Step Brothers Ain’t So Bad

This movie made me laugh from my chest pubes all the way down to my balls fro. Will Ferrell took a break from a long string of sports movies and is laugh-out-loud funny once again. Don’t expect anything highbrow from this film though, it’s laced with penis jokes and profanity—often paired together.

The story centers around Brennan Huff, played by Ferrell, and Dale Doback, played by John C. Reilly, and their journey from live-at-home 40 year olds to “responsible” adults.

Brennan and Dale are forced together as step brothers after their parent’s marriage, and the first half of the film follows their journey from mortal enemies to best friends, unfortunately that journey also results in their newly married parents getting divorced. The second half of the film is all about Brennan and Dale’s mission to get them back together.

It’s safe to say this picture is carried by the chemistry between Reilly and Ferrell; this is certainly not a one-man show. The movie’s premise of staying in touch with your inner child while meeting all of your adult responsibilities is perfect for Reilly and Ferrell. Who better to play 40-year-old overgrown children than actual 40-year-old overgrown children?

These two haven’t worked together since 2006’s Talladega Nights and coincidentally this is the best movie either has made in two years. Reilly has moved from the role of Ferrell’s sidekick to sharing the spotlight and the results are fantastic.

Ferrell and Reilly feed off of each other the whole movie, neither trying to overshadow the other, but taking turns standing at center stage. They’re like a stripper and her body glitter; both may be good separately, but together it’s a whole new level. I haven’t seen a comic duo this good since Chris Farley and David Spade.

This movie is full of over-the-top humor that Ferrell is famous for—characters taken to the extreme, uncomfortable situations that no sensible person could ever find themselves in, and lots and lots of shouting—but since everything in the movie is over the top none of it seems unnatural.

The best example of this may be the juxtaposition of Brennan and his younger brother Derek, played by Adam Scott. Derek is a hyper-masculine, successful yuppie family man, who is constantly harassing Brennan, the broke, socially inept, mama’s boy. Their awkwardness culminates in an attempted hug that may have well been a fight but ends with a high five. The whole scene was incredibly uncomfortable for both involved and everyone who had to watch, but hilarious at the same time. Neither character would as funny without the other.

The movie does get a little slow during the last half when the story is forced to take center stage to move the film along, but it’s for a tolerably short time that soon ends with a Billy Joel cover band that only plays 80’s Joel. Trust me, that’s actually funny.

In summary, if you like night-vision goggles, samurai swords signed by Randy Jackson, and drum sets getting tea bagged you will like this movie.

One Comment

  1. crunchy says :

    I can’t believe I haven’t seen this movie yet. I can’t wait. Way to kind of tell part of it Mr. Author-man, but I’m still excited.

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