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Sunday, September 7, 2008
Movie Review: Step Brothers
‘Step Brothers’ is lacking
By Ella Parker
2theadvocate.com
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PLAY OFFICIAL TRAILER
Really? Can this ‘really’ be a film?
Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) become stepbrothers when their respective mother, Nancy (Mary Steenburgen), and father, Robert (Richard Jenkins), marry. However, the comic act revolves around the fact that these two guys are in their 40s—and still living at home.
“Step Brothers” is typical for this kind of genre, and it even has a number of memorable one-liners that are sure to become popular. There is no doubt that the viewers will walk away remembering this phrase or that phrase, but I wonder who will actually walk away having enjoyed the plot.
Overall, the storyline is lacking. This is a strength and weakness. It allows the writers (Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly) to focus more on the slapstick dialogue and the interplay between the stepbrothers. At the same time, it leaves one wondering about the point of the film.
I would not say that the theme of the film is “never grow up.” If anything, I left the theater fully understanding the importance of self-development and maturity. At times, I even wondered what was so funny about the crude phrases that overwhelmed the movie.
On top of the explicit boyish, sexual jokes and references, the language was completely over-the-top. If I extracted certain four-letter words along with some sexual terms from the script, it would have turned into a silent film.
Maybe these features will be the “best” part of the movie for some, but it is just not what I would classify as hilarious.
Don’t get me wrong, “Step Brothers” was funny. I definitely laughed out loud on occasions. In fact, I found the emphasis on singing quite amusing. Characters would burst out in song, and the music even became a sort of saving grace. There were even repetitive references to Vanilla Ice, which were actually humorous.
In short, you will laugh, but if you are against foul language and continuous bodily references, you may be better off selecting an alternate film.
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