This movie will never win an Oscar, but it still surprised me and became my favorite summer movie this year. The plot, as in all good summer comedies, is simple. Two guys who crash weddings to pick up woman have zany adventures and learn a little something along the way. The real fun of this movie is in the actors, who deliver their performances perfectly. Owen Wilson is the aging California surfer type who may be ready to move on with his life. Vince Vaughn is his best friend who frequently acts like a spoiled, horny child but is actually a good guy. Christopher Walken is the slightly scary father of the love interest. So if you have seen Wilson in Shanghai Noon and Vaughn in Swingers and Walken in, well almost anything he has ever made, then you have seen these characters before. But still, they just work well together here. The movie contains just enough real emotion to keep you caring and enough absurdity and broad physical comedy to keep you laughing. This isn't Shakespeare, but it is funny. Highly recommend.
724 Reviews
This movie was hilarious
Rooster9916 June 2006
An excellent comedy, Vince Vaughn is a gifted comedian. He kept "Old School" going, was the only light in a dismal "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", and had a terrific debut lead in "Swingers". I highly recommend people considering this movie, to watch the extras on the DVD; there is a karaoke scene at an Asian wedding which will have you rolling. It is a shame it was cut from the movie, but as the director's comments stated, "They just couldn't find a place where it would fit." I was very pleasantly surprised at the number of times I laughed out loud, a rarity for me while watching comedies. The lines were witty, the delivery was crisp, and the jokes were mostly new and fresh. Rachel McAdams was stunning, an excellent casting choice to play the object of Owen Wilson's desire. Despite the more or less rehashed plot (two guys lie about themselves to meet women, only to find that they now have a dilemma when they find 2 they really like), the film is nonetheless novel and original. There are a number of obviously stereotypical characters, (drunken grandmother, artistic introverted son, psychotic cheating boyfriend, immoral mother, powerful father), but they work in this film. Particularly the grandmother, who is prone to drunken scatological exclamations, had me laughing my head off. It was quite unexpected.
Although many of the situations could come off as contrived, they were secondary to the excellent repartee between Wilson and Vaughn. Their comic pairing worked to a T.
R.
Although many of the situations could come off as contrived, they were secondary to the excellent repartee between Wilson and Vaughn. Their comic pairing worked to a T.
R.
Wilson and Vaughn: The Perfect Couple?
jvydelingum2 July 2005
The Frat-Pack, are surely the hardest working collective in Hollywood. Hardly a month goes by without a movie featuring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, or those Wilson boys Luke and Owen being released.
When Starsky and Hutch paired Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller it was good, when Dodgeball put Vince Vaughn with Ben Stiller it was better, but "Wedding Crashers" could well be the finest Frat-Pack pairing to date.
Although Wilson and Vaughn have appeared in four movies together so far, this is the first where they've both taken star billing. In "Wedding Crashers", John Beckwith (Wilson) and Jeremy Klein (Vaughn), are a pair of divorce mediators whose passion in life is sneaking into weddings to take advantage of the free food.. and of course score with girls.
They have a strict 'crashers rulebook', which dictates the etiquette of the pick-up, such as 'never use your real name'. It also suggests, by behaving raucously, loudly and generally being the life-and-soul, people will think you're so obnoxious, you can't not have been invited.
The pair eventually find themselves at odds with each other when John meets and falls for a bridesmaid at the Washington society wedding of the year.
Although "Wedding Crashers" is at times formulaic, the comic performances raise this movie above par and in lesser hands the main characters could have descended into Rom-Com cliché. The fast-talking machine-gun delivery of Vaughn is the perfect accompaniment to Wilson's laconic style. Their single-guy banter's often painfully accurate, as is the acknowledgement they're both a little too old to be acting so carelessly. There are also some great comic set-pieces too, notably the divorce meeting, the weddings montage, the cringe-worthy football game and the hunting trip.
The supporting cast are also an asset, Christopher Walken expertly walks the tightrope of being both broodingly intimidating and likable, while Rachel McAdams' 'Claire' has a charming vulnerability and an easy-to-fall-in love with quality. Former "Home and Away" pin-up Isla Fisher however, is less convincing.
I admit "Wedding Crashers" is far from perfect, at time situations seem too contrived, the nudity is laughably gratuitous, and Claire's evil fiancée Sack (Bradley Cooper) is an almost too heavy-handed device to make Wilson look good.
But if you can look past all that, and simply accept it for what it is, you're left with a very funny film. 8/10
When Starsky and Hutch paired Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller it was good, when Dodgeball put Vince Vaughn with Ben Stiller it was better, but "Wedding Crashers" could well be the finest Frat-Pack pairing to date.
Although Wilson and Vaughn have appeared in four movies together so far, this is the first where they've both taken star billing. In "Wedding Crashers", John Beckwith (Wilson) and Jeremy Klein (Vaughn), are a pair of divorce mediators whose passion in life is sneaking into weddings to take advantage of the free food.. and of course score with girls.
They have a strict 'crashers rulebook', which dictates the etiquette of the pick-up, such as 'never use your real name'. It also suggests, by behaving raucously, loudly and generally being the life-and-soul, people will think you're so obnoxious, you can't not have been invited.
The pair eventually find themselves at odds with each other when John meets and falls for a bridesmaid at the Washington society wedding of the year.
Although "Wedding Crashers" is at times formulaic, the comic performances raise this movie above par and in lesser hands the main characters could have descended into Rom-Com cliché. The fast-talking machine-gun delivery of Vaughn is the perfect accompaniment to Wilson's laconic style. Their single-guy banter's often painfully accurate, as is the acknowledgement they're both a little too old to be acting so carelessly. There are also some great comic set-pieces too, notably the divorce meeting, the weddings montage, the cringe-worthy football game and the hunting trip.
The supporting cast are also an asset, Christopher Walken expertly walks the tightrope of being both broodingly intimidating and likable, while Rachel McAdams' 'Claire' has a charming vulnerability and an easy-to-fall-in love with quality. Former "Home and Away" pin-up Isla Fisher however, is less convincing.
I admit "Wedding Crashers" is far from perfect, at time situations seem too contrived, the nudity is laughably gratuitous, and Claire's evil fiancée Sack (Bradley Cooper) is an almost too heavy-handed device to make Wilson look good.
But if you can look past all that, and simply accept it for what it is, you're left with a very funny film. 8/10
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn perfect together
SnoopyStyle4 October 2013
John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are business partners and best friends. They have a unique scheme to crash weddings and bed unsuspecting young hot women. When they crash the wedding of the season, John falls completely for bridesmaid Claire Cleary (Rachel McAdams) breaking all the rules. Jeremy must submit to her sex-crazed sister Gloria Cleary (Isla Fisher) as his loyal wingman.
