With a title that doesn't seem to have anything to do with the movie itself, "Movie 43" is essentially a bunch of individual comedy sketches that are not so much offensively vulgar (as promised) as they are offensively unfunny; and sloppily put together at that. Directed by a slew of different directors (but mostly by Peter Ferrely) and starring Kate Winslet, Liev Schreiber, Anna Faris, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and the list goes on (but you've surely seen the trailers by now) "Movie 43" is the newest movie hoping to push the boundaries of the raunchy American comedy. So, does it succeed? My consensus has to be
ehhhhhhh.
Yes, this is all very sophomoric, but that's not to say that there are not laughs to be found. In saying that, while I don't share quite the same loathsome regard for this film as many of my fellow critics do, those who come out of "Movie 43" proclaiming it a laugh riot, are probably the same people who classify Adam Sandler as a comedian or amuse themselves by watching syndicated episodes of America's Funniest Home Videos. Even with its star power and the potential comedic material each sketch promises, "Movie 43" isn't really a film worth watching. In fact, I will go so far as to make the early prediction that this is one film which seems destined to make it onto more than a few peoples "worst of 2013" lists.
Aside from the first two sketches (which are admittedly pretty damn funny) a final sketch which works primarily because of Terrance Howard (the African American basketball skit from the trailer) and a post final credit segment concerning a woman played by Elizabeth Banks, who is jealous of her boyfriend's pet cat (animated cat) that is somewhat funny, "Movie 43" is simply not nearly as funny as it promotes itself to be. In fact, about an hour and fifteen minutes of this movie is so unfunny, that it rivals anything seen in the "Scary Movie" franchise. And to top it all off, it's not like I haven't seen comedies which are more vulgar than this; and done better. So even to say that one should see "Movie 43" because it is the most vulgar movie of all time is in fact a misnomer; but one which will undoubtedly result in garnering more ticket sales.
Side Note: This is the type of sketch comedy movie that seems as if the actors had more fun making it than anybody could have watching it. So, no doubt there will be many critical reviews comparing this film to a bad episode of Saturday Night Live, in a tired attempt at comedy. But creating comedic parallels between "Movie 43" and SNL may be a misconception, when sadly most of this film is motivated by uninventive poo poo and pee pee jokes, more so the likes of the defunked MADTV, than any other sketch comedy show.
Final Thought: Even though it's the cocktail of wishful thinking that maybe the next bit is going to be better than the last boring bit, or the morbid curiosity that comes from wanting to see who will be the next big name actor/actress to make an appearance that does give this film it's momentum, "Movie 43" is severely hindered by the fact that it contains a runtime longer than 15 minutes. So, here's my advice: The first sketch in this movie centers around a woman played by Kate Winslet going out on a blind date, only to discover that it is with a man played by Hugh Jackman. Delighted by her good fortune, she prepares to accompany him for dinner. But when Jackman takes off his scarf, it is discovered that he has been hiding a mortifyingly hilarious secret. Now, I have just outlined the funniest sketch of the entire film. So, if you sit through this one, and don't laugh once, what I want you to do is, get up, make your way to the theater's box office and ask for your money back, because for you, it will only get worse from here.
Written by Markus Robinson, Edited by Nicole I. Ashland Follow me on Twitter @moviesmarkus
Yes, this is all very sophomoric, but that's not to say that there are not laughs to be found. In saying that, while I don't share quite the same loathsome regard for this film as many of my fellow critics do, those who come out of "Movie 43" proclaiming it a laugh riot, are probably the same people who classify Adam Sandler as a comedian or amuse themselves by watching syndicated episodes of America's Funniest Home Videos. Even with its star power and the potential comedic material each sketch promises, "Movie 43" isn't really a film worth watching. In fact, I will go so far as to make the early prediction that this is one film which seems destined to make it onto more than a few peoples "worst of 2013" lists.
Aside from the first two sketches (which are admittedly pretty damn funny) a final sketch which works primarily because of Terrance Howard (the African American basketball skit from the trailer) and a post final credit segment concerning a woman played by Elizabeth Banks, who is jealous of her boyfriend's pet cat (animated cat) that is somewhat funny, "Movie 43" is simply not nearly as funny as it promotes itself to be. In fact, about an hour and fifteen minutes of this movie is so unfunny, that it rivals anything seen in the "Scary Movie" franchise. And to top it all off, it's not like I haven't seen comedies which are more vulgar than this; and done better. So even to say that one should see "Movie 43" because it is the most vulgar movie of all time is in fact a misnomer; but one which will undoubtedly result in garnering more ticket sales.
Side Note: This is the type of sketch comedy movie that seems as if the actors had more fun making it than anybody could have watching it. So, no doubt there will be many critical reviews comparing this film to a bad episode of Saturday Night Live, in a tired attempt at comedy. But creating comedic parallels between "Movie 43" and SNL may be a misconception, when sadly most of this film is motivated by uninventive poo poo and pee pee jokes, more so the likes of the defunked MADTV, than any other sketch comedy show.
Final Thought: Even though it's the cocktail of wishful thinking that maybe the next bit is going to be better than the last boring bit, or the morbid curiosity that comes from wanting to see who will be the next big name actor/actress to make an appearance that does give this film it's momentum, "Movie 43" is severely hindered by the fact that it contains a runtime longer than 15 minutes. So, here's my advice: The first sketch in this movie centers around a woman played by Kate Winslet going out on a blind date, only to discover that it is with a man played by Hugh Jackman. Delighted by her good fortune, she prepares to accompany him for dinner. But when Jackman takes off his scarf, it is discovered that he has been hiding a mortifyingly hilarious secret. Now, I have just outlined the funniest sketch of the entire film. So, if you sit through this one, and don't laugh once, what I want you to do is, get up, make your way to the theater's box office and ask for your money back, because for you, it will only get worse from here.
Written by Markus Robinson, Edited by Nicole I. Ashland Follow me on Twitter @moviesmarkus