The Strongest Man in the World (G, 1975)

common sense media says

Dexter Riley trilogy falls flat in its final installment.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this film is geared toward kids, it has less to do with its youthful main character, Dexter Riley, than the fictional cereal companies that are vying for a strength formula he created in science class. Watch out for the belittling portrayal of Asian-American culture.

Positive messages: Dated, problematic stereotypes of Asian culture pop up here, especially when the villians go to Chinatown to get help in brainwashing a character. Though Aunt Harriet is the CEO of a cereal company, there are few women or girls with any lines in this dated film. Dexter lives in a house with all white guys, and all of his friends are white.
Violence & scariness: Dexter throws mobster thugs around the laboratory and destroys the room and equipment.
Sexy stuff: Dexter holds hands with his girlfriend.
Language: Characters call each other "idiot," "numbskull,""stupid."
Consumerism: The premise behind the plot is to create a formula that can be added to a consumable food product to increase strength and stamina. Most of the adults in the film are portrayed as money oriented and ruthless.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The strength potion taken by the characters could be termed a drug, since it creates physical changes after it's consumed. Cigar smoking by older male character.

More on The Strongest Man in the World

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether foods like breakfast cereals can really do everything that they promise. What other kinds of products make such lofty promises? Is Dexter cheating when he takes the strength formula before he performs in the weight-lifting contest?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell) and his pals have been working in the science lab at Medfield College making vitamin-rich feed for a cow named Ruthie Bell to help her gain weight and produce more milk. Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn) discovers the cost of their experiments and shuts their lab down, firing their favorite teacher. Then, quite by accident, Dexter eats a bowl of the cereal laced with the strength formula, and before you can say Snap, Crackle, Pop he finds he has supernatural strength. Dean Higgins brings the formula to a cereal company, and the stealing of secrets and scheming ensue in this mid-70's caper.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Not as strong as the other two films in the Dexter Riley series, THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD spends more time characterizing the buffoonery of adults than paying attention to the kids who are watching the film. In fact, Kurt Russell spends less time on screen than his many co-stars. Modern day kids might be bored by the lame special effects and the many minutes spent in board meetings with old white men.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Vincent McEveety
Cast: Eve Arden, Joe Flynn, Kurt Russell
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: January 5, 1975
DVD release: May 4, 1975
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: General Audiences

This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Strongest Man in the World





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

sydneytaylor23
teen, 15 years old
 
Greatest movie ever!!!
I love this movie soooooooooo much!!!!

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see The Strongest Man in the World?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age