I first saw Romancing the Stone years ago and I've watched it several times over the years.  I decided to watch the movie again.

Popular romance author Joan Wilder celebrates finishing her latest book by drinking a tiny bottle of liquor and feeding her cat Romeo an entire can of tuna.  She really has a quiet life, but that all changes when her sister Elaine is kidnaped in Columbia.  Elaine's husband shipped something to Joan just before he was murdered and the kidnapper wants the package in exchange for Elaine.  Joan rushes off to help her sister, only to end up on the wrong bus.  She narrowly escapes Colonel Zolo, a man who is after the package, with the help of Jack T. Colton, a man who shows up at the right time.  Jack reluctantly agrees to help Joan get to Cartagena while Colonel Zolo and the bumbling Ralph, the cousin of the man who is holding Elaine, chase after them.

The first few minutes of Romancing the Stone deal with Joan finishing her newest book.  She is heard narrating while the scene plays out the action.  Then Joan is shown sitting at her typewriter.  Beginning the movie that way is a little different, but it works since that shows the type of books that Joan writes and the fact that she is a romantic.  What is shared from her book is a bit overly dramatic, but it also sounds entertaining, so it is believable that her books are best sellers.  A few things related to her books do turn up again as the movie progresses.  

Romancing the Stone starts off a little slow while Joan is introduced and the situation is set up.  It doesn't take long for more to start happening.  Once she knows her sister is in danger, Joan rushes off to help even though she really doesn't know what she is getting herself in for.  Most of what happens is somehow tied to Joan trying to help her sister.  There is a bit of mystery to what is going on since it isn't clear why a few things happen at first, though things get cleared up fairly fast.  A couple of scenes have a little bit of suspense to them, but I don't consider this to be a suspenseful movie overall.  I do think things are predictable overall, but that doesn't keep the movie from being fun and entertaining.

Action turns up throughout Romancing the Stone, mostly after Joan is in Columbia.  She and Jack are chased and shot at several times and they fall down the side of a mountain in a mud slide, all without getting hurt.  The different action scenes do help to keep the pace moving and keep things interesting.  Some violence turns up as well, though it isn't that graphic and it shouldn't bother or offend anyone.  At one point, a rather long snake makes an appearance.  I really could have done without seeing that.  There is a good amount of comedy in the movie as well.  Several of the things that I think are funny are connected to Ralph in some way.  Ralph even makes a comment about Batman at one point.  Humor turns up in scenes involving Joan and Jack as well.  The action and comedy are blended together well.

Joan is a successful romance writer who has all sorts of ideas about what she thinks is the perfect man.  She is able to create romantic situations for her books while her real life is rather dull and she has no relationship prospects.  Her publisher talks about getting her to go out with someone, but Joan isn't that interested.  Once she is in Columbia, she ends up spending a lot of time with Jack.  There is an attraction between the two of them and it doesn't take that long for them to end up having sex.  Their relationship does develop really fast.  That might bother some viewers.  Joan does show off a bit of skin, especially her legs, at various points in the movie.  During the first few minutes, when a scene from Joan's book is being shown, the woman in that scene shows off a bit of skin as well.  

Joan Wilder is a very successful author of romance books.  She is a bit up tight at first, but that changes after she is in Columbia and spends time with Jack.  She literally lets her hair down.  She is a likable character, though she does get a bit dramatic about a few things.  She starts off acting a bit more proper, but as the movie progresses, she starts to show a more sexy side.  Kathleen Turner handles the part really well.  Joan's sister Elaine is shown a few times, but not enough to really be a developed character.  She seems nice enough.  Mary Ellen Trainor does fine with the part.

Jack T. Colton is an American who has been in Columbia for several years looking for ways to make money.  He isn't completely trustworthy, though Joan has no choice but to trust him.  He is resourceful and able to think quick on his feet.  Michael Douglas does really good with the part.  Ira is the man who is responsible for taking Elaine.  He is watching her while he sends his cousin Ralph to find Joan.  Ralph is a bit of an idiot who keeps messing up in some way.  Danny DeVito is wonderful in the part.  Ira isn't around as much, so Zack Norman doesn't have as much to do.

Colonel Zolo is the main villain of the movie.  He is ruthless and willing to kill anyone who gets in his way.  Ira and Ralph aren't exactly good guys either, but there are no where near as bad as Zolo.  He works really well as the villain and is suitably menacing.  Manuel Ojeda does well with the part.

Main Cast

Danny DeVito - Ralph    
Michael Douglas - Jack T. Colton
Zack Norman - Ira
Manuel Ojeda - Colonel Zolo
Mary Ellen Trainor - Elaine
Kathleen Turner - Joan Wilder

DVD Information

I have seen a few different DVDs of Romancing the Stone.  The copy I have doesn't have any extras on it.  Not long after I got it, I saw another version with a slightly different cover.  I'm not sure if that version has more extras or not.  I have also seen the movie as part of a two movie set with the sequel, Jewel of the Nile.

Romancing the Stone has some plot issues and is predictable, but it works as a fun, entertaining movie overall that is worth watching.  Fans of the cast may find something to like about the movie.

This review is part of CaptainD's Good Movies EpiGuide 3 Write Off.  It is also part of elvisdo's 2010 Funny Pages Write Off because of Ralph mentioning Batman.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD