Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
lost interest.
Released right after
Jumpin' Jack Flash, Burglar came out at a high time in
Whoopi Goldberg's popular success. It's ultimately an unfortunate entry along side
Fatal Beauty that tried to cash in on her bankable personality and the concurrent success of
Eddie Murphy action comedies. It has all the trappings of a highly derivative, formulaic caper film, earning it terrible reviews and marking a downturn for Goldberg's career that lasted until
Ghost. However, it's mindlessly dumb entertainment with a few choice comedic moments and a relatively enjoyable stupid plot. Particularly interesting is
Bobcat Goldthwait, who gives it his all with his signature performance style and will please fans with some of the film's funniest bits. There is nothing new to be said about the standard murder story, zany comedy, or the '80s soundtrack, which comes complete with a cheesy synthesized song featuring inane lyrics that just repeat the title of the movie ad nauseum. Although it could be seen as novel in retrospect, very little has been written about
Whoopi Goldberg's presence as a black female action star who never resorts to exploiting her sexuality -- nor does she even address it. In any case, Burglar is a largely forgettable comedy that remains harmless enough as a vehicle for
Bobcat Goldthwait during his heyday and
Whoopi Goldberg on her way out. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide