Encino Man (1992)

My Review

Sean Astin plays a California teen digging a pit in his backyard for a swimming pool when he unearths a frozen caveman (played by Brendan Fraser) in “Encino Man.” Director Les Mayfield put together an excellent fantasy comedy in his feature film debut, which was also Fraser’s first movie, from a decent script penned by George Zaloom and Shawn Schepps, who developed the story.

The cast includes Sean Astin (son of Patty Duke and John Astin), Brandan Fraser, Mariette Hartley, Richard Masur, Megan Ward, Michael DeLuise (son of Dom DeLuise), Robin Tunney, Esther Scott, and Ke Huy Quan. While not exactly Shakespeare, “Encino Man” is still a watchable escapist comedy which was a big hit at the box office for Hollywood Pictures, Touchstone Pacific Partners I, Silver Screen Partners IV, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, and The Walt Disney Company. It was filmed in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles.