Cast: Will Ferrell, John C., Reilly

Director: Adam McKay

Screenplay: Will Ferrell

Running time: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Comedy



CRITIQUE:


What one could exactly expect from a Will Ferrell movie? Fart jokes, check. Sex organ banters, check. All that crude lot, ever prevalent in the book of Ferrell comedy – but suffice to say, the gags in Step Brothers are traipsing on a very been-there-done-that territory that barely little feels consummately refreshing. Then again, what can we exactly expect from a movie with a plot that revolves around two forty-something slackers who kick, fart, burp, wallop, cry and throw tantrums like a pair of fourteen year olds? Comedy duo Ferrell (in typical blustery shlub mode) and Reilly (quite versatile, on the other hand) provides enough crackle and funny-bone mojos (both literally and figuratively) to this script, which creaks so obviously that it feels and sounds like five rewrites away from being completely, and effectively hilarious. It is borderline funny when Ferrell and Reilly assimilate teenage behaviour, but whereas the comedy setpieces, they are as freewheeling as they come, sporadically masking holes in the plot of what-if incredibility. Just how many single parents in the world who have scumbags for sons and end up marrying together, with the step-sons sharing both likes and dislikes? Because this is burnished with Hollywood sheen, it is supposed to end up with a family group-hug. But before that, lament at the very silly, and immaturely, conceived finale of Brennan and Dale’s rock-operetta at a wine mixing party, followed by a montage of characters and villains, slowly realising how fantastic and talented these two dunderheads really are. Honestly, if you could flip the channel, please do.


VERDICT:

This alleged laugh-fest comes into question when the mask of Chewbacca is actually funnier than its actors. Step Brothers is a comedy of infantile proportions that it needs to grow up.



RATING: C