A quick glance at the ads for MacGruber arouses almost instant suspicion and confusion. Another SNL feature-length film based off a less-than-hilarious skit, itself based off a decades old TV. show? Surely after Night at the Roxbury, The Ladies Man, and Superstar, we would have learned our lesson?

The early word on this one though has been predominately positive and some early reviews have called it a return to form for SNL the likes of Wayne’s World, or dare I say, The Blues Brothers. As is usual the style with internet hype, MacGruber fans have quickly linked its humor to last year’s stealth hit, The Hangover. So, what’s the word? Is it the best comedy of recent memory? Does it return SNL to the top of the comedy hill?

Not really.

I’ve got to say I’m a bit baffled at all the positive buzz. MacGruber certainly isn’t without its laughs, and its intention to pick apart lunkheaded 80′s macho man movies isn’t a bad one. With Will Forte as the mulleted action savant who returns from a self-imposed exile (everyone, including himself, thought he was dead) to thwart his nemesis, Dieter Von Kunth (a bloated, burly Val Kilmer) MacGruber pulls together an amiable, high-spirited cast and is fearless in the quest for a good belly laugh. If only it were a little more canny in its method and more sure in its aim. When the soundtrack, cobbled together from a very specific mix of 80′s ballads (Mr. Mister shows up), is the most on-point aspect of the satire, you might need to spend a little more time in the writing room.

When the villainous Kunth (every time a character says the name we are expected to laugh) gets his hands on a warhead, the government puts MacGruber back into the game and gives him license to put together his own team. This sequence, done in the style of the best meat headed action epics, is legitimately hilarious, with the diminutive Forte rounding up the largest group of roided out hulksters this side of The Expendables. It also has a great comedic pay-off that takes the air out of genre clichés and sets up the plot mechanism that pairs MacGruber with Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Philippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig). Elmo and Piper are on hand to help MacGruber retrieve the warhead and deliver some payback to Kunth, who blew up MacGruber’s wife on their wedding day.

Good thing for Forte and the movie that Philippe and Wiig show up early for the ride, because without them MacGruber would be a far less spritely and entertaining affair. Philippe, who doesn’t usually go out for stuff like this, is probably having the most fun and generates some honest laughs that are free of the straining embarrassment that comes with much of Forte’s shtick. There is a scene involving a piece of celery and Philippe that is among the most absurd things I’ve ever seen. It won’t be soon forgotten, and if this movie is a hit, expect it to be one of the main things anyone remembers from it.

Wiig is even better than Philippe and might be doing the most ‘acting’ in the film. She’s had plenty of experience on SNL, but here she hones in on the awkwardness of the character without suggesting any internal awkwardness of her own. This works well when MacGruber forces into a variety of idiotic disguises that require her to behave like an imbecile in front of throngs of confused onlookers. She’s got a down-to-earth aura that allows us to laugh with her while we are laughing at her. MacGruber could have used more opportunities for Wiig to strut her stuff. Kilmer, as the villain, is hamming it up, but he looks uncomfortable, and I’m starting to think those quickie DVD films he’s been churning out are starting to take their toll. It isn’t the extra weight as much as it a kind of resignation in the eyes that makes seeing the once great Val onscreen a kind of melancholy experience.

The script is just as absurd and one-dimensional as a really low-rent action throwback would be, and unfortunately it never throws enough variation or invention into the mix. Mostly, when faced with the conundrum of generating character interest, the writers resort to copious, irrelevant flinging of the F bomb, or belabored sexual jokes that sometimes repeat every four or five moments. Late in the game, there’s an inspired send-up of soft-focus, Cinemax sex scenes that immediately cuts to Forte and Wiig going at it like rabbits in a most unflattering way. Funny, for a few moments. To see MacGruber grunting and bucking like Mr. Ed on ecstasy isn’t the sort of sight that should be extended for several minutes.

