Alright, settle in, pop that tape in the VCR (mentally, at least), and ignore the slightly fuzzy tracking lines for a moment. We're diving back into the wonderfully weird world of Ernest P. Worrell with 1993's Ernest Rides Again. KnowhutImean? This one often gets lost in the shuffle, maybe because it marked a shift for our denim-clad hero, but pulling this off the shelf always felt like settling in for guaranteed, goofy comfort food.
Back in the Saddle, Sort Of
Remember when Ernest movies were practically an annual event? After a string of hits under the Disney/Touchstone banner like Ernest Goes to Jail (1990) and Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), Ernest Rides Again saw creator and director John R. Cherry III take the reins independently via Emshell Producers Group. You could almost feel the slight budget shift on screen, like maybe the craft services table wasn't quite as lavish, but the core Ernest energy? Oh, it was still there, largely thanks to the sheer force of nature that was Jim Varney. This time, Ernest is a janitor (naturally) at a local college, palling around with history professor Dr. Abner Melon (Ron James, returning as the straight man, though a different character than previous films). Melon is obsessed with finding the lost Crown Jewels of England, supposedly hidden inside a giant, ridiculously oversized Revolutionary War cannon named "Goliath." Of course, Ernest accidentally fires the cannon (because, Ernest), embedding it in his trusty, long-suffering pickup truck, and suddenly they're on the run from a nefarious collector (Tom Butler) who also wants the cannon.
The Varney Vortex
Let's be honest: you didn't watch an Ernest movie for intricate plotting or subtle character arcs. You watched it for Jim Varney. And Ernest Rides Again, like its predecessors, is a showcase for his unique brand of rubber-faced, high-energy physical comedy. Varney throws himself into every pratfall, every double-take, every mangled expression with infectious gusto. Watching him contort himself trying to deal with the massive cannon lodged in his truck bed, or navigate the increasingly absurd situations, is still genuinely funny. He was Ernest P. Worrell, embodying the character's well-meaning clumsiness and surprising moments of accidental competence. It's a performance that might look broad today, but there was an art to his specific brand of chaos. Trivia alert: Varney was apparently fiercely protective of the Ernest character, often improvising lines and bits of physical business that became signature moments. You can feel that commitment here; even when the script wobbles, Varney never does.
Cannon Fodder and Practical Gags
While not an "action" film in the Die Hard sense, Ernest Rides Again leans heavily into slapstick and vehicular mayhem, all done with that glorious 90s practical touch. The central gag – that enormous cannon, "Goliath" – is a fantastic piece of prop work. Seeing it realistically (well, movie-realistically) embedded in Ernest's truck and causing havoc is the kind of tangible absurdity that defined the era. Remember the sheer weight things seemed to have in movies back then? When the cannon fires, or when Ernest's truck takes another impossible beating, it feels physical. The sequence where Ernest inadvertently turns the cannon into a vacuum cleaner, sucking up everything in sight, is pure, unadulterated silliness achieved through clever practical effects and editing, not seamless CGI. There's a certain charm to seeing the wires, perhaps, or knowing real stunt performers were executing those near-misses. It feels grounded, even when it's completely ridiculous. Filmed primarily around Vancouver, British Columbia, the locations give it a slightly different feel from some of the earlier, often Nashville-shot entries, but the spirit remains.
KnowhutImean, Vern?
The plot is flimsy, sure, and Tom Butler's villain feels a bit generic, even for an Ernest movie. But the dynamic between Ernest and Dr. Melon (Ron James, doing his reliable best to keep a straight face amidst the chaos) provides the necessary heart. John R. Cherry III, having directed most of Ernest's outings, knew exactly what formula worked: put Ernest in an extraordinary situation, surround him with slightly exasperated allies and cartoonish villains, and let Varney cook. While critics at the time were typically unkind (as they often were to Ernest), the film found its audience, as most Ernest adventures did, on home video. Renting this felt like a safe bet for a Friday night – you knew you were getting laughs, gags, and that familiar, twangy "KnowhutImean?"
It might not be the absolute peak of Mount Ernestmore (Scared Stupid perhaps holds that title for many), but Ernest Rides Again delivers exactly what it promises: 90 minutes of good-natured, goofy fun powered by one of comedy's most unique physical performers. It’s a testament to a time when family comedies could be a little rough around the edges, rely on pure performer charisma, and feature plots involving historically significant artillery lodged in pickup trucks.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: While undeniably silly and formulaic, Ernest Rides Again succeeds entirely on the strength of Jim Varney's energetic performance and some genuinely funny practical gags. It lacks the polish of the Disney entries and the plot is paper-thin, preventing a higher score, but for fans of the character and era-specific slapstick, it delivers comfortable, nostalgic laughs.
Final Thought: It may not pack the cinematic wallop of its namesake cannon, but Ernest Rides Again is a perfectly preserved slice of 90s VHS goofballery, proving that sometimes, all you need is a denim vest, a big heart, and a ridiculously oversized prop.