Movie Reviews: STEPBROTHERS

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Movie Reviews: STEPBROTHERS
IN THEATERS




STEPBROTHERS




Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) have one thing in common: they are both lazy, unemployed leeches who still live with their parents. When Brennan's mother and Dale's father marry and move in together, it turns the overgrown boys' world upside down. Their insane rivalry and narcissism pull the new family apart, forcing them to work together to reunite their parents.




Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, Adam Scott




Director: Adam McKay




Opens July 25, 2008




Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min.




Rated R for crude and sexual content, and pervasive language




Genres: Farce, Buddy Film, Comedy




Review:




What would happen if you removed any and all story elements from all of Will Ferrell's previous films? You end up with Stepbrothers. Not bothered by creating anything too detailed or deep, not that Ferrell ever does but here more so, giving Ferrell and John C. Reilly pretty much have free reign to play the parts of grown children. Raunchy, zany and some times incredibly funny Stepbrothers really shoots for the lowest denominator. It's the type of comedy that requires that you check your brain at the door. Adam Mckay directs this film with the good sense to never linger too long on any joke and keeps the film moving at a spry pace. Ferrell has his man child shtick down pat and here it on full display. John C. Reilly matches him move for move and they both do seem to enjoy working with each other quite a bit. The combination makes for a whirlwind of jackassery at the highest level. Playing the straight man and woman, Richard Jenkins and Mary Steenburgen do an admirable job here, it helps they share some real chemistry together. Adam Scott gives a fun performance as Ferrell's younger brother who's the exact opposite of his elder brother. Brisk and unabashedly irreverent Stepbrothers is a film that knows what it is and never tries to be more than that. It's got plenty of laughs but if you know you don't enjoy Ferrell's man child antics this isn't going to change your mind.




B