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Capone straps on his loin cloth to review the hit-and-miss YEAR ONE!!!
Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here.
Baffling. That's the first and last word that pops into my head when I contemplate Harold Ramis' biblical comedy YEAR ONE, a bizarre throwback of a movie that feels like the Mel Brooks movie that Brooks never actually got around to making. I have this deep, sure thought that Ramis had something much more intellectually complex going on when he first conceived of this movie (he's credited with the story and as co-writer with frequent "The Office" scribes Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg), perhaps something a little more dangerous, something that challenged the very existence of organized religion or questioned whether God even exits. There are shreds of that in YEAR ONE, but the guts of this film feel ripped out and replaced with fart jokes, dick jokes (foreskin jokes, to be precise) and sex jokes. Some of the joking is ridiculously funny; I probably laughed out loud a good dozen times. But most of the jokes just sit there looking for that one dude in the audience that will laugh at pretty much anything. You know who you are.
I had to tough time wrapping my brain around the idea that this was the same man who gave us ANIMAL HOUSE, CADDYSHACK, STRIPES, GHOSTBUSTERS, GROUNDHOD DAY, and grossly under-appreciated THE ICE HARVEST. Even at their most base, these films had a brain and cleverness behind each gross-out joke. But YEAR ONE feels more like the kitchen-sink approach to comedy--throw as many funny people and juvenile situations at the crowd as possible and something is bound to hit. Look for cameos from nearly every member of the Judd Apatow (one of the film's producers) extended family: Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, Christopher Mintz-Plasse--hell, even Ramis himself (who was in KNOCKED UP and WALK HARD) appears as Adam, father of Cain and Abel (David Cross and Rudd, respectively). And very often, the film will make you laugh, but boy is it trying way too hard when simply a smarter draft of the script would have done the trick.
Part of the problem is Jack Black as horny-caveman-turned-holy warrior Zed. Those of us who have been following Black for years have got his routine down pretty much. He's a loud talker, blurting out his lines like a small cannon, and we love him, but he works best when he tosses in a bit of actual acting. Compare his work here to what he does in TROPIC THUNDER; the difference is subtle, but it's there. Michael Sera also has a set of mannerisms that I'm beginning to get overly familiar with, but he's much funnier in YEAR ONE. I don't know whether he's getting better dialogue than Black, or if he keeps making them sound funnier. Either way, I laughed far more at his character of Zed's best buddy, the lovesick Oh. The pair travel though the Old Testament, meeting Adam and his family, the foreskin-obsessed Abraham (Hank Azaria) and his people, and visiting Sodom and Gomorrah.
I could literally go scene by scene and say, "That was funny, that wasn't funny, that wasn't funny, that was funny," but the idea of evaluation bit after bit doesn't appeal to me. But weirdly enough that's how my mind is thinking of Year One, in terms of what scenes worked and which didn't. The moments with Abraham wanting to chop off every foreskin is hilarious; Kyle Gass' cameo as a eunuch (if you aren't laughing at just the idea of that, you will hate this movie); Cain attempting repeatedly to slay Abel, these are all bits that work. But most of the stuff in Sodom falls flat, even the scenes between Cera and the usually reliable Oliver Platt as the city's high priest who loves sacrificing virgins to the gods and when men rub oil on his hairy chest; none of it is that great or memorable.
But there are some big ideas floating around in this film that almost get lost in the pedestrian humor. In an early scene in which Black is contemplating eating an apple from the forbidden tree of knowledge, Cera says, "It's not about fruit, it's about doing what you're told." Is he talking about the very basis of religious? Later in the film Cera ponders the notions that maybe God doesn't exist. Heavy stuff that seems slightly out of place for a film like this. The first song in YEAR ONE's closing credits is Cracker's "I See the Light," the chorus of which goes, "I see the light at the end of the tunnel now / Someone please tell me, it's not a train." It's a cautionary song about looking for enlightenment in a higher power, and it seems appropriately placed in this movie. Too bad the movie doesn't actually ponder this or any other weightier issues just a little bit more.