Clunky enough on its own, that scene still has a few genuine laughs built into it. But then, literally in the next sequence, we are treated to a complete repeat of it, with another character, the cinemax montage stuff, and more bucking and spitting. It’s like the writers put the script on loop and went to lunch break. This kind of thing happens so often, that I’d be willing to bet that there might be no more than five or six original (meaning they haven’t been repeated before in this movie) jokes in the whole thing. Strangely, there’s very little of the the MacGuyver parody that the original skit based itself on in the film. This might be a blessing for the most part, but sometimes the creators don’t seem sure what they are lampooning–is it Rambo, or Magnum P.I. or the aforementioned impromptu inventor of jerry-rigged gadgets?  

For some, the silliness of MacGruber and the hack n’ slash Zuckers-esque approach to spoof comedy will be enough to get them through. For me, I was willing to give up the conceits of plot and character for a zany, laugh-packed romp. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough genuine funny for me to really recommend dropping between 8 to 10 dollars on MacGruber.

Yes, it’s a step up from recent SNL fare, but it still doesn’t have the gumption to stand on its own, or anywhere near Wayne’s World. It will probably be pleasing to most as a Netflix rental or a date night pick from the Red box, where the expectations are low and the mood is a bit on the silly side.

Rating: ★★½☆☆ 

Atomic Popcorn would like to extend a promotional opportunity on behalf of Universal’s upcoming comedy, MACGRUBER written by Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte. The film stars Will Forte, Ryan Phillippe and Val Kilmer. MACGRUBER will hit theaters May 21ST and the promotional screening will be held Thursday, May 20th at 9:00 PM.

Check out the synopsis and trailer below: Make sure your belly is securely safe within your pants! It may erupt from laughing!

Synopsis:

Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger. Just one operative has been awarded 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor and 7 presidential medals of bravery. And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet. In 2010, Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the action comedy MacGRUBER. In the 10 years since his fiancée was killed, special op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands. But when he learns that his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that’s been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer), MacGruber figures he’s the only one tough enough for the job. Assembling an elite team of experts – Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) – MacGruber will navigate an army of assassins to hunt down Cunth and bring him to justice. His methods may be unorthodox. His crime scenes may get messy. But if you want the world saved right, you call in MacGruber.

Check out the trailer right here:

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The only rule is that we will not be allowing multiple signups from the same family to sign up for our screenings any longer. You have 1 admit-two pass per family.

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I was going to write a recap and review of the 4/29/2010 30 Rock episode “Argus” but the episode wasn’t all that great, kinda like this whole season, so why not talk about Argus guest star Will Forte’s new action comedy based on his Saturday Night Live skit, MacGruber. MacGruber will be hitting theaters on May 21, 2010 (get it, “hitting” — PUN!) and if you haven’t been watching SNL (and I know you haven’t) then let me share the movie’s synopsis with you:

Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger.  Just one operative has been awarded 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor and 7 presidential medals of bravery.  And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet.  In 2010, Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the action comedy MacGruber.
In the 10 years since his fiancée was killed, special op MacGruber has sworn off a life of fighting crime with his bare hands.  But when he learns that his country needs him to find a nuclear warhead that’s been stolen by his sworn enemy, Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer), MacGruber figures he’s the only one tough enough for the job.
Assembling an elite team of experts, Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) and Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig)-MacGruber will navigate an army of assassins to hunt down Cunth and bring him to justice.  His methods may be unorthodox.  His crime scenes may get messy.  But if you want the world saved right, you call in MacGruber.

As we all learned in our high school drama class- movies weren’t made for reading so here’s the official trailer. I’m sold. I don’t know about you but that trailer did it for me. If you’re also on the MacGruber wagon then you might want to download the FREE official MacGruber iPhone app here. Fingers crossed, this is the perfect comedy to kick off the summer movie season.

