Thunderpants (2002)

An 11-year-old boy's amazing ability to break wind leads him first to fame and then to death row, before it helps him to fulfill his ambition of becoming an astronaut.

Director:

Peter Hewitt (as Pete Hewitt)

Writers:

Peter Hewitt (story) (as Pete Hewitt), Phil Hughes

Stars:

Simon Callow, Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simon Callow	...	Sir John Osgood
Stephen Fry	...	Sir Anthony Silk
Celia Imrie	...	Miss Rapier
Paul Giamatti	...	Johnson J. Johnson
Ned Beatty	...	Gen. Ed Sheppard
Bruce Cook	...	Patrick Smash
Rupert Grint	...	Alan A. Allen
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Mrs. Smash
Victor McGuire	...	Mr. Smash
Adam Godley	...	Placido P. Placeedo
Leslie Phillips	...	Judge
Robert Hardy	...	Doctor
John Higgins	...	Paediatrician
Lillie Crossley	...	Denise, age 5
Sam Davies	...	Patrick, age 3

Storyline

Patrick Smash (11) was born with two stomachs, and hence the uncontrollable 'talent' to produce ungodly farts. This soon drives his own dad away and makes his social life hell. His only friend is classmate Alan A. Allen, a prodigy genius, who has no sense of smell. Even Alan's invention Thunderpants, which renders Patrick's farts harmless, can't make his space travel dream realistic. However after the invention of an adaptation which turns it into flying fuel, Alan is recruited by the US space center. Patrick becomes word class tenor Sir John Osgood's secret high C farter. Their reunion is even more incredible.

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Plot Keywords:

invention | astronaut | tenor | dream | best friend | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for ongoing crude humor, language, some violence and bullying

Details

Official Sites:

Genius Products [United States]

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Plein gaz

Filming Locations:

153 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£430,913 (United Kingdom), 26 May 2002, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

CP Medien AG,Mission Pictures,Pathé Pictures International

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keira Knightley has a small cameo as one of the music school students. Although she is not mentioned in the cast list, she appears in the "Special Thanks to" list further in the credits.

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Quotes

Johnson J. Johnson: Will you help us, slugger?

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Connections

Spoofs The Right Stuff (1983)

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Soundtracks

Also Sprach Zarathustra
Written by Richard Strauss

User Reviews

It made me feel sick.

If a motion picture "comedy" about a boy with two stomachs whose flatulence only matches his immense weight sounds appealing to you, then by all means you will adore "Thunderpants." Yes, "Thunderpants" is about an English child who has constant flatulence. The all-star sounded promising to me and that's the only reason I saw this in the first place -- Ned Beatty and Paul Giamatti even have small roles in the film! -- but unfortunately their talents are pushed aside for corny, crude fart jokes.

"Thunderpants" makes "Austin Powers'" fart jokes look sophisticated. This movie beats the dead horse over and over - there are only so many times we can (attempt to) laugh because, hey, that kid leaves gas a lot! " Oh my, that's so funny! It's genius! Farts are hilarious!" I want to know who greenlit this project so I can carry a copy of "Thunderpants" to his or her house, strap them to a chair and force them to watch it 100 consecutive times, and see how much they enjoy the "humor" after that.

An odd rarity in the children's film department, "Thunderpants" is clearly targeted towards the kiddies, but its content is quite adult in nature. Children swear throughout the movie (our lead character uses profanity to describe portions of his anatomy) and the subject matter in general is lewd and crude and I had to wonder what sort of parent would even allow their child to view something like this in the first place.

It's a demeaning film with no laughs and a sick, twisted sense of humor that is both inappropriate for children and way too stupid for adults. One of the worst films in recent memory.