Creating Rem Lazar is a direct-to-videotape children's musical from 1989 that is 48 minutes long, half the length of the average movie. Was featured on an episode of Best of the Worst.
Two kids who get in trouble a lot for daydreaming in school have the same dream about the same imaginary friend, a Roman-themed superhero named Rem Lezar. The two meet, learn to get over their differences and discover what they have in common, and paint a mannequin like their dream hero. He comes to life and becomes fully human, and then takes them on a series of adventures, which involve a great deal of song and dance, as they try to find the Quixotic Medallion that will allow him to live longer than a day.
Not to be confused with the band R.E.M. or the OVA series Dream Hunter Rem.
This movie contains examples of:
- '80s Hair: Rem's permed mullet is a standout example, helped (or not) by the fact that it's dyed deep indigo to match his suit.
- All Just a Dream: Everything from when lightning brings Rem Lezar to life to when he and the kids defeat Vorock was all a dream.
- And You Were There: The police officer who escorts the kids home is played by Jack Mulcahy, the same actor as Rem Lezar.
- Big Applesauce: A magic medallion in a very high place? Look for it in the skyscrapers of New York. At the top of the World Trade Center.
- Big "WHAT?!": Vorock gives an epic one when the children tell him they don't hate him.
- Clap Your Hands If You Believe: Rem Lezar comes to life simply by the kids believing in him.
- Defeat Equals Friendship: Averted. When Zack and Ashlee take Rem's advice and reach out to Vorock in friendship, he immediately stops antagonizing them.
- Department of Redundancy Department: The opening song begins with the line: "When I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming of a dream.".
- Flying Face: Vorock is a digitized, floating head with static overlays.
- Genre Mashup: The musical number "Out of Sight"
in Central Park features a 50s style a capella group, a rapper, and a violinist. - Girls Have Cooties: Zack wants nothing to do with Ashlee at first because she's a girl. He even remarks that his parents told him girls would be drawn to him, and that it annoys him.
- I Just Want to Have Friends: Zack. Vorock as well.
- Imaginary Enemy: Vorock is the evil counterpart to Rem Lezar, and wants to defeat Rem.
- Imaginary Friend: Rem Lezar, a friend shared by both Zack and Ashlee coincidentally.
- Lightning Can Do Anything: A lightning storm causes Rem Lezar to come to life.
- Literal-Minded: When Rem tells them they can find happiness in the highest places, they immediately assume actual height, such as being atop a mountain or a skyscraper.
- Me's a Crowd: At one point the kids go in different directions to search for the medallion. Rem splits in two and one of him goes with each of them.
- Miniscule Rocking: Vorock's Villain Song is little more than half a minute long.
- The Musical: The entire movie is packed with songs.
- Or Was It a Dream?: After waking up, next to their Rem Lazar mannequin, the kids discover they are each wearing a Quixotic Medallion.
- Poorly Disguised Pilot: The film was two episodes of a show meant to sell the idea to television producers.
- The Power of Love: The main theme of the movie.
- It seems the reason the kids were able to bring Rem Lezar to life was by forming a friendship and working to achieve a goal together.
- At one point, the two kids are separated and wish to be reunited, and simply by wishing for it and hugging Rem Lezar, they transport over to each other.
- They defeat the villain by telling him that they don't hate him, whereas reacting to his hate with hate of their own was visibly killing Rem.
- Lastly and more demonstrably, the answer to the riddle of the highest thing in existence, which they needed to find to get Rem's magic medallion, was love.
- Self-Duplication: Rem demonstrates this power when the kids are separated in the woods.
- Sequel Hook: The kids wake up inexplicably each wearing one of the medallions they were on their quest to find, implying they can bring Rem back when it's time for more adventures.
- Straw Misogynist: Zack briefly becomes this when meeting Ashlee so he can learn a lesson.
- There Are No Therapists: You would think that with all the trouble the kids are having at school, a trip to the school counselor would be in order. It never comes up. The closest thing is Rem, who talks to them about their problems and gives useful advice.
