Now Showing: Mimsley and Me

 

Mimsley and Me

Genre: Family/Comedy/Adventure

Director: Frank Oz

Writer: Jacob Jones

Cast: Steve Martin, Joey King, Stephanie Beatriz, Elliott Gould, Jake Weary, Sam Jaeger, Frank Oz (voice/puppeteer), Noel MacNeal (voice/puppeteer), Steve Whitemire (voice/puppeteer)

Plot: The year is 1982:

A janitor turned magician named Mimsley (Jake Weary) performs in front of a small audience. His performance isn’t noteworthy, much of his tricks are rather basic, but there is a clear charm and likability to Mimsley, especially when he performs his final trick of the night, levitating and flying towards the crowd, shaking the hands of everyone in the process.

The year is now 2022:

A now older Mimsley (Steve Martin) watches televisiom when he hears the doorbell. He turns off the TV and goes to open the door, finding Martha (Joey King), his granddaughter. She’s going to be spending the week with him as her parents will be out of town. Martha admits that it’s kind of silly, especially since she’s twenty-one, but someone has to help provide for the family.

Throughout the day, Martha helps her grandfather around the house, Mimsley clearly not as spry or mobile as he once was. Still, he takes it all in good fun. That evening, Martha and Mimsley look to clean up the attic when Martha notices several tapes and pictures. She asks Mimsley about them as he goes to look. To his delight, Mimsley exclaims that Martha has found some of his old tapes from when he was a magician.

Mimsley proceeds to rattle off some old tales about his days as a magician, intriguing Martha as he does. He then shows some of his favorite pictures, including the time he hung out with Freddie Mercury of Queen fame. Amazed, Martha excitedly asks if Mimsley still performs on occasion. Immediately, Mimsley drops his smile, quietly saying that it’s a story for another day, confusing Martha.

That evening, as Martha tucks herself in for the night, Mimsley heads to his bedroom, carrying some old pictures of his magician days. Mimsley sighs, putting the pictures away in a drawer and going to sleep.

The next day is much of the same until Martha turns on the TV to find the news. She’s about to change the channel when she hears a story about an old scientist named Dr. Hock (Elliott Gould) who claims to be able to bring extinct lifeforms back from the dead by copying their DNA samples. Martha asks Mimsley if such a thing can happen, Mimsley grins, saying anything is possible. He then looks at the TV and sees Dr. Hock. Like last night, Mimsley freezes up, all traces of joy evaporating from his face.

Martha turns off the TV, checking on her grandfather to see if he’s alright. Mimsley assures her that he’s fine, claiming that he forgot to take his medication. He excuses himself and walks out of the house. During his walk, Mimsley looks up at the sky, dark clouds blocking the sun. He sighs, asking Dr. Hock where it all went wrong.

Inside an eccentrically colorful laboratory, Dr. Hock is putting the final touches on his formula for reviving extinct creatures. The formula he’s chosen is for dinosaurs, believing that dinosaurs are the creatures he needs in order to start his conquest for world domination. Hock readies his DNA samples, placing the condiments inside the Creature Feature 3000 before stepping back.

After starting and sputtering for several seconds, a large explosion is heard. Dr. Hock (having covered himself with an umbrella jacket), opens his eyes to find a stegosaurus, brachiosaurus, and pterodactyl. None of them are near as threatening as Dr. Hock was hoping. Nonetheless, Dr. Hock introduces Stego (Frank Oz), Brachio (Noel MacNeal), and Ptero (Steve Whitmire) to his laboratory.

Despite their curious nature, the three dinosaurs end up causing some chaos, with Brachio and Ptero bumping their heads on the ceiling and breaking test tubes. Seeing this damage, the scientist forms an idea in his head. If he can channel the destructive nature of all his dinosaurs, he can use them to impose his will. Stego points out that Brachio and Ptero, from the short amount of time he’s gotten to know them, aren't particularly bright.

Ptero scolds Stego for thinking he’s a bird brain and the two squabble for a bit. Brachio is confused but appears happy to go along with whatever Dr. Hock has in mind. After separating both Stego and Ptero, Dr. Hock orders them outside. It’s time to begin their training.

Mimsley and Martha take a stroll out of town, eventually finding themselves at a local park and sitting on a bench. Mimsley takes a look around the area, feeling at peace with himself. He tells Martha that sometimes, being outside and observing the world pass by is the best kind of feeling in the world. To explain this, he pulls out a banjo and plays a song about the little things in life. For a moment, all is peaceful in the world of Martha and Mimsley.

Then, Martha notices a small magic show not far from them. The two proceed to walk up, interested in seeing it. Performing from a small crowd is Stella (Stephanie Beatriz), or as she is referred to in the show: ‘Stella Stupendous’. The moment she eyes Mimsley, she begins to fangirl inside, but maintains her composure, instead asking for two volunteers. Martha and Mimsley come up on stage. After some playful banter, Stella reveals that Mimsley is the reason she got into magic, mortifying Mimsley. Stella proceeds to do a disappearing act, causing both Mimsley and Martha to disappear. But when Stella tries to make them both reappear, only Martha remains. Not wanting to destroy the illusion, Stella calls for a brief intermission.

