Movie Review: Encino Man (1992)

★★★★★

Goofy, warm-hearted, and endlessly quotable, and is still a blast 30 years later.

Mike Z.

Washington

The early 90s were a strange, beautiful time for teen comedies. There was neon everywhere, grunge on the rise, and MTV practically glued to every living room. Somewhere in that mix, Disney’s Touchstone Pictures decided to make a movie about a caveman going to high school. Encino Man (1992) sounds ridiculous, and it is, but it’s also one of those movies that’s more clever and warm-hearted than it gets credit for.

As a reviewer for BoxReview.com, I’ve seen countless “fish out of water” comedies. Most follow the same formula: a stranger in a strange land, some culture clash jokes, a conflict, then a heartwarming resolution. Encino Man follows that blueprint, sure, but it adds something I rarely see discussed: the caveman isn’t the only one adapting; the modern-day characters have just as much to learn.

The Setup: Ice, Ice, Baby

Our story kicks off with Dave (Sean Astin), a well-meaning but socially invisible teenager in Encino, California, who spends his days dreaming of popularity. Along with his eccentric best friend Stoney (Pauly Shore, at peak “weasel” energy), he accidentally discovers a frozen caveman while digging a backyard pool.

After thawing him out, they dub him “Link” (Brendan Fraser in his first major comedic role) and try to pass him off as a foreign exchange student. The premise is absurd, like something a 12-year-old might invent on a sugar high, but that’s part of the charm.

Brendan Fraser’s Physical Comedy Masterclass

Most reviews acknowledge that Brendan Fraser is the breakout star here, but they tend to focus on his “big” moments, the grunts, the dances, the wild facial expressions. What’s less talked about is how controlled and precise his physical performance is.

Fraser plays Link as a character constantly absorbing the world around him, eyes darting, muscles twitching, movements evolving scene by scene. By the end of the movie, his posture, walk, and even his head tilt have shifted subtly to reflect his growing comfort in this strange new world. It’s a surprisingly nuanced arc for a character who communicates mostly in single words and exaggerated gestures.

The Real Friendship Story

It’s easy to think Encino Man is about Link fitting into modern society, but the real emotional core is the friendship between Dave and Stoney. Most buddy comedies pit the two friends against each other at some point, and while Encino Man does have its share of conflict, there’s a refreshing loyalty in how these two operate.

Stoney, especially, is the unsung hero of the film. Pauly Shore’s style isn’t for everyone, but here he plays Stoney as a surprisingly grounded moral compass. He accepts Link without judgment, and his laid-back philosophy is what ultimately helps Dave see that popularity isn’t the goal; connection is.

High School Through a Caveman’s Eyes

One aspect rarely discussed in reviews is how Encino Man uses Link to poke fun at early 90s high school life. From cafeteria politics to driver’s ed chaos, every environment becomes a playground for physical humor and observational comedy.

Link doesn’t rebel against the system; he just doesn’t recognize it, which leads to moments of accidental coolness. He’s popular not because he tries to be, but because he approaches everything with pure enthusiasm. It’s a subtle dig at the performative nature of teen popularity, something I didn’t appreciate until rewatching it as an adult.

The Encino Setting: A Character of Its Own

Many reviews overlook how much the Southern California backdrop shapes the film. The warm, pastel color palette, the suburban streets, and the palm-tree-lined school grounds give the movie a light, breezy tone. It’s a comedy set in a perpetual summer, which makes Link’s thawing from ice feel all the more symbolic.

The 90s Time Capsule Factor

One reason Encino Man has a lasting cult following is that it’s such a perfect 90s time capsule. You’ve got Pauly Shore’s slang (“Weezin’ the juice!”), early skate culture, baggy neon windbreakers, and a soundtrack full of alt-rock and upbeat pop. Watching it now isn’t just watching a movie, it’s like flipping through a high school yearbook from 1992.

The Underappreciated Message

Underneath the goofy humor and caveman gags, Encino Man delivers a surprisingly sweet message about self-acceptance. Dave starts the film desperate to fit into a mold that will make him “cool.” Link, on the other hand, thrives by just being himself, and that authenticity is what earns him friends.

The twist is that Link’s “success” isn’t about becoming modern, it’s about making the people around him more genuine. It’s a subtle, almost accidental lesson in self-worth, wrapped in a movie where a caveman learns to eat burritos.

Why Encino Man Still Works Today

If you strip away the '90s fashion and slang, the core of Encino Man still works because it’s built on universal themes: friendship, belonging, and the idea that being yourself is more valuable than trying to fit in.

And Brendan Fraser’s performance is timeless. There’s a reason his career took off after this. He commits 100% to the role, never winking at the audience, which makes the comedy land even harder.

Final Thoughts

Encino Man isn’t trying to be profound, and it’s not pretending to be a highbrow comedy. It’s a weird, joyful, slightly absurd movie that’s way more charming than it has any right to be.

If you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a perfect Friday night comfort movie, one that will leave you quoting lines, craving a Slurpee, and maybe even reevaluating your own high school memories.

And if you have seen it? Rewatch it. You might be surprised at how much heart is hiding under all that SoCal sunshine and caveman chaos.