The concept is great. Some of the jokes work but some really don't. This movie rises with the guys' chemistry. Vaugh's got the manic rantings, and Wilson's got the boy next door charm. Together they form the perfect bromance. And that is the big takeaway from this movie.
The concept is great. Some of the jokes work but some really don't. This movie rises with the guys' chemistry. Vaugh's got the manic rantings, and Wilson's got the boy next door charm. Together they form the perfect bromance. And that is the big takeaway from this movie.
Good comedy that only struggles when it has to focus on the actual narrative
bob the moo11 December 2005
John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey are committed bachelors who enjoy their womanising ways. They specialise in crashing weddings and picking up women for one night stands by taking advantage of their lower defences. Countless scores of women later, John is getting tired but the offer of "one last big job" tempts him back to crash the wedding of Treasury Secretary Cleary's daughter. Things go well until John falls for Claire Cleary while Jeremy finds himself trapped with the frighteningly clingy Gloria as the pair accept an invitation back to the weekend retreat of the Cleary family.
This did not appear strong enough to draw me into the cinema on its release but, on an trans-Atlantic flight it looked like being good enough to fill some time which is actually a pretty fair summary of the film's strengths and weaknesses. I say this because it is funny enough to cover the problems that it has and thus will serve up as an enjoyable experience if you're relaxed enough to let this happen. The strengths lie in the lead two characters they banter, they are lively and they are funny. Funny enough to cover up the fact that they are exploitative and sexual predators and funny enough to mean that the scenes where they are doing their thing are generally enjoyable. Of course it helps that Wilson and Vaughn are both doing their thing as usually and have great chemistry together good news if you usually like them but, if you don't, then why bother? The weaknesses come in with the actual story because, every time someone has to fall in love with someone else, the laughs stop, the pace slows and the whole thing takes on a mushy air that doesn't gel that well with the banter scenes. Likewise the plot devices in the second hour tend to feel a little forced where they are just used to provide direction and create a proper ending etc. This doesn't mean it is terrible but it cannot be a good thing when you actively wish the plot would take a backseat in a film. The support cast share the comedy reasonably well; McAdams is cool and appealing, Fisher is a bit OTT but is funny, Seymour plays on her sexy image really well while Walken is reliable as ever as Christopher Walken.
Overall this is an enjoyable if patchy comedy. It trades on the usual delivery and chemistry between Wilson and Vaughn and the two do well to produce the film's best scenes when they are together. The need for a plot, romance and separation does hurt the film a little (because it is not as good as the aimless banter) but not a massive amount. Not a great comedy then but certainly good enough to please anyone who liked Anchorman, Dodgeball and other films of similar styles of humour.
This did not appear strong enough to draw me into the cinema on its release but, on an trans-Atlantic flight it looked like being good enough to fill some time which is actually a pretty fair summary of the film's strengths and weaknesses. I say this because it is funny enough to cover the problems that it has and thus will serve up as an enjoyable experience if you're relaxed enough to let this happen. The strengths lie in the lead two characters they banter, they are lively and they are funny. Funny enough to cover up the fact that they are exploitative and sexual predators and funny enough to mean that the scenes where they are doing their thing are generally enjoyable. Of course it helps that Wilson and Vaughn are both doing their thing as usually and have great chemistry together good news if you usually like them but, if you don't, then why bother? The weaknesses come in with the actual story because, every time someone has to fall in love with someone else, the laughs stop, the pace slows and the whole thing takes on a mushy air that doesn't gel that well with the banter scenes. Likewise the plot devices in the second hour tend to feel a little forced where they are just used to provide direction and create a proper ending etc. This doesn't mean it is terrible but it cannot be a good thing when you actively wish the plot would take a backseat in a film. The support cast share the comedy reasonably well; McAdams is cool and appealing, Fisher is a bit OTT but is funny, Seymour plays on her sexy image really well while Walken is reliable as ever as Christopher Walken.
Overall this is an enjoyable if patchy comedy. It trades on the usual delivery and chemistry between Wilson and Vaughn and the two do well to produce the film's best scenes when they are together. The need for a plot, romance and separation does hurt the film a little (because it is not as good as the aimless banter) but not a massive amount. Not a great comedy then but certainly good enough to please anyone who liked Anchorman, Dodgeball and other films of similar styles of humour.
Shut-Down Your Brain and Laugh
claudio_carvalho14 October 2006
The thirty and something years old bachelor partners and best friends divorce mediators John Beckwith (Owe Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) have a hobby of crashing weddings following predetermined rules to have one night stand with different women. When they decide to crash the most important wedding of Washington pretending they are brothers, in a party promoted by the Secretary of Treasury William Cleary (Christopher Walken), John breaks their rules and has a crush on Claire Cleary (Rachel McAdams) and Jeremy scores the sex-addicted Gloria Cleary (Isla Fisher), both daughters of William. Gloria invites Jeremy to spend the weekend at the Cleary family estate, and John sees the chance to be close to Claire, in spite of her engagement with the arrogant Zachary "Sack" Lodge (Bradley Cooper). Along the weekend with the dysfunctional Cleary family, John and Jeremy will fall in love for the sisters, but their real identities jeopardize the relationship.
"Wedding Crashers" is silly and will never win or will be nominated to an Oscar. But it is also hilarious, with many funny situations. The great cast shows a fantastic chemistry and seems to have fun while making the movie, and is supported by a delicious screenplay and an excellent music score. My advice is simple: shut-down your brain and laugh with this highly recommended comedy. See also their one hundred and fifty-five (155) Rules of Wedding Crashing in IMDb. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Penetras Bom de Bico" ("Crashers Good of Talking")
"Wedding Crashers" is silly and will never win or will be nominated to an Oscar. But it is also hilarious, with many funny situations. The great cast shows a fantastic chemistry and seems to have fun while making the movie, and is supported by a delicious screenplay and an excellent music score. My advice is simple: shut-down your brain and laugh with this highly recommended comedy. See also their one hundred and fifty-five (155) Rules of Wedding Crashing in IMDb. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Penetras Bom de Bico" ("Crashers Good of Talking")
This movie isn't smart. It isn't great. But it's "fun."
nathandg194 October 2006
The opening sequence with Dwight Yokum and Rebecca De Mornay is one of the funniest in the film. The rest doesn't live quite up to it. The movie suffers from an improbability problem. I know from working weddings like some they went to, it's not easy to sneak into a wedding, especially high profile weddings with bouncers and giant men standing at the doors looking at your invite! Besides that, I will say I enjoyed the film. It's not as funny as say, 40 Year Old Virgin, but there's some good stuff in there. Keir O'Donnell has some of the funniest moments in the film as the goth/artist/gay son of Walken. These were some of the laugh out loud moments of the film.