Alright, I can’t completely dismiss tonight’s 30 Rock. Here are a few quotes worth quoting-

“I know this is a difficult time for you but word of advice- if the will says that you have to spend the night in a haunted house you better hope that everybody else there is black guys and sluts.” -Liz

“Are you soaking your tampons in vodka again?” -Liz

“How to avoid getting paper cuts while making love in a pile of money.” -John Francis Donaghy

“Dammit Griz, I’ve known you since you were six feet tall! I’m gonna to be your best man!” -Tracy

There’s a real message inherit in Whip It that’s exclusive to any woman who’s had her mother try to mold her in her maternal image. While this might seem to make the film “girls only”, Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut does feature enough charm to appeal to the other gender as well. But alas, this is a true girl power movie, and Barrymore makes no qualms about championing that. For her first picture, Barrymore emulates the derby girls in her film: a couple of bumps and bruises but an overall entertaining effort.

One of the best compliments Barrymore can receive lies with her ability to tell a story. Granted, the script itself isn’t the most complicated story to adapt, yet Barrymore keeps things focused on the characters and their relationships. The plot itself might be exaggerated, but the people are believable, especially Marcia Gay Harden’s overbearing mother Brooke. All of this is well-paced and Drew succeeds in not letting things get out of hand. She also succeeds in not being quirky just for the sake of it (and really, the film could have gone that route several times but chose not to.) Special mention should be given to a pool scene midway through the picture that Drew directs with a nice visual flair. The music, blended with the characters’ actions on-screen, creates a touching sequence that does entice us with a glimpse of what she’s capable of accomplishing from behind the camera.

Unfortunately that rookie mentality does rear its ugly head every now and again. Ironically, Barrymore doesn’t film the roller derby scenes with the same type of flair she possesses for the character scenes. Normally that wouldn’t be a fault, but the film is supposed to be about the sport after all; anyone who didn’t know how it was played would still not know how it was played after viewing the movie. Shots on the derby girls are too close as they skate around the rink and it’s never established visually who’s scored or how they scored. The film just glosses over the highlights without truly giving a sense of what the sport is about. Barrymore also stays cute and clean with how she wraps up her story. Really though, that’s more a fault on Shauna Cross’s screenplay than Barrymore’s direction, but the big decision at the end is rendered really tough to swallow even if the film is essentially the normal ‘feel-good sports film.’

Barrymore did indeed do a good job casting this picture, starting with Ellen Page as Bliss Cavendar (a.k.a. Babe Ruthless, one of the many great names in this movie.) Page carries the picture through its cheesy moments with her rebellious yet innocent portrayal. Page again makes the case that she’s one of the best actresses working, and should have broken out after Juno. She’s supported by Alia Shawkat as Pash, Bliss’ best friend, who has a great chemistry with Page. Not to take anything away from her performance, but it does help that Shawkat doesn’t look anything like a model. It sells her as a real person, and Ms. Shawkat does what she needs to to make the friendship work exceptionally well. The aforementioned Marcia Gay Harden is perfect as Bliss’ unsupportive mother and never gives anyone a reason to root for her. She herself has hardships, but one can’t help but feel she’s getting what she deserves in the end. Her husband Earl reminds us that Daniel Stern is still alive, and maybe he’s developed a serious bone in his body. A good turn, at that.

The Hurl Scouts (again, love the names) are led by Maggie Maven played by Kristen Wiig. For someone who’s more tuned to comedy, Wiig does a solid job with what she’s given. Also making an appearance is rapper Eve as Rosa Sparks. She’s not given too much to do, but Eve makes Rosa a presence every moment she’s on screen. Another notable Hurl Scout is Zoe Bell as Bloody Holly, taking her tough-girl persona and having loads of fun with it. Drew Barrymore herself shows up as Smashley Simpson, but serves nothing to the overall story. Although not a Hurl Scout, Ari Graynor plays Eva Destruction of the Black Widows and turns in a fine job. Andrew Wilson is Razor, the Hurl Scouts coach, who is at times goofy, at times zany, but all the time superb in his duties.

