Blank Check
Bullied by his siblings and nagged by his parents, 11-year-old Preston Waters is fed up with his family — especially their frugality. But he gets his chance to teach them a lesson when a money-laundering criminal nearly bulldozes Preston with his car and compensates the boy with a blank check. Preston makes the check out for $1 million and goes on a spending spree he'll never forget.
Insights
Plot Summary
Preston Waters, an 11-year-old boy, is given a blank check by a shady businessman named "The Shark" as a bribe to sign over his treehouse. Eager to spend the money, Preston fills in the amount for $1 million and cashes it. He then embarks on a lavish spending spree, enjoying a taste of the adult world with all the toys and luxuries he could imagine. However, his newfound wealth attracts unwanted attention from "The Shark" and the FBI, forcing Preston to re-evaluate his choices.
Critical Reception
Blank Check was generally panned by critics, who found its plot predictable and its humor juvenile. Audiences, particularly younger ones, were more receptive to the film's wish-fulfillment fantasy and slapstick comedy. It has since gained a cult following, often viewed as a nostalgic artifact of 90s children's cinema.
What Reviewers Say
- A simplistic and uninspired comedy relying heavily on wish-fulfillment.
- Lacks depth and relies on broad, often tiresome, gags.
- Enjoys a certain nostalgic charm for those who grew up with it, despite critical shortcomings.
Google audience: Google users found the movie to be a fun, albeit silly, watch, especially for younger audiences. Many appreciated the escapist fantasy of a kid getting rich, though some acknowledged its lack of sophistication and predictable plot.
Fun Fact
The film's antagonist, "The Shark," is played by Henry Gibson, a Swedish comedian known for his appearances on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
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