I suppose I took away some joy at watching Black on fire for the entire movie and Cera's fruitless attempts at putting out the flames one thimbleful of water at a time. Cera's under-his-breath quips result in some of the movie's biggest laughs, but you have to plow through a lot of amateur-hour-type material to get to those moments. I'm not sure who gave up first, but I'd have to lay the blame at Ramis' feet. He's far too talented to let something like this film happen without his knowledge. My firm belief is that he thought he was going for something a bit retro and instead it became The Jack Black Show whether he wanted it to or not. That's too bad; the world is in desperate need of some truly biting satire aimed squarely at practice and pretense of religion, and YEAR ONE ain't that.
-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com
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when will he learn?
first. Ta. -
least i read the review
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Any film that does that can't be all bad.
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Jun 19, 2009 10:57:37 AM CDT
"That's too bad; the world is in desperate need of some truly bi
by mr_incredible
aimed squarely at practice and pretense of religion."
Well, there's LIFE OF BRIAN, or is that one too long ago now? -
Jun 19, 2009 11:24:48 AM CDT
Is he talking about the very basis of religious?
by one_guy_from_andromeda
With this and "...Cera ponders the notions that maybe God doesn't exist. Heavy stuff..." I am pretty much convinced now that you are at least bordering on retardation, Capone. Don't get all Beaks on us please.
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...then he didn't give us "Ghostbusters." Ivan Reitman did. Thanks for the review. Still not sure if I'll be catching it this weekend.
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Jun 19, 2009 11:34:46 AM CDT
getting really tired of the individual "schtick"
by my friends call me killjoy
being performed in most comedies these days. Every Will Ferrell movie is him playing a likeable, yet overly confident bafoon. I'm tired of Jack Black performing rock music with his mouth in every one of his movies (yes there's a scene like this in Year One). Michael Cera is playing that same Superbad character that has trouble with the girls but tosses out funny one-liners under his breath. This stuff has to stop. What happened to the days when comedians brought their unique sensibilities to a CHARACTER? Where's Peter Sellers?
That's why we loved The Hangover, I think. It's a group of guys that general audiences aren't that familiar with. We didn't know how each one of them would make us laugh ahead of time. Those other guys are just doing their stand-up routine in the middle of a movie. I hate it! -
Why are all the same people doing the cameos? Paul Rudd, Bill Hader (someone please give him his own movie, like now), Jonah Hill, etc.?
Where's the cool, unexpected cameos?
Remember how cool it was to see Tim Robbins in Anchorman? That's the kind of off-the-wall-shit I'm talking about. More of that please. -
I'm a Christian and I thought this looked funny.
I even liked Dogma. We aren't all Westboro Baptist/Capalert types, y'know. :p -
Chris Farley would have played all of Jack Black's roles if he didn't die.
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Chris Farley couldn't have played that character. Black has more range than Farley, but yes, I see your point.
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Getting comedians and hoping their natural "funnyness" will carry the film isn't enough, in fact, it usually backfires. Watching somebody who is funny do something funny isn't as funny as watching somebody who isn't funny do something funny.
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that must have been confusing on set to have had michael sera and michael cera there
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Jun 19, 2009 12:36:35 PM CDT
"the world is in desperate need of some truly biting satire aime
by fireball xl-5
Seriously? This is where editors used to come in handy.
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...is our generations Peter Sellers. Give him time. The guy has great comedic timing, and soon he will show his dramatic side.
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cuz everyone seems to hate every comedian in existence today.
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on blue material, especially when it's in the hands of less skilled actors like Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jack Black. Sasha Baron Cohen is however a genius at doing blue as knows just how to elicit reactions from people.
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Zach Galifinakis is another great one.
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But I've been working in ministry for the last 8 years. If you really don't think that religion isn't widely and consistentally poked, prodded, satirized, and jabbed at in the culture at large, either in the day to day or in the public consciousness, you haven't been paying attention. Wheter it's a matter of degree or frequency, it's a normal thing. For some people, too much is never enough. I've loved Ramis' work since I was a kid but it's plain hypocritical to treat Some traditions with kid gloves and others with a thorough ribbing. He's free to do whatever he wants, but since film is practically a monologue on the part of the director, I can choose to leave the room. Pass.