Owen Wilson is very likable in the film as the partier-coming-to-grips with his age and wanting more out of life. He more or less plays the straight man to Vince Vaughn's antics.
Vaughn speaks in lightening fast dialogue most of the movie. Funny, and good, but at times I was left scratching my head. He's a strong actor and makes strong choices in this movie.
The directing by Dobkin sometimes feels less than good. Desk scenes shot with 2 cameras make it look like the actors are improvising most of their lines and leaves these "buddies" looking a bit too disconnected.
Bottom Line: If you enjoy comedies, especially of this genre, see it. It is very formulatic and if you're smart, you'll know how it ends about 30 minutes into this overly long comedy. (over 2 hours) PS: Will Ferrell turns in a very odd performance as Chazz Reinhold the ultimate wedding crasher. You might feel a little dirty after watching this near out of place character.
Owen Wilson is very likable in the film as the partier-coming-to-grips with his age and wanting more out of life. He more or less plays the straight man to Vince Vaughn's antics.
Vaughn speaks in lightening fast dialogue most of the movie. Funny, and good, but at times I was left scratching my head. He's a strong actor and makes strong choices in this movie.
The directing by Dobkin sometimes feels less than good. Desk scenes shot with 2 cameras make it look like the actors are improvising most of their lines and leaves these "buddies" looking a bit too disconnected.
Bottom Line: If you enjoy comedies, especially of this genre, see it. It is very formulatic and if you're smart, you'll know how it ends about 30 minutes into this overly long comedy. (over 2 hours) PS: Will Ferrell turns in a very odd performance as Chazz Reinhold the ultimate wedding crasher. You might feel a little dirty after watching this near out of place character.
Witty, raunchy and sure to become a 'classic'
botner26 June 2005
Saw a advance screening of this on Friday night. Hilarious doesn't do the film justice. You know how in most films you remember the funniest parts and bring them up as you leave the theater? This one, it's hard to remember the best parts because there's so many of them.
Unlike his previous films, where Vince Vaughn is usually reduced to the role of 'scene stealer', here we get a full dose of Babaganush, and he's in his finest form since 'Swingers'. If you liked him in his Swingers/Made persona, you'll love him here. Some of the riffs that he has literally will have you holding your sides with laughter.
Owen Wilson is Owen Wilson. You either like him or you don't. He's more of the straight man in this film, although he does have some pretty good lines too, and he has great chemistry with Vaughn, especially in the scenes where they're fighting. He's the ying to Vaughn's yang.
The movie certainly 'earns' it's R rating. There's a healthy dose of nudity, sex related hijinks, and f-bombs. But it's not 'gross out' humor a la American Pie. It pushes boundaries, but not just in a 'shock value' way. It's genuinely funny.
I saw the movie with a bunch of critics, who usually the jaded type, were laughing their asses of as well. Guys will love this movie and will be quoting it for the rest of the year. Girls will love it too though, and there is a romantic subplot (cheesy at times, but forgivable given how funny the movie is), with Rachael McAdams doing a great job as Owen Wilson's love interest. Isla Fischer plays the role of 'scene stealer' in this one, serving as Vince Vaughn's psycho love interest. And Chris Walken is Chris Walken.
So overall..inappropriate, hilarious and glorious. Better than Oldschool. Way better than Anchorman. Best comedy of the year, maybe the last couple of years.
Unlike his previous films, where Vince Vaughn is usually reduced to the role of 'scene stealer', here we get a full dose of Babaganush, and he's in his finest form since 'Swingers'. If you liked him in his Swingers/Made persona, you'll love him here. Some of the riffs that he has literally will have you holding your sides with laughter.
Owen Wilson is Owen Wilson. You either like him or you don't. He's more of the straight man in this film, although he does have some pretty good lines too, and he has great chemistry with Vaughn, especially in the scenes where they're fighting. He's the ying to Vaughn's yang.
The movie certainly 'earns' it's R rating. There's a healthy dose of nudity, sex related hijinks, and f-bombs. But it's not 'gross out' humor a la American Pie. It pushes boundaries, but not just in a 'shock value' way. It's genuinely funny.
I saw the movie with a bunch of critics, who usually the jaded type, were laughing their asses of as well. Guys will love this movie and will be quoting it for the rest of the year. Girls will love it too though, and there is a romantic subplot (cheesy at times, but forgivable given how funny the movie is), with Rachael McAdams doing a great job as Owen Wilson's love interest. Isla Fischer plays the role of 'scene stealer' in this one, serving as Vince Vaughn's psycho love interest. And Chris Walken is Chris Walken.
So overall..inappropriate, hilarious and glorious. Better than Oldschool. Way better than Anchorman. Best comedy of the year, maybe the last couple of years.
nice m.o's
pookey5616 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
there is an easy rapport between Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, and of course there's the wonderful Chris Walken and Rachael McAdams. and seeing Jane Seymour playing against type from her Dr Quinn, medicine virgin was a nice change. i wanted to like this film and watched it twice. i wonder if Vince put on extra weight for the role, the way Renee and Robert and George did.... i would venture to say that the beginning was less predictable than the end. and despite their pick-up modus operandi, the two characters were fairly likable characters. and i'm probably going to watch this again, except to see it win at the People's Choice awards...Vince and Owen's characters are such cads, but they are such likable ones, and they made me chuckle. That's more than enough.
I laughed so much, I cried too. Fun buddy movie of two friends who crash weddings to meet girls.
seamus_waldron-15 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This could have been a shocking buddy movie, but the writing, the comedic performances and the simple concept, make this my favourite comedy of the year.
Divorce mediators John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are business partners and longtime friends who share a strange hobby, crashing weddings.
With intricate planning of back stories, the pair crash Jewish, Itaian, Irish, Chinese, even Hindu weddings, always with an answer for that question of "And you are".?
Wedding crashing has rules, handed down from one generation to the next :
"Invites are for losers", "Make sure she's single", "Never use your real name", "Dance like you mean it", "Free drinks, why not?", "If you can't cry, fake it!" and the most important; "Never leave a fellow crasher behind"
Though a kaleidescope of parties, we glimpse the whirlwind nature of wedding crashing. John and Jeremy aren't just out on the make, though the girls are their ultimate goal. They are sympathetic characters. Being the life of the party attracts the women, but these guys really do love the food, the bands, entertaining the kids and dressing up in their suits. Not only are they Wedding Crashers, they are Wedding experts.
