleast something more interesting than a Disney Channel Original movie...
Greatest title .... worst movie ...............
merklekranz13 January 2014
"Pterodactyl Woman From Beverly Hills" is most definitely a great title, perhaps only surpassed by "Inbred Redneck Alien Abduction". Unfortunately the film itself does not live up to the title. It is talky, repetitive, boring, and totally wastes the late Brion James, to whom the movie is dedicated. I gave it two stars instead of one, only because James deserved so much better for his last film. The stock footage dinosaurs, which are briefly seen, are more interesting than anything else in this "Troma" bomb. . Another real negative is the writer/ director, Philippe Mora, whose self indulgent style takes the one and only joke, a woman who periodically transforms into a flying dinosaur, and goes nowhere with it. Believe me, this is one to avoid. - MERK
Come for the concept, stay for the star
I_Ailurophile15 November 2022
I suppose based on the involvement of Troma and Brion James, and simply the name of the movie, I should have known exactly what to expect from the start. Still I'm rather astonished at how blithely, unapologetically inauthentic and over the top this is. 'Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills' comes off as the type of outrageous fare that might be jokingly whipped up as an overwrought parody of B-movies (perhaps along the lines of Adult Swim's live-action shows), except here borne out over almost 100 minutes. James pointedly overacts in the time he has on-screen, while the rest of the cast (not least star Beverly D'Angelo) wholeheartedly lean into the preposterousness. Yet that's the nearest this gets to any measure of sincerity, for the characters, dialogue, scene writing, narrative, plot development, effects, costume design, hair and makeup, production design, art direction, and even lighting all bear the unmistakable qualities of being deliberately blunt, forthright, ham-handed, and more than a little tongue-in-cheek. Even for those who are gleefully receptive to the utmost nonsense that cinema has to offer, this is a lot to take in from the very first moments.
Weird as it is, however, I'd be lying if I said 'Pterodactyl Woman' wasn't entertaining! Clearly the only intent was to have a silly good time, and it's definitely communicated that everyone involved was having a blast - a feeling that's passed onto the viewer. For all the bluster, there's some sharp intelligence and wit in the dialogue. Beyond the abject absurdity of the scenario, further humor follows from abundant and joyful puns, innuendo, references, and sight gags, nevermind the exaggerated acting. The special makeup, prosthetics, and costume that D'Angelo dons when transformed actually look really great. The cast, bless them, have dropped all reservations about the nature of the material and just totally let themselves go with the flow. That goes above all, of course, for D'Angelo; I've never seen her completely let loose, and embrace utter tomfoolery, the way she does here. The chief delight of this feature is simply watching her run wild with every minute, quirky imitation of avian or reptilian behavior, and I dare say that for her performance alone this is worth watching.
Enjoyable as this ludicrous romp is, it's also distinctly imperfect. While it's all in the spirit of that same zany bombast, there are absolutely points where the movie becomes entirely too self-indulgent. Some attempts at comedy linger far too long; other inclusions just aren't as funny as the filmmaker thinks they are. Novel if it's used sparingly, as director Philippe Mora illustrates a love of the fisheye lens that's overbearing and gets old fast. Much of the last 15-20 minutes tries much too hard to break the fourth wall, and tries too hard generally; to echo a line stated repeatedly, it really seems like the plot has been lost a little bit as Mora tries to shove more ideas into his screenplay than reasonably fit. And with all this having been said, 'Pterodactyl Woman' is also simply longer than it needs to be; the entertainment value has begun to wear thin well before the end credits start to roll. Even if the intent really were pure parody, this would have benefited from leaving some parts on the cutting room floor.
Still, for all its faults, I think this is much more fun than not. Too overcooked for its own good, maybe, but if one isn't readily turned away by the very premise, then chances are this will find appeal. I can only repeat that the best part of the whole film is without a doubt D'Angelo's wholehearted performance as the "were-o-dactyl," yet even beyond her contribution this is a swell bit of minor amusement. Don't feel like you need to go out of your way for it, but if you happen to come across 'Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills - and especially if you're a fan of the star - then this is a fair way to pass the time.
