I've always enjoyed Will Ferrell's particular brand of humor. I appreciate the fact that the actor is fearless and willing to do anything for a laugh. Then again, I also understand why some people may not be taken in by his broad actions and zany, in-your-face characters. I guess it all comes down to personal preference. Some people find him funny, others just do not.
Ferrell's latest movie, "The Other Guys" isn't likely to win him any new converts. It's another silly endeavor, notable mostly for its A-list supporting cast. Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson and Michael Keaton co-star, playing an assortment of police officers. Jackson and Johnson are the station's stars--the heroic cops like those you see in the movies. Ferrell and Walberg, on the other hand, play "The Other Guys;" average officers content to work behind the scenes while the A-listers grab all the glory.
The humor comes from asking what would happen if these other guys were suddenly thrust into the spotlight. As you might suppose, chaos erupts, along with some sporadic humor and minor moments of action.
Directed by Adam McKay, Ferrell's frequent collaborator, the film has the same feel as "Anchor Man," “Step Brothers” or "Talladega Night." Once again, I find these films to be quite funny, while others rolled their eyes at the broad humor. In something of a surprise, Mark Wahlberg scores some nice laughs here, and it's nice to see him (and the rest of the cast) playing against type so amusingly.
As the film progresses, the crime portion of the story starts to take center stage, and the comedy is shoved aside. I know it's a buddy cop comedy, but did anybody pay money to see Will Farrell in an action flick? No, we're all here for the jokes, and you feel almost cheated when the police procedural takes over.
The bottom line is that "The Other Guys" makes for an okay comedy and a mediocre action flick. There’s nothing bad here, but not much that really shines either. Farrell's fans will laugh. Wahlberg's fans will revel in his unknown comedy chops. Funny movie fans, however, might want to find something funnier in theaters.
Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published bi-weekly in “The Port Arthur News” and weekly on KFDM-TV. Sean welcomes your comments via email at smcbride@kboi2.com.
Movie Guy
Related Photos
-
In this film publicity image released by Columbia Pictures, Mark Wahlberg, left, Steve Coogan amd Will Ferrell are shown in a scene from "The Other Guys." Columbia Pictures
Discussion
'The Other Guys' just don't stand out
- Movie Guy
-
-
The “Men in Black” are back
“Men in Black III”
Columbia Pictures
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Emma Thompson Jemaine Clement and Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13
2 Stars -
Is Sacha Baron Cohen losing his edge?
The Dictator
Paramount Pictures
Directed by Larry Charles
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, Jason Mantzoukas and John C. Reilly
Rated R
3 Stars -
Depp’s oddball character can’t bring ‘Dark Shadows’ into the light
Dark Shadows
Warner Brothers Pictures
Directed by Tim Burton
Starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jonny Lee Miller and Chloe Grace Moretz
Rated PG-13
2 1/2 Stars -
‘Avengers’ team up for great summer fun
The Avengers
Marvel Pictures/Disney Films
Directed by Joss Whedon
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L. Jackson.
Rated PG-13
3.5 stars -
'Think' sells it — the book, that is
“Think Like a Man”
Sony Pictures
Directed by Tim Story
Starring Steve Harvey, Gabriel Union, Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Taraji P. Henson, Romany Malco, Kevin Hart and Chris Brown
Rated PG-13
2 1/2 Stars -
‘Titans’ sequel not much better the second time around
“Wrath of the Titans”
Warner Brothers Pictures
Directed by Jonathan Liebesman
Starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Edgar Ramirez, Toby Kebbell, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Danny Huston and John Bell
Rated PG-13
2 Stars -
‘Mirror Mirror’ is the fairest, and funniest
“Mirror Mirror”
Relativity Media
Directed by Tarsem Singh
Starring Julia Roberts, Lilly Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane and
Rated PG
3 Stars -
‘Hunger Games’ leaves you hungry for more
The Hunger Games
Lionsgate Films
Directed by Gary Ross
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bentley and Donald Sutherland
Rated PG-13
3 Stars -
Big laughs down on ‘Jump Street’
21 Jump Street
Columbia Pictures
Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Rob Riggle, Nick Offerman, Brie Larson, Dave Franco and Ellie Kemper
Rated R
3 Stars -
Camera trickery can’t save mediocre horror flick
“Silent House”
Open Road Films
Directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau
Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens and Julia Taylor Ross
Rated R
2 Stars - More Movie Guy Headlines
-
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
