Absolutely Anything
starring Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Rob Riggle, Robert Bathurst, Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Marianne Oldham, Emma Pierson, Meera Syal and Mojo the Dog, and the voice of Robin Williams
written by Terry Jones and Gavin Scott
directed by Terry Jones
Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊
Decades after being launched into space, a space probe containing information about the human race and a map to earth is found by four aliens that make up the “Galactic council of Superior Beings.” They debate on whether to destroy the earth or make humanity a member of the council, instead relying on 'Standard galactic protocol' to decide. They will give one human (chosen at random) the ability to do absolutely anything they want. After ten days, if the powers have been used for good, the Aliens will spare earth and make humanity a member of the council. If the powers are used for evil, the earth will be destroyed for the moral improvement for the galaxy.
Called “Miracle Neil!” in Japanese, Neil Clarke (Simon Pegg), is the selected human - a bedraggled teacher at Kinbrook Comprehensive School hopelessly infatuated with a woman neighbour he can’t bring himself to ask out. The Galactic Council are voiced by John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Neil doesn’t know he’s been given the power but he slowly works it out when things start happening around him. Anything he says or wishes no matter how mundane, silly or dangerous suddenly comes true. There’s the comedy. It’s the sort of thing done many times before in the movies. In recent years we’ve had Oh, God (1977, starring George Burns and John Denver), Bruce Almighty (2003, starring Jim Carey), and Evan Almighty (2007, staring Steve Carell) among others.
Neil fails the test and the Galactic Council approves earth’s destruction. But at the last minute his dog, Dennis (voiced by Robin Williams) who had been given the power of human speech by Neil’s omnipotence, saves the planet. You’ll have to watch it to learn how.
Absolute power doesn’t corrupt. It just drives you bloody mad.