Unfortunately, there are some rotten eggs in this batch, starting with Juliette Lewis as Iron Maven, leader of the Holy Rollers. This has nothing to do with Lewis’ abilities as an actress as much as with how her character is written. She shows up only because the script says the sports aspect needs a villain and Iron Maven is essentially Lane Smith Lite. Lewis doesn’t help the character by not having the bitchy demeanor the Iron Maven would need to have. She doesn’t really get the character, and it shows. Also unflattering is Jimmy Fallon as the Master of Ceremonies. Unlike Lewis, he gets the character and takes him completely overboard in his dorkiness and general annoyance. If memory serves, there’s a scene where people boo him and throw stuff at him, making the movie audience wish they could do the same.

With Whip It, the positives outweigh the negatives and Barrymore, again, gives a very solid first effort. In fact, it’s a promising start to a new career turn for her and there’s no doubt she’ll learn from her small mishaps here and improve them as she grows and expands upon what she’s already capable of doing. The same goes for Ellen Page, although she doesn’t misstep in this movie and really has yet to. Whip It may not accomplish all of its ambitious goals, but it does personify girl power and when it’s all said and done, is entertaining. And really, isn’t that what sports movies are supposed to be?

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

It’s tough to really say Extract is a comedy. Sure, it’s being marketed as one and masquerades as one, but the film never hits the notes it wants to. Certainly there are laughs, few and far between though they may be, but none ever really rise much higher than a chuckle. Writer, director, and animation guru Mike Judge is more concerned with telling a story than he is with satisfying the audience’s comedy fix. Taken from that viewpoint, Extract leaves a little more to be desired and only becomes a fairly mediocre film.

There’s no point in discussing Judge’s visual style, as he’s never been one to do interesting things with a camera, so the main focus will continue to be the story. The central plot revolves around Jason Bateman’s Joel trying to validate his amorous feelings toward Cindy (Mila Kunis) by convincing his wife (Kristen Wiig) sleep with a gigolo hired by him. While slightly intriguing, it’s not enough to keep the film chugging along for even its brief allotted runtime. It works, mostly, because Judge knows when to let it flow out of proportion, except for when dealing with Cindy. She’s just there, never really serving any purpose other than free looks at Mrs. Kunis. Her arc is never really wrapped up either – except for a quick throwaway line that’s underplayed and easily missed.

Also wrapped up rather haphazardly is David Koechner’s annoying neighbor Nathan. He’s a distraction (and that may be his purpose), but this gag gets old quick. Koechner’s perfect at being a pest so the blame doesn’t rest on him. Judge wraps him up rather randomly, and in a way that’s more off-putting than anything. In Koechner’s defense, though, he’s annoying in a lovable oaf sort of way. Beth Grant has us wishing Anton Chigurh would pay her another visit. Every frame wasted on her is one the film could be using to improve its story. Sadly for us, she’s the whole catalyst for the film’s subplot involving Step (Clifton Collins, Jr.), who is suing the company with persuasion from Cindy.

Thankfully, Collins Jr. handles Step very well and never rocks the boat with a character that could easily fall into the same type of trap. Perhaps he’s a visual metaphor for the film: looks goofy and overblown but is actually subdued and somewhat likable. Making the film likable in the least is Ben Affleck, who, like  Collins Jr., looks incredibly goofy. Softening that goofiness soewhat is a certain charm Affleck applies to Dean to turn him into the bartender we all know and love, even if he’s a little odd-looking. Affleck keeps the outrageous aspects in check to keep Dean likable. He ends up being the best of the bunch, and truthfully it’s nice to see him making a mini-comeback.

Which leaves Jason Bateman and Kristen Wiig as the leading couple. Bateman of course is always a welcome addition to anything he does, even the strongly overrated Juno. He’s no different here, and has a presence that’s underrated to a degree. He guides the film when Affleck isn’t around to help him wade through the bad parts and doesn’t make Joel a wuss. Wiig certainly feels at home as Suzie and actually fits very well with Bateman. She’s sexy enough to be a housewife and smart enough to not overplay the character. She and Bateman feel natural, as if they really were married and going through these problems.

