Keanu Reeves Saves the Universe
nytheatre.com review by Michael Criscuolo
April 29, 2005
Rob Reese’s comedy Keanu Reeves Saves the Universe, a broad spoof of
sci-fi movies and all things Keanu, throws in everything including the kitchen
sink. There are references aplenty to The Matrix (a character named
Dorfeous), Star Wars (a character named Dark Hater), and Star Trek
(a character named Schlock), and dozens more to other cultural signposts like
2001: A Space Odyssey, War Games, The Greatest American Hero,
and the video game Donkey Kong. As you can see, KRSTU is all over the
place, which is both a blessing and a curse. Its inherent looseness fosters the
kind of loony attitude the play needs to succeed (which it does about half the
time). But, that same looseness also gives it an ADD-type quality that makes
KRSTU feel like an hour-long comedy sketch. The novelty of this is fun while
it lasts, but unfortunately it doesn't last the entire show.
The plot—which features a crew of futuristic space hotties traveling back in
time to kidnap Keanu Reeves so he can save the universe—isn't the point.
KRSTU wants nothing more than to lovingly send up an entire film genre and
its own namesake—which it does very well. When Keanu Reeves wonders aloud which
of his films is about cold fusion, one wants to shout out to him, “Chain
Reaction!” When one of the space hotties shouts “Iceberg!” as their vessel
lurches out of control, one laughs at the Titanic quote. But, as the show
progresses, one realizes that KRSTU does not aspire to anything more than
such easy laughs. Once it becomes clear that the entire show is nothing more
than an extended game of Spot-The-Reference, the joke starts to wear a little
thin.
But, KRSTU does have several things going for it, including an
enthusiastic cast that is game for anything. Standouts include Dave McKeel as
Dorfeous, and Marcus Bonnee as an amusingly over-the-top Keanu Reeves. There is
also terrific stage combat from fight choreographer Alan Estevez. His excellent
re-creations of Matrix-type martial arts battles and a hilarious Star
Wars light saber duel are both worth the price of admission alone. Plus,
there’s a trio of strolling trumpet players that make humorous periodic
appearances (to say more would spoil the fun of them).
Writer-director Reese has a fertile imagination and a good sense of humor, but
he needs to tighten up the show’s pacing and fine tune his company’s comic
timing. The actors often take lengthy pauses after a punchline, trying to milk
laughs. But, the abundance of such pauses slows the show down, and lessens the
impact of the jokes. Setting a breakneck pace, so that KRSTU is always
one or two steps ahead of the audience, would be beneficial.