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Jun 19, 2009 1:12:27 PM CDT
Jack Black: Card carrying member of the overated asshole club
by largojr
I don't think he's funny, I think hes another spastic asshole desperate for attention and realizes the ONLY things that makes him popular are his being pathetic, fat, and an endless parade of fart jokes in every single film he somehow manages to land his ass in.
Isn't it time for him to suffer the same graceless end that has taken SO many far more talented actors from us?
I for one certainly won't miss him.. and Tenacious D isn't a good enough reason to keep him around, as Kyle is too good a musician to be saddled with this galloping fucktard his whole career -
Jun 19, 2009 1:38:54 PM CDT
wait til Galifinakis is in another movie. the haters will come o
by bmacsmith
its only a matter of time.
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Yeeeeeeeeeah!! You win Judd!! You win!!Thanks Capone. Absolutely not paying to see this piece of shit now.
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The only movie I've seen him was in King Kong, although I've heard School of Rock was a good movie. He didn't seem to be doing schticks associated with him in K.K., for which I'm glad.
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i just hate how every plot is the same. one or two beautiful, successful women are inexplicably attracted to a poor, pathetic, fat slob loser who's only redeemable quality is that he is funny. its all one big geek fantasy. Sarah Marshall was the worst of the bunch. I hated the guy, and couldnt figure out why two insanely hot chicks were at all interested in him. a fucking puppeteer? really? the people are funny though. i like Rogen, Rudd, Hill and whoever else.
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"That's too bad; the world is in desperate need of some truly biting satire aimed squarely at practice and pretense of religion"
I'm sorry, what? -
nope. cant think of one.
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No shit, Sherlock... Jack Black is ALWAYS part of the problem in any movies he sullies. That's a given. Here's a few more caveats of wisdom so that you may emerge from this weekend unscathed:1.) The sun rises in the east.2.) George W.Bush was a naughty, naughty man.3.) Don't eat the yellow snow.Happy hunting, Capone... and the next time you see a caveman movie, don't expect some high concept meditation on God or religion.
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Trying to sound nice to get another interview, I'm thinking.
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Suck nowadays. Going to see The Hangover tonight, but prepared to be let down. Every comedy lately that I've been told was hilarious was not. Wedding Crashers, Sarah Marshall, Superbad. These are considered modern comedy classics? I laugh more at shit on tv like the office and Curb your enthusiasm than any film comedy lately. They just don't make 'em like they used to.
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Black's best role and performance remain in Orange County.
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Best role was in High Fidelity. Tropic Thunder was one recent comedy that delivered.
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National Lampoon's latest piece of shit and decided it would be a good idea to redo it with a major studio budget and put Jack Black and Michael Sera in it?
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It was OK but not LOL, ROFL, LMAO,
or whatever bullshit internet lingo
one might not describe it. Save your
mind Sailor_Ripley and check out MOON. That's M-O-O-N, Moon! -
It was OK but not LOL, ROFL, LMAO,
or whatever bullshit internet lingo
one might not describe it. Save your
mind Sailor_Ripley and check out MOON. That's M-O-O-N, Moon! -
I didn't laugh or remember laughing at anything.
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Trust me, Moon is the movie I am dying to see, but I have to go to downtown Chicago and pay $100 to see it if I want to.
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Wasn't The Stoned Age a stoner comedy that came out around the same time as Dazed & Confused, about a couple of guys looking for a couple of girls visiting from out of town to party with? Is there another film with the same name? I did an IMDB search but only came up with the one I'm familiar with (and it wasn't National Lampoon as far as I know).
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I know that sounds bad, but wow. It looks like it was shot in Jack Black's back yard.
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with your greazy grandpappy, but im going to get laid.
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Jun 19, 2009 5:21:06 PM CDT
not liking a movie doesnt make it overrated, just so you know.
by bmacsmith
what rating system are you using btw?
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As soon as Apatow got involved, I mentally checked out. Judd is so incredibly unfunny, I can't begin to describe it. He doesn't understand true satire; he doesn't understand subtlety and understatement and he sure as FUCK can't identify talented actors. Seth Rogen? Paul Rudd? These guys play the same recurring role (with maybe one film a piece that broke away from their shtick). He should start casting Will Ferrell as the cocky man-child and have Chris Tucker scream every line for good measure. Why do people buy tickets to this shit? Ramis - you owe us better than EVER letting a hack like Apatow pollute your work. Shame on you, Harold.