Shamefully they’re not enough to help the film overcome its own problems. Story aside, the film doesn’t appear to be trying for gut-busting laughs. The Hangover suffered story problems as well, but they made up for a good portion of those by delivering the funny. Extract has opposite goals, but really should have stuck to that plan. There’s nothing here that will evoke a great amount of laughter from a group of friends looking for the next big comedy, who will likely chalk up the film as disappointment in that respect.

For me, though, Extract comes off as a mediocre film that does enough right to balance its wrongs. Some performances sparkle while others tarnish hopes the movie had of being great. There’s a laugh or two here and there, but nothing that will have audiences in tears like the studio would want. In a sense, this is Office Space from the boss’ point of view and we come to discover that being the boss isn’t as glamorous as it appears. Essentially, that’s Extract in a nutshell.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

I was eagerly anticipating this movie as I’m a big fan of Jason Bateman’s understated comedic approach… and Mila Kunis’ understated hotness. And yet, neither could save this film. It was, in my opinion, just plain dumb. While writer and director Mike Judge usually does a great job depicting the humorous banality of everyday life in workplace and family, this script falls flat.

Bateman plays Joel who runs an extract factory (think vanilla extract, root beer extract, etc.) that he is trying to sell. Joel is a great character for Bateman. He looks at everyone around him like they are idiots, yet pulls off this sense of caring that comes straight out of his time on “Arrested Development”. Kunis plays Cindy, who gets hired at the factory and starts causing problems, both at work and at home. Dean (Ben Affleck) is Joel’s bartender buddy who seems as bizarre in this role as the advice he gives. J.K. Simmons (Spider Man’s J. Jonah Jameson) plays the plant foreman, Brian. His role is pretty funny, as is the one of ‘Step’ (Clifton Collins, Jr.) whose hilarious unfortunate accident is a focal point. In fact, if the movie had just been about Joel, Brian and Step’s life at the factory, it could have been comedy at its best. But throw in Joel’s wife Suzie (Kristen Wiig) and her almost funny sweatpants, and airhead ‘pool boy’ Brad (Dustin Milligan), and you have enough ‘plot’ to suck the life out of this endeavor.

Yes, there are some hilarious moments that will make you laugh out loud. But they are scattered among unfunny backdrops of plant worker stereotypes, infidelity and drug use. Even these last two subjects could have been funny (see The Hangover as a case in point), but instead of going all out for laughs, Judge tries to walk the line between making light of the situations and having an undertone of seriousness. And the line between the two ends up being a glass wall that lets you see what the movie could have been – but it never gets there.

Unfortunately, this ends up being a pointless movie with no redeeming qualities. And the ending leaves you wondering what the hell just happened… not only to the girl, but to the last two hours of your life. I can’t even figure out who the movie was geared towards. It seemed the theater was filled with mostly 20s, but the movie was mostly about a couple in their 30s, yet had jokes aimed at teens? Whichever way, I guess I’m just too old to get any of it.

I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone of any age. Save your money and watch some of Judge’s quality TV work like ‘King of the Hill’.

Rating: ★½☆☆☆ 

From the strange and creatively awesome mind of Mike Judge who brought you Office Space, Idiocracy and Beavis and Butthead, comes the next comedy called Extract. Starring Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Kristen Wiig, J.K. Simmons, the film will come to theaters everywhere September 4th. Take a look at the posters below:

Check out the pics of Tina Fey and Steve Carell on the set of their upcoming comedy, Date Night. Taken during production in downtown Manhattan, you can see the hilarious (HILARIOUS!) duo as they embark on their date. Might I suggest that Mr.Carell is trying to tip a man. Wacky stuff there. Wacky.

Date Night is directed by A Night at the Museum 1-2 director Shawn Levy and also stars Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Taraji Henson, Kristen Wiig, Ray Liotta (the list keeps going), Mila Kunis and, of course, Mark Ruffalo. The film is due out next summer.

Source: Coming Soon