Weird as it is, however, I'd be lying if I said 'Pterodactyl Woman' wasn't entertaining! Clearly the only intent was to have a silly good time, and it's definitely communicated that everyone involved was having a blast - a feeling that's passed onto the viewer. For all the bluster, there's some sharp intelligence and wit in the dialogue. Beyond the abject absurdity of the scenario, further humor follows from abundant and joyful puns, innuendo, references, and sight gags, nevermind the exaggerated acting. The special makeup, prosthetics, and costume that D'Angelo dons when transformed actually look really great. The cast, bless them, have dropped all reservations about the nature of the material and just totally let themselves go with the flow. That goes above all, of course, for D'Angelo; I've never seen her completely let loose, and embrace utter tomfoolery, the way she does here. The chief delight of this feature is simply watching her run wild with every minute, quirky imitation of avian or reptilian behavior, and I dare say that for her performance alone this is worth watching.
Enjoyable as this ludicrous romp is, it's also distinctly imperfect. While it's all in the spirit of that same zany bombast, there are absolutely points where the movie becomes entirely too self-indulgent. Some attempts at comedy linger far too long; other inclusions just aren't as funny as the filmmaker thinks they are. Novel if it's used sparingly, as director Philippe Mora illustrates a love of the fisheye lens that's overbearing and gets old fast. Much of the last 15-20 minutes tries much too hard to break the fourth wall, and tries too hard generally; to echo a line stated repeatedly, it really seems like the plot has been lost a little bit as Mora tries to shove more ideas into his screenplay than reasonably fit. And with all this having been said, 'Pterodactyl Woman' is also simply longer than it needs to be; the entertainment value has begun to wear thin well before the end credits start to roll. Even if the intent really were pure parody, this would have benefited from leaving some parts on the cutting room floor.
Still, for all its faults, I think this is much more fun than not. Too overcooked for its own good, maybe, but if one isn't readily turned away by the very premise, then chances are this will find appeal. I can only repeat that the best part of the whole film is without a doubt D'Angelo's wholehearted performance as the "were-o-dactyl," yet even beyond her contribution this is a swell bit of minor amusement. Don't feel like you need to go out of your way for it, but if you happen to come across 'Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills - and especially if you're a fan of the star - then this is a fair way to pass the time.
Beverly D'Angelo gives us the bird
Bernie444415 January 2024
With the lame introductions, I could see why people would not go past the first 10 minutes. The only attraction is the quick flick of frontal lobes. This looks like the production will be a bunch of cheap puns.
In reality, it is a bunch of cheap puns that are well delivered coherently. Just as you are going to say wait a minute where is the socially redeeming value, you find you do not care. I am not saying that you will laugh aloud but you will be glued to the movie wandering just how far they will go.
I would say regardless of your taste in "film" that you do not miss this movie good, bad or whatnot.
It is a simple story of an egghead anthropologist Tommy Chandler (Aron Eisenberg) exploiting sacred grounds. The negative Salvador Dali (Brion James) puts a cur will not Tommy's wife Pixie (Beverly D'Angelo) and turns her into you guessed it "Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills". What becomes of the different relationships of family, friends, and national security? Will they just have to wing it?
I have been working on a screenplay "Chicken of the Sea" and was surprised to find parallels on some of my best lines. I found a friend in Troma Entertainment (us "Almost 40 years of reel independence)".
Great stock footage. Well-designed costumes. Believable characters. Good background music.
In reality, it is a bunch of cheap puns that are well delivered coherently. Just as you are going to say wait a minute where is the socially redeeming value, you find you do not care. I am not saying that you will laugh aloud but you will be glued to the movie wandering just how far they will go.
I would say regardless of your taste in "film" that you do not miss this movie good, bad or whatnot.
It is a simple story of an egghead anthropologist Tommy Chandler (Aron Eisenberg) exploiting sacred grounds. The negative Salvador Dali (Brion James) puts a cur will not Tommy's wife Pixie (Beverly D'Angelo) and turns her into you guessed it "Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills". What becomes of the different relationships of family, friends, and national security? Will they just have to wing it?
I have been working on a screenplay "Chicken of the Sea" and was surprised to find parallels on some of my best lines. I found a friend in Troma Entertainment (us "Almost 40 years of reel independence)".
Great stock footage. Well-designed costumes. Believable characters. Good background music.
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