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Step Brothers
Posted: Jul 23, 2008 in Movies
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How do I adequately describe how much I hated "Step Brothers"?
But before you cry foul about how I don't understand the genius of Will Ferrell, let me note that I worship "Anchorman," and I consider "Old School" a work of contemporary genius.
Heck, I even liked "Talladega Nights."
But even following up on the weak "Semi Pro," it's almost inconceivable that Ferrell and buddy-in-laughs John C. Reilly (whose work in films like "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia" ranks as some of the best of the '90s), would have made a film this horribly, offensively bad.
Ferrell's manchild act is on full display. He and Reilly portray emotionally stunted ne'er-do-wells who haven't read that chapter in life's book titled "Adulthood."
Of course, they have so much in common, like bushy hair, an affinity for cargo shorts and the tendency to destroy things in their sleep, they're destined to be best buds.
When their parents wed, the duo find themselves rivals, for no other reason than that's what two 12-year-old boys would do, especially if they're 40 years old and unemployed, still living at home.
So they do things to each other like "teabagging" the other's prized possessions, hitting each other with shovels, and singing badly.
Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins, who play Ferrell's mother and Reilly's father, are good actors who don't deserve to be in such a haphazard film.
Everything about the production is lackluster, from the comic timing to the editing, and even the makeup. At different points Steenburgen, Reilly and Ferrell all have distractingly bad spray-on tans, giving them the kind of glow they might get walking through a nuclear testing site.
Ferrell must be pulling some sort of Andy Kaufmanesque joke -- his way of saying that if you put out a few good movies, the studios will give you free rein to vomit whatever you please on film.
But who is he poking fun at? The studios, the financiers, or us, who pay to see the films?
No matter who he's laughing at, he's doing it all the way to the bank.
Movie Details
Joe's verdict: One star (out of five)
In a word: Lazy
Rated: R.
Running time: 112 minutes.
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly
Director: Adam McKay
I can't wait. Sounds like my type of movie.
Isn't it kind of funny that a lot of W Ferrell's movies have him living at home with his parent(s) as an adult
Night at the Roxbury Wedding Crashers Talledega Nights Step Brothers
Its just kind of funny to think about
I'm much more looking forward to Pineapple Express, but I might have to see this flick too...it's got a decent rating on Rottentomatoes right now...and that's rare for comedies.
I'm much more looking forward to Pineapple Express, but I might have to see this ...
And let me tell you how shocked I was to see that rottentomatoes rating. I didn't expect critical reaction to be that great. It isn't for the most part anyway with Will Ferrell movies, and this one was actually bad.
I'm looking forward to "Pinapple Express" too...there was a new trailer to it attached to "Step Brothers." "Tropic Thunder" as well.
But, the summer is on the downswing, and on the horizon looms the toilet bowl of the movie year...September. Ugh.
sounds like a typical Will Ferrell Movie... just terrible
You guys have no taste...
Maybe I'll go to the midnight showing
You guys have no taste... Maybe I'll go to the midnight showing
Your funeral. I'm a big Ferrell fan and I was shocked at how bad this was. You'll probably love it the way you love Marcus Nispel and his sissified Leatherface, though. :)
You could not be more wrong about Step brothers. I am a big Will Ferrell fan, but that being said, I didn't think Semi Pro was good at all and even Talledega Nights and Blades of Glory were not on par with Anchorman or Old School. However, this movie is hilarious. While it doesn't reach such legends as Anchorman, it has some scenes that will make you fall out of your chair. Plus, it's one of those movies that gets better as you watch it as there are so many lines that you miss in the movie. I disagree with the reviewer. Go see Step brothers it will make you cry from laughter.
It was hilarious. Your voice is like a mixture of Fergie and Jesus.
I THINK THIS IS A VERY FUNNY MOVIE, THERE IS PEOPLE OUT THERE THINK ,DOES THINK JUST LIKE THESE TWO. GOOD JOB BOYS.
JLSHOTTIE
I just saw it last night. I thought it was pretty hilarious, not a great movie in the sense of acting and such, but a great off-the-wall comedy that is just constant laughs and minimal plot. Just a showcase for Farrell and Reilly to ad-lib lines back and forth. It kinda reminded me of Billy Madison and that made me wish that Adam Sandler would go back to making actually funny movies.
The movie had more one liners than a recovering coke-head. We are gonna be hearing these for a while to come. The first Chewbacca mask scene almost made me fall out of my seat. Much funnier than Semi-Pro and maybe even Talladega Nights. Not the best comedy I've ever seen, but I don't think I've seen a funnier one this year....lets hope Pineapple Express can top this, it looks like it has a plot.