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Annette Kellerman feels out MACGRUBER and tells you how IT feels
Hello all! It's Annette Kellerman again, back with a look at the World Premiere of MacGruber at the SXSW film festival.
Like many of you I'm sure, when I first heard that a feature length version of the Saturday Night Live sketch MacGruber was being made, I thought, "No! Not another one!" I mean, with the acception of Wayne's World, I just haven't really been a huge fan of SNL adaptations. The wit and humor of a 3-5 minute sketch isn't easily translated into feature form, much less the ultra-brief, perpetually-doomed MacGruber segments. Also, the fact that the entire basis of the sketch is a not-so-subtle homage to another TV "Mac" hero that improvises his way out of peril with everyday items, would seem to make a MacGruber feature dangerously close to a full on spoof. The only saving grace, I thought, was the fact that the main players- Will Forte as MacGruber and Kristen Wiig as his sidekick Vicki St. Elmo- would be reprising their roles. So when I attended the world premeire at the Paramount theater, I guess I have to admit that though I wanted to give the comedy a shot, my expectations were pretty low. To my utter surprise and delight, MacGruber totally exceeded my underestimation. The ridiculousness of the sketch carries over quite well to the big screen, and a feature length canvas allows for ample opportunity to explore the ludicrous MacGruber character and back story.
The plot is your basic revenge/hero tale with MacGruber emerging from self-imposed exile to stop the "bad guy with the nuke" while simultaneously avenging his wife's murder. The storyline employs all the bells and whistles from the late 80's early 90's action formula, but manages to do so without turning in to a full-on spoof. This context of an almost-legit action flick is the perfect backdrop to balance out the completely inept antics of our hero. Everyone in the film seemingly plays the straight man opposite MagGruber's clown, and somehow it really works. The gags are completely off the wall, the laughs are big, and the raunch factor is in full effect.
Will Forte pulls out all the stops in this appropriately over the top rendition of the character he originated on SNL. Every quip, facial contortion, and pratfall is perfectly in sync and was received with big laughs. Ryan Phillipe is surprisingly well-paired as the straight man to Forte's buffoon. As the villain Deiter Von Cunth (you read it right), Val Kilmer chews up every frame he appears in, reminding us that even while playing a laughable baddie in a goofball comedy he commands our respect and adoration. The only sore spot for me in the entire film I really hate to even admit. I love, love, love Kristen Wiig, but her Vicki St. Elmo just didn't do it for me. I blame the writers. Since the original sketches only hint at her character, it seems like they could have gone just about anywhere with her, but alas, Wiig was left with an awkward, quite, girly girl to portray. Only at the very end of the film is that hilarious spark rekindled when Wiig finally gets to exclaim "30 seconds MacGruber!" like she famously does in the sketch, but by this time the line feels like its from an entirely different character. Shame on the writers for forsaking such an amazing talent!
So despite that one gripe, I think director Jorma Taccone has a verifiable hit on his hands. I've been a fan of Jorma and his Lonely Island crew for a while now. I still laugh out loud on a regular basis while singing "Jizz In My Pant's" around the house, so I guess I really shouldn't be so surprised that I find his stamp on the MacGruber movie so enjoyable. When the film hits theaters, it will be interesting to see how yet another Saturday Night Live adaptation goes over with audiences. My bet is on sweet success for Lorne Michaels and his crew.
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That is all
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I think you mean exception.
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I think this movie will find it's audience post theatrical run, though.
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DDDDDDDDDouchebag!
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Douchebaggins
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This sites meant to be professional isnt it?
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...which is to say she would probably communicate more effectively using a system of buzzes, chirps and clicks.
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Yep, plant.
And a plant who writes badly, I might add. -
He is usually brillant in films like Top Secret! and Real Genius.
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Blues Brothers was another good SNL sketch converted movie. And although they're not good, I always find myself laughing at Superstar and Night at the Roxburry (and I'm ashamed of it)
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when you write something like "My bet is on sweet success for Lorne Michaels and his crew" you sound enough like a plant that it really makes no difference whether you actually are one or not. But it does beg questions like "does she write so poorly to seem more realistic?" Supposedly George Bush Sr. used to make mistakes on purpose when speaking to seem more folksy. The son was just an actual idiot.
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...but, seriously, if you guys won't hire an editor at least use spell check on your word processing software to try to make yourselves look sorta professional.
