When in Rome almost lost me with its staid romantic/comedy intro, complete with Beth’s three demographic-grabbing friends (one fat, one cute, one gay) and a laboured social faux pas. But once the plot finally kicked into gear, things improved dramatically.
This is chiefly because of the leads – even hamstrung by weak dialogue and plotting, Bell is never less than engaging and I was surprised by Duhamel, having only previously encountered him as a prop in Transformers and its travesty of a sequel. The duo have decent chemistry and comic timing, and are introduced in a pair of enjoyable set pieces that actually manage to draw a laugh from tired slapstick.
Once back in New York, the lazy genre requirements have to be trundled out, though at least we have the magically infatuated suitors for a bit of distraction. These cameos are easily the most disappointing thing about the film – throwing up names like Danny DeVito, Jon Heder and Will Arnett but giving them absolutely nothing to do.
The character bloat spoils the final act, as the overcomplicated supernatural goings-on have to be resolved, including an utterly dull and seemingly endless scene of exposition to some couch-bound former funny men. There’s some last minute drama and indecision but it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out the ending.
When in Rome is sporadically charming and hopefully will lead to bigger things for the talented Bell. Director Johnson (who made Daredevil - which isn't as bad as you remember - honest!) keeps things going at a good pace and feels most comfortable with the set pieces – like a crazy action scene in a miniature car towards the end. But the comedy cameos are wasted, the supporting characters dull or annoying (apart from the always fantastic Kristen Schaal and some terrible CG effects threaten to spoil the goodwill of the audience. Oh, and there’s a dance sequence over the credits for no discernible reason.
Charming leads and a few laughs mean romantic/comedy fans could do much worse.
3/5
[and yes, the trailer is hopeless obnoxious]
25.6.10
REVIEW - MacGruber
MacGruber started life as a Saturday Night Live parody of the 80s TV show ‘MacGyver’, who made complex and non-violent gadgets out of seemingly innocuous household items. In the short sketches MacGruber, along with his assistant and the celebrity guest of the week, would find himself confronted by a ticking bomb with only seconds to live. Inevitably, the segments ended with the bomb exploding due to his ineptitude; cue polite laughter.
Now, despite these sketches being only mildly amusing at best, the SNL powers that be have decided that MacGruber is the perfect character to reignite their flagging success at the box office in a 90 minute action blockbuster.
The film starts well, playing it straight with a bloodthirsty intro before the (forgiveable)puerile title sequence and the following decent parody of the monastery scene from Rambo III, complete with a gravelly voiced Powers Boothe. It’s in these moments that MacGruber is most effective, when the action movie homage is to the fore and the supporting cast are playing it straight – leaving mulleted Will Forte to ham it up as the title character.
It’s a shame then that much of the rest of the film meanders off in search of laughs, more often earning guilty sniggers from recurring gags like Kilmer’s character name – Dieter Von Cunth. Yes really. A few moments could have been hilarious with better pacing and editing, such as an accidental explosion or an inappropriate human shield but both are over-edited and spoiled mercilessly by the trailers.
Forte is certainly committed to the role, even when sporting a celery suppository there’s never the slightest hint of self-consciousness. But the character lacks a single redeeming quality to make the audience root for him. The talented Kristen Wiig reprises her supporting role from the sketches but her solid comic timing is all but wasted, apart from a nearly titter worthy cafe scene, and you have to wonder how far down the list previously-famous Ryan Philippe was. Kilmer is just amorphous filler with nothing to do, despite proving utterly hilarious with the right material and only schlock-veteran Boothe emerges relatively unscathed.
MacGruber at least tries to flesh out its meagre premise by taking a parodic stab at the action genre with some nods to the ‘MacGyver’ series (there’s a court case pending on the legalities) but the budget is too limited for any decent action and to say that the humour is aimed at the gutter would probably be a compliment. The laughs are few and far between – unless you think defecating on a corpse is comedy gold.
Remember when SNL movies were funny? No, neither do I.
1/5
Now, despite these sketches being only mildly amusing at best, the SNL powers that be have decided that MacGruber is the perfect character to reignite their flagging success at the box office in a 90 minute action blockbuster.
The film starts well, playing it straight with a bloodthirsty intro before the (forgiveable)puerile title sequence and the following decent parody of the monastery scene from Rambo III, complete with a gravelly voiced Powers Boothe. It’s in these moments that MacGruber is most effective, when the action movie homage is to the fore and the supporting cast are playing it straight – leaving mulleted Will Forte to ham it up as the title character.
It’s a shame then that much of the rest of the film meanders off in search of laughs, more often earning guilty sniggers from recurring gags like Kilmer’s character name – Dieter Von Cunth. Yes really. A few moments could have been hilarious with better pacing and editing, such as an accidental explosion or an inappropriate human shield but both are over-edited and spoiled mercilessly by the trailers.
Forte is certainly committed to the role, even when sporting a celery suppository there’s never the slightest hint of self-consciousness. But the character lacks a single redeeming quality to make the audience root for him. The talented Kristen Wiig reprises her supporting role from the sketches but her solid comic timing is all but wasted, apart from a nearly titter worthy cafe scene, and you have to wonder how far down the list previously-famous Ryan Philippe was. Kilmer is just amorphous filler with nothing to do, despite proving utterly hilarious with the right material and only schlock-veteran Boothe emerges relatively unscathed.
MacGruber at least tries to flesh out its meagre premise by taking a parodic stab at the action genre with some nods to the ‘MacGyver’ series (there’s a court case pending on the legalities) but the budget is too limited for any decent action and to say that the humour is aimed at the gutter would probably be a compliment. The laughs are few and far between – unless you think defecating on a corpse is comedy gold.
Remember when SNL movies were funny? No, neither do I.
1/5
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