MacGruber

Synopsis: Ex-special agent operative MacGruber is called back into action when his archenemy threatens world safety with a nuclear weapon.

Release Date: May 21, 2010     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Comedy,

Film Review

As far as stupid, low brow, and completely void of any redeeming quality comedies go, “MacGruber” falls right in line. What makes it surprising and unique is that it is entertaining the entire time. Based off of a Saturday Night Live character, featuring the lead Will Forte as MacGruber, what could have been a sad attempt at bringing to the big screen a character better suited for five minutes on the small screen has instead turned into something anyone willing to forego any level of intelligent cinema will enjoy. This credit for such must be given to the main characters of the film and their performances. MacGruber (Will Forte) is a man child given the fate of the world in his hands and Forte makes this ridiculous incarnation of a sad MacGyver-type with a piece of Rambo thrown in thoroughly captivating. Mostly because of his inept ability to actually stop a threat. Then there is Kristen Wiig as Vicki St. Elmo. Each line she delivers in her deadpan comedic style gives the audience something to grin about. The two work incredibly well together with their seemingly different styles of performance and comedy making the movie more accessible to different tastes. By pairing them together, along with a more statuesque, rule abiding Lt. Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe) to balance out the two, the movie becomes more than thought possible. Watching MacGruber attempt to save the World from the evil Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer) is not going to win any awards or have you telling your friends to run out and watch it…BUT…it will not make you completely wish you had gone bowling instead.

All of the characters in this film are funny in their own specific ways. MacGruber himself falls into the cheap, and often times offensive, realm of comedy. Using a gaggle of homophobic references or innuendo, as a viewer it is uncomfortable at times to watch and listen as he carries on. The jokes do not resonate very well and it is more his antics than anything he says exactly that gets you to laugh. The cheapest trick the writers of the film use as an attempt at humor is the last name of the enemy, Cunth. If you cannot see the play on words there then you will not get the attempted joke. If you do see it it should tell you everything you need to know about what type of humor you are about to walk into if you go and see this film.

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): Jorma Taccone
• Producer(s): Will ForteJohn SolomonJorma TacconeWill Forte (MacGruber)
• Screenwriter(s): Val Kilmer (Dieter Von Cunth)Kristen Wiig (Vicki St. Elmo)Ryan Phillippe (Lt. Dixon Piper)
• Story: 
• Cast:  Jamie GrossBrandon TrostRobb Wilson King
• Editor(s): Susanna Puisto
• Cinematographer: Matthew Compton
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): 
• Music Score: 
• Music Performed By: 
• Country Of Origin: USA