The ultimate crashing challenge comes when the daughter of the Treasury Secretary (Christopher Walken) and he wife (Jane Seymor) is getting married in what is sure to be the social event of the year.
Of course, our friends find that this might just be a wedding too far, especially when they are invited to an extended weekend celebration at the Secretarys' home.
The fun really begins and I shall stop telling you what is going on as the ins and outs of this film are delightful. Jane Seymor has a marvellous scene with Owen Wilson and there are many moments you want to berry your head in the shoulder of the person next to you to stop laughing too loudly.
This is my favourite comedy of the year so far.
Divorce mediators John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are business partners and longtime friends who share a strange hobby, crashing weddings.
With intricate planning of back stories, the pair crash Jewish, Itaian, Irish, Chinese, even Hindu weddings, always with an answer for that question of "And you are".?
Wedding crashing has rules, handed down from one generation to the next :
"Invites are for losers", "Make sure she's single", "Never use your real name", "Dance like you mean it", "Free drinks, why not?", "If you can't cry, fake it!" and the most important; "Never leave a fellow crasher behind"
Though a kaleidescope of parties, we glimpse the whirlwind nature of wedding crashing. John and Jeremy aren't just out on the make, though the girls are their ultimate goal. They are sympathetic characters. Being the life of the party attracts the women, but these guys really do love the food, the bands, entertaining the kids and dressing up in their suits. Not only are they Wedding Crashers, they are Wedding experts.
The ultimate crashing challenge comes when the daughter of the Treasury Secretary (Christopher Walken) and he wife (Jane Seymor) is getting married in what is sure to be the social event of the year.
Of course, our friends find that this might just be a wedding too far, especially when they are invited to an extended weekend celebration at the Secretarys' home.
The fun really begins and I shall stop telling you what is going on as the ins and outs of this film are delightful. Jane Seymor has a marvellous scene with Owen Wilson and there are many moments you want to berry your head in the shoulder of the person next to you to stop laughing too loudly.
This is my favourite comedy of the year so far.
Incredibly Funny
christian1237 May 2006
John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are life-long friends who have made a hobby out of lying to get into wedding receptions, where they pick up vulnerable women with even more lies. Their plans to crash the upscale wedding of a high-profile politician (Christopher Walken) go awry when John falls in love with the politician's daughter (Rachel McAdams) and the two guys end up spending the weekend with her family
who just happen to be completely nuts!
Wedding Crashers is easily the funniest film of 2005. It's constantly hilarious and it's not completely immature. The premise is pretty creative and original. The film is not just filled with cheap jokes and toilet humor. There's actually a pretty mature love story to be found here as well. In all honestly, the script isn't that great but the film works really well because of the cast. The actors bring life into their characters and most of them give funny performances. Vince Vaughn is the true star of Wedding Crashers. His over the top performance is very funny. Some people may find him annoying though. Owen Wilson also gives a funny performance. He just wasn't as good as Vince but he holds his own. Together, Vaughn and Wilson have great chemistry and really make their scenes with one another really funny.
Rachel McAdams is one of the best young actresses working today. She appeared in three movies in 2005 and this one was the best. Her performance is pretty good and it's so easy to love this girl. Christopher Walken does his usual routine and he gives an okay performance. He isn't as funny as everyone else though. Isla Fisher is also another talented young actress. She comes out of no where and gives a very funny performance. Jane Seymour is underused which is too bad because she's pretty funny. Bradley Cooper was okay, nothing really special though. Not all of the film is perfect. I think the running time is too long. Long comedies rarely work out and while this one does, it could have still been edited. Also, the ending is kind of cheesy which is okay but a little unexpected. Will Ferrell makes a cameo and let's just say that it was not needed. It wasn't completely bad but he seemed to be trying way too hard. I really think that he's just an average comedian and nothing really special. One last thing, the film is pretty funny yet it doesn't have that great of a repeat value, at least for me. In the end, Wedding Crashers is worth checking out. Rating 8/10
Wedding Crashers is easily the funniest film of 2005. It's constantly hilarious and it's not completely immature. The premise is pretty creative and original. The film is not just filled with cheap jokes and toilet humor. There's actually a pretty mature love story to be found here as well. In all honestly, the script isn't that great but the film works really well because of the cast. The actors bring life into their characters and most of them give funny performances. Vince Vaughn is the true star of Wedding Crashers. His over the top performance is very funny. Some people may find him annoying though. Owen Wilson also gives a funny performance. He just wasn't as good as Vince but he holds his own. Together, Vaughn and Wilson have great chemistry and really make their scenes with one another really funny.
Rachel McAdams is one of the best young actresses working today. She appeared in three movies in 2005 and this one was the best. Her performance is pretty good and it's so easy to love this girl. Christopher Walken does his usual routine and he gives an okay performance. He isn't as funny as everyone else though. Isla Fisher is also another talented young actress. She comes out of no where and gives a very funny performance. Jane Seymour is underused which is too bad because she's pretty funny. Bradley Cooper was okay, nothing really special though. Not all of the film is perfect. I think the running time is too long. Long comedies rarely work out and while this one does, it could have still been edited. Also, the ending is kind of cheesy which is okay but a little unexpected. Will Ferrell makes a cameo and let's just say that it was not needed. It wasn't completely bad but he seemed to be trying way too hard. I really think that he's just an average comedian and nothing really special. One last thing, the film is pretty funny yet it doesn't have that great of a repeat value, at least for me. In the end, Wedding Crashers is worth checking out. Rating 8/10
A very clichéd love story, but pretty funny.
ninjagaiden00720 September 2006
Let me start off by saying that I really liked this movie. I thought it was well directed and had a great cast. The only problem really was the second half. The first half was hysterical and funny. The second half was not funny at all. Take Will Ferrel for example. They did nothing with him what so ever. They just expected him to be crashing funerals funny. Because it's Will Ferrel and because he crashes funerals they expected it to be funny, but it's not. Ever since the clichéd love story started is when it went down hill. I mean, we've seen it all before. It's the same love story as "Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, The NoteBook, 13 Going 30, Monster In Law, Titanic, The Wedding Singer, The Wedding Planner, When Harry Met Sally" and much more. But apart from a terrible second half (and yes, Will Ferrel is part of the second half), the first half was great and hilarious. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Rachel Mcadams and introducing Isla Fisher. 7/10
Walked out, this movie was an utter BOMB
Paul207617 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I lasted just over an hour into this movie before my girlfriend and I rolled our eyes for about the 50th time and decided it was time to leave. The point we left was when the one kid rolled into bed with Vince Vaughn which was, to me, the last straw in a long line of cheesy, over the top corny scenes that were put into this movie to get the most dimwitted audience members to laugh uncontrollably.
