There were three people at the movie house. Two people on a date, and myself. There wasn't much laughter among us to justify calling this movie a comedy. Most of the funny moments were brought on by the lines that the original movie had, although some of the new material did show these characters that we came to love 30 years ago and show them in a different light.

The late, great Dudley Moore who delighted his audience with the lovable drunk Arthur Bach 30 years ago was replaced by Russel Brand, who apparently is the best they could come up with. Brand gave a great impression of Moore, but didn't quite make Arthur lovable enough for me. Helen Mirren, as Hobson was spot on as the English Nanny type, as opposed to Gielgud's butler Hobson, but the same spirit was there in her wit. It was perfect casting, as she took the role that made Sir John an Oscar winner, and made it her own.

The rest of the cast was made up with a collection of nobodies with the exception of Nick Nolte as Burt Johnson and Jennifer Garner as his daughter Susan. Nolte's take on the self made billionaire was inspired. A man so tough that he shot with a nail gun and pull the nails out with his bare hands is certainly going to be intimidating. Garner however was wasted in her role as she is just to beautiful and likable to play a nasty girl. Brand as Arthur said to her character "You deserve better than this" Indeed she did! Arthur was forced to marry this girl in order to keep his $950 million trust fund. I'd have done it for a whole lot less!

Possible Spoiler alert! This movie is not as bad as I thought it would be, but if you never saw the first movie, go ahead and give this one a go. Then rent the classic "Arthur". If you liked this movie, I can guarantee you'll love the classic. If you saw the original, I suggest you wait for this to be released on video, which I'm sure it will be in a few weeks time. It was a noble effort, the writing was there, but the acting was too sub-par!