The Meteor Man is a 1993 superhero film written, directed, and starring Robert Townsend, and featuring an ensemble cast. Townsend stars as a mild-mannered schoolteacher, who becomes a superhero after his neighbourhood in Washington, D.C. is terrorized by street gangs. Although the film is set in Washington, it was mostly filmed in Baltimore.
Overview
The title theme song was performed by Big Hat Ray Ray (aka Raymond Smith).
The movie is rumored to have gone through many re-writes and changes while in production, resulting in many plot holes including the exact abilities Meteor Man has as well as sub plots involving Jeff, his fears and his personal life. Many scenes appeared in the script and possibly could have been filmed but did not appear in the final film.
These scenes include Simon asking Meteor Man to join him while they are both trying to get to the meteor, with Meteor Man saying never. A scene where Jeff,losing his powers, attempts to save a cat but can't fly. When he finally gets off the ground he catches the cat but falls. This is witnessed by Squirrel and Dre who are about to tell this information to the Golden Lords but is then stopped by Jeff. Also a scene where Jeff gets over his fear of heights and a sub plot involving Jeff's relationship with his ex-girlfriend Stacy is missing.
The original ending had a more confident Jeff standing up for himself and his community and using his role as a teacher to better everyone's life. He then gets approached by Michael who tells him that an even bigger piece of the meteor that hit him was found in Arizona. The two then agree to buy plane tickets so that Jeff can get his powers back and once again become Meteor Man. This is followed by Michael trying to talk him into letting him get some power from the meteor so he can be his sidekick. It then ends with Michael throwing out names to him, such as Comet Boy, Chocolate Thunder, and the Flying Wonder.
Robert Townsend named his characters real identity, Jefferson Reed, after one of his childhood heroes, his favorite teacher.
Marvel Comics produced a 6-issue limited series spin-off titled simply Meteor Man
Robert Townsend would go on to direct and star in another superhero film: The Disney Channel movie Up, Up and Away. While Marla Gibbs plays Meteor Man's mother in this film, her The Jeffersons co-star and on-screen enemy Sherman Hemsley plays Townsend's father in the Disney Channel film.
It is believed that Chris Tucker made a cameo in film. His voice was heard saying "I told you he can fly. You didn't believe me. Ladies and gentlemen. Lets give it up for Meteor Man!!" As Robert Townsend levitates Eddie Griffin, who posing as Meteor Man.[citation needed]
Plot
Jefferson Reed is a mild mannered school teacher in Washington D.C.. His neighborhood is terrorized by a local gang called the Golden Lords. One night, Jeff steps in to rescue a woman from the gang, only to end up running from them himself. Hiding in a garbage dumpster, he manages to escape, and as he climbs out of it, he is struck down by a glowing green meteorite which crashes down from the sky. His spine is crushed and he receives severe burns. A small fragment of the meteor was left over and was taken by a silent vagrant (Bill Cosby). Reed awakens several days later in the hospital, but when his bandages are taken off, he is miraculously healed from all his injuries.
Jeff soon discovers the meteorite has left him with other abilities too, such as flight, x-ray vision and superhuman strength. Confiding this to his parents (Robert Guillaume and Marla Gibbs), he is convinced by them to use his powers to try and help the community. His mother designs a costume for him, and as The Meteor Man, he takes on the Golden Lords and their leader Simon Caine (Roy Fegan). He shuts down a crack house, stops a robbery, and unites the Crips, Bloods and the police.
The Golden Lords learn of Meteor Man's identity, and the ongoing loss of his powers. As the gang vs. the community rivalry gets out of hand, after yet another attack by the Golden Lords. The community members plan to make a deal with them, Jeff jumps in and teaches them about fighting for their beliefs. A powerless Jeff fights Simon and gets beaten up in the process. Simon raises his gun up towards Jeff, planning to shoot him until Jeff's neighbor (James Earl Jones) throws a record at him and successfully knocks the gun out of Simon's hand. At this point the neighborhood fights back and the same man who picked up the small meteor fragment uses it to strip the Golden Lords of their guns. The man accidentally drops the meteor on the ground and Jeff and Simon notice this. They both get a fragment of the meteor, gaining superpowers, and engage in a brawl, with Meteor Man as the victor.
Afterwards, the drug lord Mr. Byers (Frank Gorshin) confronts Meteor Man, but is outnumbered by the Bloods and the Crips, who show up to protect Meteor Man. Byers is then arrested by the police after attempting to "take a vacation to the Bahamas".
Reception
Cast
Soundtrack
- "I Can't Let Her Get Away" - Michael Jackson
- "It's for You" - Shanice
- "Don't Waste My Time" - Lisa Taylor
- "You Turn Me On" - Hi-Five
- "Who Can?"
- "Your Future Is Our Future" - Daryl Coley & Frank McComb
- "I Say a Prayer" - Howard Hewett
- "Is It Just Too Much" - Keith Washington
- "Somebody Cares for You" - Frank McComb
- "Good Love" - Elaine Stepter
- "Ain't Nobody Bad (Like Meteor Man)" - Big Hat Ray Ray
External links