I found it funny in the theater we watched it in because one half of the theater didn't laugh once throughout the entire time that we were there, yet the people on the right were howling from start to finish. Was the ventilation pumping something into the air on that side of the theater? Looking back, it seemed as though this movie was written for its shock value alone. I think the writers of this crap-fest basically thought to themselves, while writing, "hmm, what is the most outlandish thing we could have happen here" and then wammo, enter low brow slapstick humour to the extreme.
The first twenty minutes or so, I felt as though I was watching an extended trailer for the movie. It was like watching a train wreck, I just couldn't look away (until we finally up and left). Thank God we had coupons, because I don't think I would have been able to look myself in the mirror ever again having known I had spent money on watching this movie.
Like star wars episodes 1,2 and 3, this is a movie is at its best in the preview. Why waste 2 hours or so watching the entire movie when you can do it in 2 minutes.
I found it funny in the theater we watched it in because one half of the theater didn't laugh once throughout the entire time that we were there, yet the people on the right were howling from start to finish. Was the ventilation pumping something into the air on that side of the theater? Looking back, it seemed as though this movie was written for its shock value alone. I think the writers of this crap-fest basically thought to themselves, while writing, "hmm, what is the most outlandish thing we could have happen here" and then wammo, enter low brow slapstick humour to the extreme.
The first twenty minutes or so, I felt as though I was watching an extended trailer for the movie. It was like watching a train wreck, I just couldn't look away (until we finally up and left). Thank God we had coupons, because I don't think I would have been able to look myself in the mirror ever again having known I had spent money on watching this movie.
Like star wars episodes 1,2 and 3, this is a movie is at its best in the preview. Why waste 2 hours or so watching the entire movie when you can do it in 2 minutes.
Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughn Really Click Well In This One.
BigHardcoreRed19 July 2005
Wedding Crashers is the latest installment in the new, over-the-top comedies cut from the same cloth as Old School or Meet The Parents. It will take it's rightful place in history along side these great comedies as it deserves.
Business partners John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are also best friends that go way back. Every year they get together and go on a binge of crashing weddings to take advantage of the romance in the air and ultimately, to score with the jealous bridesmaids, or any other single woman for that matter. John and Jeremy are very smooth and do a lot of research to get a back-story that explains who they are, how they are connected to the families and why they are there. They also have what seems to be at least a hundred rules to ensure the crashing of the wedding goes as planned and of course, this could not be possible without the original wedding crasher, Chaz (Will Ferrell), who is not only THE wedding crasher, but also an innovator, as you will see.
This all works very well for them until they decide to crash the wedding of weddings, Secretary Cleary's (Christopher Walken) daughter and her new husband-to-be. John was unable to achieve his goal at the Cleary wedding of establishing a relationship with his other daughter, Claire (Rachel McAdams), who he is also falling in love with. Jeremy, too, is having his problems after achieving his goal with the Secretary's other daughter, Gloria (Isla Fisher), perhaps a bit too quickly, as he finds out it was her first time and she quickly attaches herself.
The long story made short, both John and Jeremy end up on an extended weekend with the Cleary family and hilarity ensues, very much the same way Ben Stiller was put in uncomfortable positions by his fiancé's family in Meet The Parents.
This was a great comedy in which I have heard compared to There's Something About Mary. I would not place it on such an iconic platform but it was very good and holds it's own along with other great comedies of today. Vaughn and Owen are a great team. Will Ferrell is typical Will Ferrell in his small bit part as Chaz. Christopher Walken's part was too small to really be noticed. Isla Fisher played the psycho first-timer in such a way that it even scared me.
The biggest surprise of this movie for me was Rachel McAdams. I took notice of her in Mean Girls and I believed she would be typecast in such roles for probably her whole career but she proved she could carry a movie as the lead love interest and was very captivating with her gorgeous smile.
If you liked the movies mentioned in this review, then I highly recommend seeing this one as well. It will not disappoint. 8.5/10
Business partners John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) are also best friends that go way back. Every year they get together and go on a binge of crashing weddings to take advantage of the romance in the air and ultimately, to score with the jealous bridesmaids, or any other single woman for that matter. John and Jeremy are very smooth and do a lot of research to get a back-story that explains who they are, how they are connected to the families and why they are there. They also have what seems to be at least a hundred rules to ensure the crashing of the wedding goes as planned and of course, this could not be possible without the original wedding crasher, Chaz (Will Ferrell), who is not only THE wedding crasher, but also an innovator, as you will see.
This all works very well for them until they decide to crash the wedding of weddings, Secretary Cleary's (Christopher Walken) daughter and her new husband-to-be. John was unable to achieve his goal at the Cleary wedding of establishing a relationship with his other daughter, Claire (Rachel McAdams), who he is also falling in love with. Jeremy, too, is having his problems after achieving his goal with the Secretary's other daughter, Gloria (Isla Fisher), perhaps a bit too quickly, as he finds out it was her first time and she quickly attaches herself.
The long story made short, both John and Jeremy end up on an extended weekend with the Cleary family and hilarity ensues, very much the same way Ben Stiller was put in uncomfortable positions by his fiancé's family in Meet The Parents.
This was a great comedy in which I have heard compared to There's Something About Mary. I would not place it on such an iconic platform but it was very good and holds it's own along with other great comedies of today. Vaughn and Owen are a great team. Will Ferrell is typical Will Ferrell in his small bit part as Chaz. Christopher Walken's part was too small to really be noticed. Isla Fisher played the psycho first-timer in such a way that it even scared me.
The biggest surprise of this movie for me was Rachel McAdams. I took notice of her in Mean Girls and I believed she would be typecast in such roles for probably her whole career but she proved she could carry a movie as the lead love interest and was very captivating with her gorgeous smile.
If you liked the movies mentioned in this review, then I highly recommend seeing this one as well. It will not disappoint. 8.5/10
A fun comedy that works because of its cast
721mm5 January 2006
Wedding Crashers is a fun comedy that works simply because the filmmakers know what to do with what they've got. The great humor of Wedding Crashers is not found in the cleverness of its script or the creativity of its story, but rather in its lead actors. Had anyone but Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn been the leads, this movie would have tanked. They are both famous for that congenial charisma that so many people find humorous the type that makes them come off as the fun buddies that we all wish we could call up on a Friday night. Director David Dobkin must know this, because he gives Wilson and Vaughn plenty of scenes to show off the qualities that have made them two of America's funniest and most likable stars.