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oh well, it's not my money or name attached to this
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like thats gonna happen
A field larger than a postage stamp to post in would be nice too
As long as I'm wishing for shit that ain't gonna happen -
the guy just isn't funny
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Both mentioned here: The Blues Brothers and Wayne's World. Still, I gotta try this one. Fairly big MacGyver fan here.
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the contributors lack a fucking spell check as well?
Or a high school education? -
A little proofreading goes a long way. ...and they wonder why internet people aren't considered real journalists.
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It's just THE WRONG WORD. I'm not sure which is worse (kind of like "intensive purpose")We've made it to where a positive review equates to this:
"To my utter surprise and delight, MacGruber totally exceeded my underestimation." -
LOTS of folks, INCLUDING several douche-bags here at AICN tried the same 'hype it to success' method with 'Land Of The Lost'
Didn't work then.. isn't working now...
We already know that a mildly funny 5 minute sketch becomes a 2 hour root canal without Novocain when adapted to the big screen.
Someone deserves to be kicked in the balls repeatedly for making this. -
because you can get all sorts of cool toppings, and the cheese is, like, really tasty.
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Kristen Wiig is finally getting the recognition she deserves...as a piss poor comedic actress. She does nothing but take the air out of everything she is in so she gets the laugh.
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Or is this "review character" just for planting positives for an otherwise shit film? In case I made you sad, Annette, here's something sure to make you LAUGH out LOUD: "Jizz in my pants." There. All better?
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There's no such word as "acception," Dooks. Or a spell checker on any AICN writer's compooter.
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Imagine having to read an entire paragraph or sentence(s) of "uh... um..." or having to read pages of completely worthless/off-topic info. WTB more "Grammar Nazi Hypocrits", roflmao. Oh, thanks for the early review.
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Am I the only person who thinks Jizz in my Pants is about the worst thing Lonely Island have ever done? I have friends who are still obsessed with it and it just does nothing for me.
Val Kilmer should definitely do more comedy tho. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang was a great role for him. -
I remember a couple of reviews that thought "Get Smart" was fun and clever. Fuck that, besides, I don't trust the reviews on this site hardly ever, and this won't be one of them. When it looks like shit, and it smells like shit, it's shit. And I can only watch one Macgruber skit before tuning out, no way I'm seeing this fucking shit.
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does somebody please have a gun
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teh speeling nazis our going toos gets me
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Great movie.
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Just gotta dig up John's bones and prop em up against the counter...
pure gold..
like a license to print you own fucking money.. SO there -
But Jesus Christ, at least have a little pride, and put a little effort into what you write and how you write it. Because honestly, if someone is either too lazy or too stupid to care about how they state their opinions, then why should anyone actually care or be interested in what they have to say? Personally I'll take a well written argument that I happen to disagree with over a horribly written slice of textual shite that happens to side with my own opinion on something any day of the week. Oh well, whatever...
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First line of the last paragraph...that should probably read "veritable" hit....not "verifiable". Fortunately for her...it's a word...just not the one to be used in that sentence...but damn... Also she wrote "its" when it should have been "it's"...
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if you're going to use big (hardly) words. at least spell them right or use them in the correct instance. as soon as i saw acception i stopped reading the review.
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doesn't help things either. i feel he only does that because he wouldn't spot most of the errors.
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Then learn to fucking spell and type properly. I'm not talking about the occasional typo that everyone makes.If you can't spell, if you can't get your point across without looking like you could have been Corky's stunt double on "LIfe Goes On"...then no one will give a fuck what you have to say.WIthout 'acception'.
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www.tinyurl.com/editbttn
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when I was in the 8th grade. And English isn't even my native language. And I'm stupid.
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I could be wrong, but is your SN a "Father Ted" reference?
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I want peoples' deficiencies to be laid out for all to see. I want peoples' lapses in sanity to be laid out for all to see.
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You are correct, sir! Nice catch.
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stupid, but funny as shit..
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So take it with a grain of salt.
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And I usually consider myself a stickler for spelling and grammar! I'll still stand by verifiable though.
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Um...yeah.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Acception -
most of the dudes who post on AICN are. God I remember reading the talkback sections on her reviews and being really grossed out.
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most of the dudes who post on AICN are. God I remember reading the talkback sections on her reviews and being really grossed out.
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No it was terrible as a 3 minute sketch, it was even worse as a full blown movie.
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Fuck ya'll
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with the Apple fellow and the fat jewish boy who's in everything these days. I haven't seen many movies lately so I may be wrong?
