Merrick here...


Cpt. Wiggin sent in this look at FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, whose writer/director were just announced as the makers of the new Muppet movie.

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL opens April 18. I haven't seen it, myself, but I'm hearing consistently good things about it.


Here's Cpt. Wiggin...

Hi Harry,

It's Cpt. Wiggin, the "plant" according to some forums for my Never Back Down review a few weeks back :) Caught an early screening of Forgetting Sarah Marshall a while ago and thought I'd "implant" my thoughts into the minds of millions, if interested.

I'll begin by stating the obvious fact that any film finding itself within Judd Apatow's grasp is pure golden whether it be writing, directing or in this case producing. The man is undeniably the Comedic Mythical Midas of our day in a world where the Farrelly Brothers are slipping dramatically in their game flick by flick and Jay Roach is nowhere to be found. Can't wait for Pineapple Express and Year One.

Peter’s girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, is unquestioningly eons out of his league as a TV celebrity star with he as a simple dramatic musical tone composer for tv shows (like the DUN! DUN! in between transitions from Law and Order). Then one day she dumps him. And like what happens to all us silly human beings when dumped in serious relationships we based much of our self worth and meaning on, he’s crushed.

But instead of popping happy pills and flying kites he decides at the approval of a pediatric doctor to go buck wild and screw everything with breath. Then when exhausted and still unfulfilled, he settles on escaping to the Hawaiian Islands for a time of re-finding himself and emotional restoration in a touchy feely Hallmark moment kinda way. Only problem is Sarah decides to reappear in his life with her new wankster wackadoo rockstar Brit of a boyfriend (who ultimately ends up being the funniest lad in the film I thought) as they reside in the neighboring room at the same hotel. Life sucks.

Jason Segal (writer and main lead) took an opposite approach as his supporting role in Knocked Up. Rarely do leads who wrote their own script succeed on the level he did in this movie. (Zach Braff comes to mind) I thought he was great. His performance is believable as a seriously broken dude whose heart was eloquently tossed into a blender and is desperate for restoration. And he balances the humor with emotion with ease. He’ll most definitely score some future lead role kudos with this one.

I’m officially a Kristen Bell fan. Haven't yet had the pleasure of diving into Heroes, nor have I seen any movies starring her though her early role as the "Record Executives Daughter" in Pootie Tang sounds inspirational to say the least, nonetheless, she pulled her weight well as the gorgeous famous Sarah Marshall. Mila Kunis from that 70’s Show was also excellent as the hotel employee/love interest who slowly mends Peter’s heart back into exquisite tranquility. I love the fact that the females in these flicks, aside from serving as gorgeously yummy eye candy, have actual brains accompanied with genuinely unique personalities as opposed to the simple one dimensional softhead bimbo hottie approach. I won't name names. *cough* Eva Mendez *cough* The presence of intelligence makes them that much more alluring and interesting.

But I could have done without the wang excursion parades. I fear with the recent Dewey Cox and Bart Simpson full frontal exposures, comedy filmmakers are believing this adds quality to the humor. I wholeheartedly disagree, cartoon or not. Save it for gay porn.

Anyway, are there clichés? Yes. A typical formula where prediction is fairly simple? Si. But welcome to the world of raunchy romantic comedy where dang near every remotely clever idea has been exhausted and stretched every which way but loose.
I mean honestly, how many different kind of unique spins, formulas and remakes can you really do with these kinds of films these days? That being said, I never rag on a movie with clichés if it works and everything else excels. We watch movies ultimately to be entertained correct? Not nitpickingly dissect every little aspect like some Bio 101 fetal pig. Each actor played their part perfectly.

The one liner deliveries are flawless and excessive. That guys bad! I saw him beat another guys ass with a starfish once! For some reason silly lines like those kill me. There’s priceless cameos all throughout including the best one during the ending credits. And Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock is hilarious as a newly wed unsure of how to please his wife while acting as gay as some cross dressing flamer riding a float in the middle of a gay pride parade in downtown San Francisco singing Better The Devil You Know karaoke.

Although this movie hasn’t dethroned Superbad on my personal hierarchy, I enjoyed it more than Knocked Up and just as much as 40 Year Old Virgin. Stamp of approval.

Peace/east G’s.