To fulfill the perfect cast, Rachel McAdams and Christopher Walken fill in the necessary roles. McAdams again reminds us why she has become so popular in the past year, glowing with her vibrant smile and charm that interact perfectly with every character on screen, especially Wilson's. Christopher Walken, among his many extraordinary traits, is famous for his dry, sarcastic sense of humor revealed through his one of a kind voice. He gets a chance not only to earn some laughs in a way that only he can do, but also to play the role of the amiable father figure with the great advice.
Make no mistake, though underneath this film's main selling point of a couple of funny guys going around and crashing weddings to sleep with girls (an idea that is just about concluded within the first 15 minutes) is a sappy, conventional chick flick. I use that term carefully though, because Wedding Crashers never actually falls victim to the typical stereotypes of your average chick flick. It avoids them because of its great cast and the chemistry they all share on screen which can appeal to just about anyone who enjoys a good laugh. It conceals the fact that the script is probably one of the worst excuses for a comedy within the past year. What's great is that we never have to look that far because the characters all seem to be enjoying themselves too much, and they make the film just as enjoyable to watch.
To fulfill the perfect cast, Rachel McAdams and Christopher Walken fill in the necessary roles. McAdams again reminds us why she has become so popular in the past year, glowing with her vibrant smile and charm that interact perfectly with every character on screen, especially Wilson's. Christopher Walken, among his many extraordinary traits, is famous for his dry, sarcastic sense of humor revealed through his one of a kind voice. He gets a chance not only to earn some laughs in a way that only he can do, but also to play the role of the amiable father figure with the great advice.
Make no mistake, though underneath this film's main selling point of a couple of funny guys going around and crashing weddings to sleep with girls (an idea that is just about concluded within the first 15 minutes) is a sappy, conventional chick flick. I use that term carefully though, because Wedding Crashers never actually falls victim to the typical stereotypes of your average chick flick. It avoids them because of its great cast and the chemistry they all share on screen which can appeal to just about anyone who enjoys a good laugh. It conceals the fact that the script is probably one of the worst excuses for a comedy within the past year. What's great is that we never have to look that far because the characters all seem to be enjoying themselves too much, and they make the film just as enjoyable to watch.
An engaging romantic comedy.
Hey_Sweden12 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn make a good team as John and Jeremy, two serial womanizers who regularly crash weddings to pick up girls. This has been their tradition for a while, but things go awry when they crash the wedding of the eldest daughter of the Secretary of the Treasury (Christopher Walken). John finds himself falling hard for Claire, daughter # 2 (a radiant Rachel McAdams), and Jeremy gets targeted by Gloria, daughter # 3 (Isla Fisher), a "stage five clinger" who develops a serious infatuation with him.
Overall, "Wedding Crashers" is a fun, if overlong, movie that delivers enough good laughs to keep it watchable. Some of the humour is of course pretty raunchy, and some of the dialogue rather colourful, but there are some amusing moments. Glorias' late-night bout of kinkiness is a good example.
John and Jeremy are characters who might have run the risk of coming off as incredibly sleazy, but Wilson and Vaughn never overdo it, and their amiability does go a long way. But the real value of "Wedding Crashers" is that it offers good comic opportunities for many cast members. Walken is effective, sometimes edging into typical Walken-esque eccentricities, but also making sure to project some actual sense of authority and intimidation. The gorgeous McAdams is ideal, and it's not hard to see why the John character would be so taken with her. Fisher is hilarious as the seemingly unhinged, spoiled-rotten Gloria.
Bradley Cooper, a few years before "The Hangover", portrays the arrogant rich jerk who's actually been dating Claire, and the fact that she clearly shouldn't be with him is obvious from the get-go. Jane Seymour is a hoot as Walkens' hot-to-trot wife. Ellen Albertini Dow is fun as his cranky, foul-mouthed mother. And Ron Canada, as the butler, gets to deliver some priceless lines. Dwight Yoakam and Rebecca DeMornay have cameo roles in the opening minutes; there's also a special (unbilled) guest star who pops up towards the end of the movie.
"Wedding Crashers" is ultimately plenty predictable, but getting to the end is still a reasonably good time, and there's enough emotional content to keep things on a fairly even keel.
Seven out of 10.
Overall, "Wedding Crashers" is a fun, if overlong, movie that delivers enough good laughs to keep it watchable. Some of the humour is of course pretty raunchy, and some of the dialogue rather colourful, but there are some amusing moments. Glorias' late-night bout of kinkiness is a good example.
John and Jeremy are characters who might have run the risk of coming off as incredibly sleazy, but Wilson and Vaughn never overdo it, and their amiability does go a long way. But the real value of "Wedding Crashers" is that it offers good comic opportunities for many cast members. Walken is effective, sometimes edging into typical Walken-esque eccentricities, but also making sure to project some actual sense of authority and intimidation. The gorgeous McAdams is ideal, and it's not hard to see why the John character would be so taken with her. Fisher is hilarious as the seemingly unhinged, spoiled-rotten Gloria.
Bradley Cooper, a few years before "The Hangover", portrays the arrogant rich jerk who's actually been dating Claire, and the fact that she clearly shouldn't be with him is obvious from the get-go. Jane Seymour is a hoot as Walkens' hot-to-trot wife. Ellen Albertini Dow is fun as his cranky, foul-mouthed mother. And Ron Canada, as the butler, gets to deliver some priceless lines. Dwight Yoakam and Rebecca DeMornay have cameo roles in the opening minutes; there's also a special (unbilled) guest star who pops up towards the end of the movie.
"Wedding Crashers" is ultimately plenty predictable, but getting to the end is still a reasonably good time, and there's enough emotional content to keep things on a fairly even keel.
Seven out of 10.
Come on...
cnwiper3 January 2007
OK ,i did find the premise interesting , but come on, the acting is frequently over the top, the characters reactions extreme and unbelievable and so is the ease by which the central heroes "score" with women looking better than top models, as well as their total "immunity" to the occasionally "out of this world" beauty and heavenly figure of some of their "victims" until the "right" one comes along...Needless to say that despite it's somewhat original premise ,the film is ridden with clichés and of course a cheesy "happy" end...The movie tries hard to not be too sleazy, but sleazy enough for teenagers but the result is not so attractive... On the other hand, there are some clever lines and funny scenes and likable protagonists. Overall though unconvincing and unsatisfactory and therefore, overrated...