Stella and Martha soon find Mimsley hiding outside the stage. Martha comes up to Mimsley, asking if he’s alright. For the first time, Mimsley admits that he isn’t, being taken by surprise by Stella’s open confession. Being oblivious, Stella asks if the sun was in his eyes or if the spotlights got too bright for him. Mimsley bluntly tells Stella that he gave up magic a long time ago. That’s enough to shut Stella up.

“But why?” Martha asks, starting to tire of Mimsley’s strange behavior regarding magic. Now faced with answering that question for the first time, Mimsley states that the magic left when the curtains went down. He tells Martha that they’re going home, taking her by the hand and leaving a confused Stella to pick up the pieces. Once home, Mimsley heads to the attic and picks up all his old tapes, throwing them away, declaring that it’s the only way to ‘move on’.

That afternoon, Stella arrives at Mimsley’s house with a bouquet of roses. Martha answers the door, accepting the roses. Martha proceeds to check on Mimsely, who is lying in bed, questioning his prior actions. She brings Stella in who apologizes for her prior actions. Mimsley sits up and sighs, saying that it’s he who should be apologizing. He overreacted when Stella brought up his past. In fact, he hasn’t been honest with either of them. Mimsley motions for the two to sit beside him as he tells his story.

Way back in the 80s, young Mimsley was an aspiring magician, hoping to make it all the way to Las Vegas. He wasn’t the most outstanding magician in the world, but he did the best he could with what he got. One day, it seemed as though Mimsley would finally get his chance, partaking in a talent contest where the winner got to perform in Las Vegas. Mimsley vowed to put on the greatest show he possibly could, but when it came time to perform, everything went horribly wrong. As it turned out, Mimsley had been sabotaged earlier by someone else. He never found out who, but the embarrassment and humiliation Mimsley suffered that day were enough to make him give up the profession for good.

Remorseful, Stella apologizes profusely for bringing back these memories. Mimsley forgives her as she didn’t know. To this day, he admits that it’s something he has never been truly able to get over. Martha thinks for a moment and freezes upon getting an idea. Perhaps there is a way for Mimsley to get closure, by performing in Las Vegas! Mimsley is taken aback by this, unsure if he even knows his old tricks. Luckily, Stella is willing to re-teach Mimsley. To give him that final boost he needs, Martha tells Mimsley that it’s never too late to realize your dreams, but he has to want this. After a few seconds, Mimsley agrees to try and get back in the game.

While the trio is making plans, Ptero is watching from the window and flies off to tell Brachio, Stego, and Dr. Hock the news. Dr. Hock commands the dinosaurs to sabotage their hopes by any means necessary. Brachio, Stego and Ptero are soon left to their own devices, each bickering about the best way to do it. Brachio wants to use his strength to crush their equipment, Ptero wants to fly around like a madman, Stego wants to swap things out and replace them with other things. The three reluctantly compromise.

Throughout the next few days, both groups prepare for their respective events. Mimsely begins to relearn some of his old tricks and even learns a new trick or two, Stego, Ptero and Brachio try their best to combine their plan with varying results (while Ptero also spies on Mimsley’s group). Eventually, the day of Mimsley’s big comeback emerges, a try-out show just before they attempt the trip to Las Vegas. At the same park Stella performed her show, Mimsley stands outside the pavilion, nervous about what the audience may think. Martha assures her grandfather that everything’s going to be fine.

Mimsley enters the pavilion and the show starts off without a hitch, Mimsley reliving old tricks from his past. Things begin to go horribly wrong when Ptero begins to fly around like crazy, distracting Mimsley. Stego sneaks from behind the pavilion to swipe some of Mimsley’s belongings but is stopped by Stella. Stego calls for Brachio to back him up, but when he gets there, he becomes smitten with her. Eventually, Martha manages to shoo away the dinosaurs, but the damage is done.

Dejected, Mimsley remains in the pavilion, a defeated man. Martha checks on him, but Mimsley is convinced that it’s over. That was his chance and he blew it. Stella disagrees, for some reason, a group of dinosaurs to disrupt the performance. It soon hits Martha that there was a news story regarding an experiment where creatures came back to life. She asks Stella if that could’ve played a factor, and if so, why? Stella and Mimsley decide not to answer this question and instead give Mimsley another pep talk.

Martha had always wanted to become an author, but her parents, specifically her mother, didn’t see it that way. Whenever she tried to put her best foot forward, something would happen and it would get people telling her to give up. She kept at it though and now, she’s trying to get her first novel published. Stella also faced the same pressure Mimsley was feeling when she was just starting out, but she too went forward and now, she’s performing at least once a week. At the end of the day, the only way they’re going to get what they want is if they believe in it. Can Mimsley still believe? He looks at Stella, then at Martha, and says: “Yes, yes I can.”Martha extends a hand to her grandfather and helps him up, the three heading home to plan their next moves.