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I'm sure none of you have ever made a mistake ever.
Also, why is the reviewer's opinion suddenly invalid because she made an error in word choice? Did you still understand what she meant? If so, then what are you bitching about exactly? Some arbitrary standard of quality created by people that are long dead?
That's silly. -
...Sing about "Jizzing her Pants" ? Oh, i get it. A "lady". Ok, gotcha.
Or, it's some reference to some song or something that people as old as me don't know about. In which case, i guess i should feel ashamed for being out of the loop or something.)
But hey, that's one of the nice things about getting "old". YOU SIMPLY STOP GIVING A FUCK. -
Mar 19, 2010 4:20:45 PM CDT
For the record, the best SNL based movie was office space
by redbull_werewolf
best film based off a SNL sketch was office space hands down
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Only good SNL movie. EVER. And ForEVER. This is a known fact.
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That was Accepted.
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Mar 19, 2010 4:42:50 PM CDT
Kristen Wiig not funny or talented, that's the problem with her
by jt kirk
There's a very odd perception out there that somehow it's always someone else's fault that Kristen Wiig's material ends up falling flat. A co-starring actor. A writer. A director. Anybody but this talentless dipshit who does the same awkward, pushy, tweaky, camera-hogging garbage in everything she's ever performed. As for the rest of this review, I'm not seeing much that says what really works about it. It's more a review of how ya felt, not how it was. Ok, that's fine I suppose, but it's pretty subjective.Here are the "good" SNL movies: The Blues BrothersThat's it. Here are the ones that are ok at best, but at least had something going for them:Wayne's WorldConeheads (not brilliant, but it works at what it's trying to do for the most part)Stuart Saves His Family (underrated, not great, but works well for the '90s)And here are the movies they completely dropped the ball with:Wayne's World 2It's PatBlues Brothers 2000A Night at the RoxburySuperstarThe Ladies Man
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Mar 19, 2010 4:49:27 PM CDT
why does no one include office space in their SNL lists
by redbull_werewolf
i'm positive that film was based off a sketch from SNL in the early 90's... am i worng, why does office space not fall into the SNL films category?
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Office Space was by the guy who did Beavis and Butthead and based on a comic strip .. not a SNL skit
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Office Space is based on the Milton series of cartoons created by Mike Judge
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Milton was a series of animated shorts created by Mike Judge in 1991. They aired on Saturday Night Live in the mid 1990s
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That guy has me rolling laughing when he does his nervous political candidate Tim Calhoun on weekend update. Hilarious!
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another reason why i didn't finish the review
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if you're professdion is based around writing for a living, you shoould be able to write. i don't hire to a plumber who can't even fix a leak...
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I don't think Office Space counts because it was all Mike Judge and had nothing to do with Lorne Michaels or any other person at SNL. That's why it was good. I'd rather not put a feather in their cap for another "good" movie made from SNL sketches. SNL needs to stop making movies.
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MACGRUBER!
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You're an idiot. AND a moron.
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ewe r un idyat.
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Mar 19, 2010 11:53:00 PM CDT
Since WHEN does the reaction of a SXSW audience....
by mistermanreturns
mean ANYTHING? They are as dependable as an AICN Austin screening. Really.
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I'm just kidding. Keenan sucks ass. Trolls be trolling on these boards.
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That song is fucking hysterical. I wish them luck,cause this movie's got turd written all over it. I felt the same about Hot Rod, I actualy liked most of that movie until it went over board in the parody department.
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The MacGruber sketches are not that funny and 20 years too late...And now a feature based on an unfunny 3 minute sketch? Fucking please!
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is the fact that most of the grammar nazis have misspellings and incorrect punctuation in their own damn posts! Fucking morons.
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Really easy to see the foliage in this one. That being said, it is also interesting that they used some naughty words and actually criticized something...the plants are getting "smarter" in their hoodwinking. Of course, as long as the plant reviews are vapid, emotionless, unrealistic, and insincere, we'll always be able to pick 'em out.
This movie is almost guaranteed to be terrible. The sketch is terrible. The actors involved may be funny at 11:30 pm on a saturday, in 6-minute sketches, but in real movies they can't act. And I think Wiig is absolutely terrible anyway. -
was based on a comic strip. Offhand, I don't know of any link with SNL.
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is pretty half-assed. MILTON didn't originate on SNL. And, since Lorne Michaels had no connection with OFFICE SPACE (which was probably a very good thing) I'd hold off on calling it one of SNL's successes.
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