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Jun 19, 2009 5:32:10 PM CDT
"That one dude in the audience that will laugh at pretty much an
by jackpumpkinhead
There are many of them. They watch "Family Guy". And write it.
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that it doesn't satirize organized religion cleverly enough? That a movie starring Jack Black and Michael Cera isn't a biting political satire? This sounds like....unnecessary bitterness towards religion, instead of a realistic review...
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cause, wow, that movie was shit.
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And it's far better and funnier.
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Jun 19, 2009 9:33:39 PM CDT
That dude in the audience was this chick in front of me
by cherryvalance
Half-laughed the whole time. I don't know what at because she never stopped. Even when nothing was happening.
I laughed once. I forgot why. I might as well admit right now to not knowing why Ramis is supposed to be funny. Methinks his previous successes have to do with the other actors involved. And I strongly disliked History of the World part 1 so I already pretty much knew I wasn't going to like this. I just feel with that kind of comedy people laugh because they know they're supposed to, not because it actually strikes them as funny.
I never thought I'd say this but Oliver Platt was the only thing I liked. Michael Cera's schtick got old in the middle of this movie. I don't want to see that again. In the AD movie they should recast George Michael with the singer/songwriter. And that kid needs to lift at least one weight or eat half a sandwich. And why cast Rudd as Abel? Seriously. The whole thing seemed so half-assed. It kinda pissed me off. -
Take it for what it is. I've had enough of those trying-to-be-serious-but-at-the-same-time-trying-to-be-funny movies.
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Galfinakis is gold right now and will be for the next two flicks. Then the paychecks will get bigger and the movies shittyer (I've never tried to spell that before)and everyone will wonder if he was ever funny at all.
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I just saw Year One about twenty minutes ago and-- it's by far the worst comedy I've seen this year. Which sucks but it had a lot of potential to be something phenomenal. Throughout the entire thing I was thinking to myself "Man, someone needs to take Jack Black down a notch"; the man is funny is bursts, but when his placed in front of you for an entire two hours it almost feels like your watching a two year old make fart noises for attention. I only have one thing to say about Michael Cera; there is definitely a statue of limitations on his career because when he hits 30 that coy "I'm a shy teenager" shtick is just going to make him look retarded.
In other news (and I'll probably get shit for this)!
I don't really care for Zach Galifianakis. His stand up isn't really that impressive and reflects highly on his comedic acting; it's just off color statements to the tune of a piano. I understand a lot of people dig that style of stand up, but it's never been my cup of tea (which is probably why I never cared for Mitch Hedberg.)
The Hangover was decent but far from memorable; in fact it seemed like a film compiled off stuff that worked in previous comedies that hit well but failed to strike as hard the second time around. Zach did save that movie though, without him it would have been Very Bad Thing's without a murder and any comedy. -
did a lot of drinking tonight, which explains the massive amount of typos in my last post. Apologies in advance to over critical douche-bags.
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We don't love him Capone. We were slightly transfixed by his novelty schtick a few years ago and he's proven to be a one-note gag since. Oh sure, he tries "acting" in a couple of movies, but like Will Ferrell, he's completely stuck in doing his primary routine over and over and over again. Lovable loser? No, sir. This guy is just a loser.
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Most of these guys writing comedies work the comedy clubs and ALL of their material is blue. I agree with you, I have a hard time recalling a comedy that was successful without the blue material. We are a long way from the next DR. STRANGELOVE that's for sure...
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Someone brought this up in a TB the other day and I'm going to agree. It makes it hard to take a review seriously when it has more grammatical errors than a typical high school English paper.
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I have said enough...
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...jesus...when will the public have enough of this loser... He's not even fit enough to lace Mos Def's boots... -
Jun 20, 2009 2:30:29 PM CDT
Friday BO numbers this movie is losing to the Proposal
by spectrebeeyatch
Didn't see that coming.
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This turd nugget of a flick is doing poorly. Cut the horseshit, Cera, you one-trick pony tampon lick, and sign onto the Arrested Development movie!
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