Back in Dr. Hock’s laboratory, Stego and Ptero argue about who is to blame, only for Dr. Hock to tell them to shut up. In his eyes, the plan actually succeeded. Not only did they ruin Mimsley’s ‘comeback’, they almost broke him. Now, they have to do it again, this time in Las Vegas. At last, the scientist claims, he will finally have his chance at redemption. Just one problem, Brachio remains infatuated with Stella, calling her the ‘prettiest thing he’s ever seen (“And I’ve seen the sky!”). With that, Dr. Hock heads off, carrying a small invention. He tells Stego to make plans. They’re going to Las Vegas.

Early next morning, Stella wakes both Mimsley and Martha up for breakfast, claiming to have booked a venue for Mimsley called Place on 7th. It’s not big, but it's good enough for Mimsley. Their flight is set for that evening, giving them enough time to prepare. The day is successful regarding training, but one thing has Mimsley concerned. He cannot remember his levitation spell, the most important part of his act. Martha assures him that they’ll figure it out.

That evening, Mimsley, Martha, and Stella fly off to Las Vegas and get their first look at the Place on 7th. Having booked their hotel to be close by, Mimsley stays behind to take in the entire area, realizing that his comeback may soon be upon him. Disaster however strikes the next day as the planner tells them there’s been a scheduling conflict, someone has already scheduled their event for tonight, and thus, they’ll have to be bumped to another date.

Despite the group’s disappointment, Stella is able to book a new date for the venue. Out of curiosity, Martha suggests they go see the event that’s occurring in the Place on 7th, garnering everyone’s interest. The group walks inside Place on 7th, only for Mimsley to be attacked by a group of velociraptors. Martha and Stella try to fend them off, but they too fall victim to the surprise assault. The full force of Dr. Hock’s experiment takes view as a sabertooth tiger, two mammoths, multiple treefrogs, and even a dodo wreck the entire place, sending everyone into a panic.

The velociraptors bring Mimsely and the girls to the front of the stage where Brachio, Stego, and Ptero introduce the ‘star of the show’ Dr. Hock. Hock welcomes everyone to the ‘greatest show on Earth’ and that this day was a long time coming. Before Dr. Hock can go on, however, Mimsley has disappeared. Dr. Hock turns around, only to find Mimsley is right behind him.

What follows is a game of cat and mouse as Mimsley disappears and reappears all over the area, trying to wear down the creatures while Martha and Stella untie themselves. Stella uses her magic in order to blind Stego while Martha spins around in circles in an effort to make Ptero dizzy. When Brachio asks for Stella’s number, she kicks his leg, causing him to scream loudly and collapse to the ground.

Eventually, Ptero gets the better of Martha and shoots himself towards Mimsley right as he’s about to reappear, causing a collision that sends both collapsing to the ground. Now at the mercy of Dr. Hock, he asks if he’s told his precious daughter about his past. Mimsley claims to have told her everything, but Dr. Hock denies it, saying that he hasn’t been honest.

In flashback, we find Christopher Hock (Sam Jaeger) preparing his latest invention for the talent show. The same invention he unveiled to the world a few weeks ago. He was supposed to get an invitation in the mail, but he never did. Instead, it went to Mimsley. Confused, Hock checked his video camera to see what had happened. As it turns out, Mimsley used his disappearing trick to steal the invitation from him. Enraged, Christopher sabotaged Mimsley’s performance and realized he could use his intelligence for evil instead of good.

When asked if he has anything to say, a horrified and remorseful Mimsley tells Dr. Hock that he’s sorry, not just for ruining Hock’s dreams of being in the talent show, but for hiding these seedier details of his career. The truth is, he was a dumb man who didn’t know how to handle his fame and was willing to take any advantage he could. He knows the pain he set on Dr. Hock was wrong, but that this form of revenge is not the answer. Mimsley asks Dr. Hock if there’s a way to make amends.

Taken aback by Mimsley’s question, Dr. Hock thinks back to where he was before the talent contest, a simple inventor and scientist wanting to change the world for the better. Realizing there’s no way out, Hock says in a soft voice “I can fix it…if you let me in your show.” Mimsley accepts Hock’s deal and the two shake hands.

Several days later, in front of a packed crowd, The Magical Mimsley finally makes his Las Vegas debut, but he’s not alone, joined by his three assistants, Stella the Stupendous, Martha the Magnificent, and Dr. Hock and his dancing dinosaurs! Each person does their favorite tricks to wow the audience, The Magical Mimsley even remembers his levitation trick and flies towards the crowd like old times. The real star of the show is Dr. Hock as Brachio, Ptero, and Stego dance the Cupid Shuffle, even getting Mimsley, Stella, Martha and Dr. Hock involved.

The crowd breaks into a standing ovation, applauding everyone for the amazing show. The group takes several curtain calls as Martha looks at the wide smile in his eyes. He whispers to Mimsley that he did it. Mimsley glances at Dr. Hock, almost unable to contain his happiness, whispering that they all did it, together.

After all, the real magic comes from inside.