Crashers rock!
muri735 July 2005
Movie lives through Vaughn and Wilson. Both show an easy performance and want the audience to just simply have a good time.
The Story is nothing spectacular. If you liked "Meet the Fockers", you're gonna like this one as well.
Its the actors, who make the difference. Vaughn is hilarious and proofs, that he's much better in comedies than in "serious" movies. Wilson plays himself (as in every one of his movies) and scores a good 2nd place.
Walken is just Walken and thats worth half the ticket. The girls are gorgeous. Especially Rachel McAdams knocked me out. Holy Cow! The Crashers are good fun. Not an new invention of the genre, but especially because of the actors, this movie rocks!
The Story is nothing spectacular. If you liked "Meet the Fockers", you're gonna like this one as well.
Its the actors, who make the difference. Vaughn is hilarious and proofs, that he's much better in comedies than in "serious" movies. Wilson plays himself (as in every one of his movies) and scores a good 2nd place.
Walken is just Walken and thats worth half the ticket. The girls are gorgeous. Especially Rachel McAdams knocked me out. Holy Cow! The Crashers are good fun. Not an new invention of the genre, but especially because of the actors, this movie rocks!
A lot of fun
TheLittleSongbird8 October 2011
Wedding Crashers mayn't be a perfect film, but it is a very funny one. The editing could've been smoother and transitioned better into scenes, the film is a tad over-stretched in the final act and it could've been shorter. However, with its rude, raunchy yet very funny humour, the film is very funny helped by the witty script. The idea for the story is a good one, and works wonderfully in two-thirds of the movie, it is well filmed and directed and has a memorable soundtrack. The cast are great, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are great together and both give some of their best work of their careers. Rachel McAdams, Christopher Walken, Isla Fisher and Jane Seymour also impress. The characters are clichéd in a sense, but they are also examples of those that you learn to love the more you see the film. Overall, a lot of fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox
One of the funniest films I've ever seen
epicbrowniez21 December 2020
Hyped
dtfernandes21 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe it was because of the hype and my lofty expectations entering Wedding Crashers but overall I was disappointed with this film. While the idea is solid and there are some moments of brilliance it is ultimately ruined by a cookie cutter plot and an attempt to appeal to as broad an audience as possible. The potential of this movie is derailed during the way too frequent attempts to play to the "chick filck" demographic. Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrel can be some of the funniest people when left to their own devices, but I have trouble believing the claim that they were the creative forces behind most of this movie as is widely reported. Some of the funniest scenes and lines were improvisational, but these moments are definitely outnumbered by the insufferable amount of scenes that forward the "plot." I'm sure studios are reluctant to release films that don't have a feel-good resolution, or that are irrelevant and nonsensical, but this film is so formulaic it hurts. This movie ends up feeling as much "50 First Dates" as it does "Old School." In my opinion this movie would have been funnier, although perhaps less financially successful, if they had made it far less predictable and clichéd. Unfortunately this movie will make a good deal of money and will make the studios even more averse to producing real comedies.
Wedding Crashers is a comedy worth watching and is memorable for many reasons, the characters and actors are a big part of it
Holt3442 February 2022
The film follows John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey (Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn), a pair of committed womanizers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic tinge in the air, they find themselves at odds with one another when John meets and falls for Claire Cleary (Rachel McAdams). Wedding Crashers is directed by David Dobkin and written by Steve Faber and Bob Fisher. The cast has lots of famous actors, including Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Bradley Cooper and Jane Seymour. But honestly the film wouldn't be as good if it weren't for Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, they do a phenomenal job in this film thanks to their amazing chemistry and just acting chops and comedic timing. The supporting cast does too a great job, everyone are a joy to watch. You notice what a good time the actors had filming this and that's how a comedy works the best. The jokes and dialogue are great and the improvisation done by the actors were phenomenal.
Wedding Crashers is actually well written and the plot is quite original, mostly because of the screenplay being top notch. But unexpectedly, the editing is great and the cinematography is perfect. David Dobkin's direction and visual storytelling is terrific, he created a romantic comedy that will be remembered for years. It's made by adults for adults, you should know it's credited with helping to revive the popularity of adult-oriented, R-rated comedies. Films like these are scarce as it's genuinely a great and well thought out comedy, made with the upmost care by the people behind the camera and on the camera, and of course everyone else who worked on Wedding Crashers. Andrew Panay, co-producer of the film, had the idea for the film based on his own experience as a wedding crasher in his youth. The first half of the film is superb, it sadly stumbles a bit towards the ending, but overall an incredible comedy.
Wedding Crashers is actually well written and the plot is quite original, mostly because of the screenplay being top notch. But unexpectedly, the editing is great and the cinematography is perfect. David Dobkin's direction and visual storytelling is terrific, he created a romantic comedy that will be remembered for years. It's made by adults for adults, you should know it's credited with helping to revive the popularity of adult-oriented, R-rated comedies. Films like these are scarce as it's genuinely a great and well thought out comedy, made with the upmost care by the people behind the camera and on the camera, and of course everyone else who worked on Wedding Crashers. Andrew Panay, co-producer of the film, had the idea for the film based on his own experience as a wedding crasher in his youth. The first half of the film is superb, it sadly stumbles a bit towards the ending, but overall an incredible comedy.
Starts with a bang ... ends with a whimper
transmitter18 July 2005
In this unsurprising storyline (with a comedic twist), John (Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince) are, ironically, wedding counselors/mediators who look forward to weddings more than Christmas. Why? Because weddings give them a chance to take advantage of emotionally vulnerable women, feast on free food, dance all night, and take their libido to the next level. Both are stylish, smooth talking mid/late 30 somethings that have bedposts notched neck high. The film and editing are fast and furious until John has a moment of clarity and falls for Claire (played beautifully by the modest Rachel McAdams), the daughter of a powerful senator. Claire is in a relationship and this only heightens the chase. It's this moment, when we discover that John really is more than meets the eye that the film starts to turn a corner into "serious comedy" and all the gut-busting humor is left behind. Bit roles by Christopher Walken and Will Farrell can't save this movie from going stale. The ending is tied neatly in a bow, and with all the hype and potential, the morning after leaves a dull headache.
