Released in 1987 and directed by William Dear, "Harry and the Hendersons" is a family comedy about a family in Washington who unwittingly brings Sasquatch to their home and they start to develop a relationship with him. But then he gets let loose in Seattle. John Lithgow & Melinda Dillon star as the parents while Margaret Langrick & Joshua Rudoy co-star as the kids. Don Ameche is on hand as a Bigfoot expert while David Suchet plays the Sasquatch-hunting villain. The 7'2.5" Kevin Peter Hall appears as "Harry." Lithgow is a great semi-comedic protagonist and Langrick is cute & effective; she should've been more prominent. The F/X team and Hall did a great job making Harry a distinctive character, particularly considering the film was made in the mid-80s. Although there are some weak parts, this is a solid family comedy/fantasy with just enough good in it to make it worthwhile.The movie runs 110 minutes and was shot in Western Washington.GRADE: Borderline B/ B- (6.5/10 Stars)

It comes as little surprise that HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS is a crushing work of sentimental tripe, given that it's been produced by Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. Unlike the genuinely good family films of the 1980s, like THE GOONIES and THE MONSTER SQUAD, this reduces the cast to a screaming mess, a bunch of actors holed up in a house who spend the movie shouting and overacting for all their worth.The subject of their consternation is the hulking bigfoot who ends up living with them for a time. While the bigfoot suit is admittedly impressive - as is the sheer size of the guy who plays it, the late Kevin Peter Hall, who also essayed the role of the Predator - the way he's turned into a bumbling, friendly giant is frankly embarrassing for this viewer.I get that a lot of reviewers on here saw this as a kid so have a special place for it in their hearts; I'm the same with certain films despite their flaws. But coming into it as a cold-hearted adult, I'm afraid this is one for kids and kids alone; even the normally reliable likes of John Lithgow and David Suchet embarrass themselves in the overacting stakes. And from what I remember of it, the ensuing TV series is poor too with limited and repetitive jokes.

Ever since I was a kid, I've loved this movie! It has a great storyline, hilarious and tender moments. You fall in love with Harry because he is so adorable, lovable, and awesome! While on a hunting trip, the Hendersons run into a Bigfoot. When they think he's dead, they put him on the roof of the car. During the night, George Henderson wakes up and finds that Bigfoot is still alive. After a while, the family come to realize that he's gentle, and harmless, so they name him Harry. While the whole town is on the hunt for Harry, the Henderons must take Harry take to back to his home in the wilderness. I love when Harry laughs at the TV, and when George is on the news saying "My name is George Hen." I highly recommend HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS!!!

Yeah, this is the typical "family flick" from the '80s. I first saw "Harry and the Hendersons" between kindergarten and first grade; I'm not sure that I would recommend it for children that young. I saw it again a few years later, and it seemed hokier each progressive time. Needless to say, a major surprise came when I read the cast. Aside from John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon and Don Ameche, there's also Lainie Kazan (the mother in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), and in a smaller role there's William Frankfather (the albino in "Foul Play"). Director William Dear also has a brief appearance.Anyway, not a bad movie, but nothing that I would recommend.And yes it's true, my dad knew co-writer Ezra Rappaport as a teenager. I don't know whether or not Rappaport was involved in the production of another movie after this.