I'd been hearing about how "bad" this movie was since early last year, when it was bounced from its original May 2003 release date, but even with those low expectations, this film still disappointed with a general "blah-ness" about it, as well as a lack of substance, humor or charm of any kind. How can a movie directed by Barry Levinson and starring hot properties Jack Black and Ben Stiller, hottie Rachel Weisz, funny Amy Poehler and Christopher "the man" Walken not entertain, you may ask? Rent this movie and find out. I say "rent" because there's no reason in the world that anyone should have to pay to see this shit (get it?) in theaters, particularly because it doesn't appear as though anyone related to the production gave a shit (get it?) about its audience either. From lame "shit" puns like the lame puffballs delivered by yours truly in the previous sentence, to a lack of genuine funny situations to an overall feeling of disconnection with anyone in the picture, I couldn't help but wonder how so many seemingly great elements could end up with something so lifeless, so empty, so un-funny. In fact, if it wasn't for the great Walken and his over-the-top patented line deliveries (notice how he emphasizes only the words that he wants...and it works!), a couple of typical spastic Black moments (although he's reined back here) and one funny speech by Stiller near the end of the film (but even that...goes on for way too long), the film's got zero laughs.
See joblo.com for full review.