Tiresome and sophomoric rubbish
brianberwyn6 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Plumbing new depths in vulgarity and tastelessness, "Wedding Crashers" is a tiresome compilation of recent American guy-girl movie clichés. The acting is poor and the script worse, making the cinema seat harder as each long minute goes by. Of course the audience lapped it all up, guffawing at each sophomoric gag. How depressing to see that this awful movie is #1 at the box office. Good cinematography doesn't rescue it. We squirm seeing Christopher Walken and Jane Seymour repeatedly embarrassing themselves. We yawn at Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson lurching from unbelievable "I love ya Buddy" male bonding to predatory joint hunting of generic society chicks. Compared with the finer acting and script of now-running "Must Love Dogs", the winner of the toilet humor, bad language, degrade women and insult gays genre is undoubtedly "Wedding Crashers". Insatiable public appetite for this rubbish will ensure that we soon might see even worse movies, if that is possible.
satisfactory romantic comedy, brings its laughs, and its predictability in tow
Quinoa198428 July 2005
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, the stars bringing this vehicle to theaters (there are other notables in the case, but not with the kind of draw of these two), are very talented, and usually pretty amusing. Wilson, for my money, is the subtler of the two, and is more of the leading man, while Vaughn is usually over-the-top in his double-talk, and garners some laughs even when some fall flat. They take the film Wedding Crashers and make it watchable, along with some supporting actors playing strange characters. It's not as wild as one might expect from the trailers, and as a 'date' movie it's rather predictable.
The opening twenty minutes is close to genius, by introducing the audience into this care-free, inspired montage of Wilson and Vaughn crashing the weddings, enjoying the celebrations, and going to bed with many women. It's not laugh out loud funny, but it garners a few small laughs, and it a very good set-up for what seems to be a film in this vein. It's not quite the case- we get a story that sort of goes on auto-pilot (to put it another way, I've seen a story like this many times over in mainstream romantic comedies) wherein Vaughn gets dragged into staying for a day with the daughter (Isla Fisher, perhaps the best overall funny performance) of the Secretary of Treasury (Christopher Walken, of all people), and Wilson goes along as he tries to woo another daughter (Rachel McAdams, a beauty no doubt) who is already in a relationship with a alpha-male guy (Bradley Cooper). This is when formula takes over.
While the laughs are there, including a crazy dinner scene (it's like a 30's screwball comedy crossed with American Pie for this scene, one of the funniest), a demented quasi-rape of Vaughn on his first night at the Clearys, and some other amusing parts sprinkled throughout the film, there are flaws. For one, it does go a little longer than it should- a couple of scenes could've been cut, or at least trimmed. At two hours, a romp of a romantic comedy shouldn't feel this over-long (a lot of it for the story of Wilson and McAdams' characters, who have good chemistry, but don't have much room to go in the formula). Another problem is under-developed, or non-developed characters.
Take the character Cooper plays, Sack- he's been with Claire (McAdams) for over three years, and yet she is everything that he isn't. He's a one-dimensional villain, someone who is so obvious that it doesn't leave much room for conflict or second guessing about where the film will go. This goes for the Walken character as well, who seems mis-cast in a film where his odd comic genius and timing could come in well, but he doesn't bring much to the table aside from maybe one laugh (perhaps not intentional). Ironically, two characters who score a lot of points when they appear on screen, Will Ferrel as the Wedding Crasher legend Chaz, and Keir O'Donnell as the closet-freak/brother Todd, get very little time to bring funnier bits (they're stuck, again, in the traction of the screenplay, who do what they can in the time given).
Wedding Crashers did give a couple of surprises, and it is gleeful, dumb fun for most of the way. But when it comes to the last quarter it starts to drag, the laughs become more diminished, and it becomes more of waiting for the last scene than being entertained. The whole aspect of the lying theme of the film fits in, yet really as story devices. In short, it's a film that brings in its moments well, and gives some good room for Wilson and Vaughn to work in (Vaughn, whom I've always gotten the least of laughs in the pack of Wilsons, Ferrell, and Stiller in their films, actually makes good on a lot of the set-ups and pay-offs of the absurdities). But the script and actors tend to stumble as much as they make it entertaining. 6/10 or a B-
The opening twenty minutes is close to genius, by introducing the audience into this care-free, inspired montage of Wilson and Vaughn crashing the weddings, enjoying the celebrations, and going to bed with many women. It's not laugh out loud funny, but it garners a few small laughs, and it a very good set-up for what seems to be a film in this vein. It's not quite the case- we get a story that sort of goes on auto-pilot (to put it another way, I've seen a story like this many times over in mainstream romantic comedies) wherein Vaughn gets dragged into staying for a day with the daughter (Isla Fisher, perhaps the best overall funny performance) of the Secretary of Treasury (Christopher Walken, of all people), and Wilson goes along as he tries to woo another daughter (Rachel McAdams, a beauty no doubt) who is already in a relationship with a alpha-male guy (Bradley Cooper). This is when formula takes over.
While the laughs are there, including a crazy dinner scene (it's like a 30's screwball comedy crossed with American Pie for this scene, one of the funniest), a demented quasi-rape of Vaughn on his first night at the Clearys, and some other amusing parts sprinkled throughout the film, there are flaws. For one, it does go a little longer than it should- a couple of scenes could've been cut, or at least trimmed. At two hours, a romp of a romantic comedy shouldn't feel this over-long (a lot of it for the story of Wilson and McAdams' characters, who have good chemistry, but don't have much room to go in the formula). Another problem is under-developed, or non-developed characters.
Take the character Cooper plays, Sack- he's been with Claire (McAdams) for over three years, and yet she is everything that he isn't. He's a one-dimensional villain, someone who is so obvious that it doesn't leave much room for conflict or second guessing about where the film will go. This goes for the Walken character as well, who seems mis-cast in a film where his odd comic genius and timing could come in well, but he doesn't bring much to the table aside from maybe one laugh (perhaps not intentional). Ironically, two characters who score a lot of points when they appear on screen, Will Ferrel as the Wedding Crasher legend Chaz, and Keir O'Donnell as the closet-freak/brother Todd, get very little time to bring funnier bits (they're stuck, again, in the traction of the screenplay, who do what they can in the time given).
Wedding Crashers did give a couple of surprises, and it is gleeful, dumb fun for most of the way. But when it comes to the last quarter it starts to drag, the laughs become more diminished, and it becomes more of waiting for the last scene than being entertained. The whole aspect of the lying theme of the film fits in, yet really as story devices. In short, it's a film that brings in its moments well, and gives some good room for Wilson and Vaughn to work in (Vaughn, whom I've always gotten the least of laughs in the pack of Wilsons, Ferrell, and Stiller in their films, actually makes good on a lot of the set-ups and pay-offs of the absurdities). But the script and actors tend to stumble as much as they make it entertaining. 6/10 or a B-
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