Mac and Me

Mac and Me is a 1988 American science fiction film directed by Stewart Raffill. Produced by Raffill and Ronald McDonald, the film centers around a "Mysterious Alien Creature" (MAC) that escapes from nefarious NASA agents and is befriended by a boy who uses a wheelchair due to a disability. The film is known for its product placement promoting McDonald's and Coca-Cola.

Plot

The film begins with a NASA Voyager probe returning to Earth with samples from a mysterious alien planet. Among the samples are living creatures, one of which escapes when the probe crashes in California. This creature, later named MAC (Mysterious Alien Creature), finds its way to the home of Eric Cruise, a young boy who uses a wheelchair. Eric and MAC quickly form a bond, and Eric decides to help MAC find his family, who were also brought to Earth by the probe.

Production

Mac and Me was produced by Golden State Foods, a company that supplies food to McDonald's. The film was directed by Stewart Raffill, who co-wrote the screenplay with Steve Feke. The film was heavily influenced by the success of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and has been criticized for its extensive use of product placement, particularly for McDonald's and Coca-Cola.

Reception

Upon its release, Mac and Me was critically panned. Critics cited the film's blatant product placement, weak storyline, and derivative nature as major flaws. Despite this, the film has gained a cult following and is often featured in lists of the worst films ever made.

Legacy

Despite its initial negative reception, Mac and Me has gained a cult following in the years since its release. The film is often featured in "worst of" lists, and has been referenced in popular culture, including an ongoing joke on the talk show Conan where actor Paul Rudd would play a clip from the film instead of promoting his latest project.

See also

• List of films considered the worst
• Product placement in film
• 1988 in film