For many of us, the year 1994 was not only remembered for classic hits such as The Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. That same year, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels partnered in Dumb and Dumber, as best friends Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, which remained as one of the cult classic comedies till this very day. Twenty years after the two nincompoop dimwits set out for a hilarious, dumb, and a nostalgic road trip to Aspen, Colorado; they are back once again for a brand new adventure – this time to a brainy convention at El Paso, Texas. With the return of the two iconic actors and the directors-cum-writers-cum-creators - the Farrelly brothers, we should expect this new trip a very much back to the memorial lane. But that, until we come to realize how time has changed and how this sequel is more likely a desperate attempt to recapture its glorious past. To be honest, though, Dumb and Dumber To is not that bad, it is just trying too hard to impress.
For the last twenty years, Lloyd has been institutionalized in a mental hospital ever since his romantic affair with Mary Swanson failed. In a recent visit, Harry realizes that Lloyd is pranking him and is fully committed to it as a joke. When the duo returns home to their apartment, Harry informs Lloyd that he has a medical issue which requires him to have a kidney transplant. Later, Harry discovers that may have a biological daughter after receiving a postcard whom Freida (Kathleen Turner) sent back in 1991. The duos visit Freida in her family’s funeral parlour, but she informs them that she gave up the daughter, Fanny for adoption. The duo decides to find Fanny (Rachel Melvin), who is now living with Dr. Pinchelow in Maryland, in the hope that Fanny can be Harry’s kidney donor.
With all that is being said, the sequel comes with a full adoration and recycling of the satirical gags that the original invented. Those who remembered the 1994's comedy well will definitely appreciate the dog-wagon car, the upside down air spray scenes, "the most annoying sound" and Billy, the parakeet's blind owner gag. Otherwise, besides its attempt to replicate the 1994’s hit, the movie also occasionally finds itself serving good LOL moments and remain consistently dumb (Re: funny). The amazing acting performances, and clean chemistry from both Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, certainly help to please the joke down the throat. But, while the infusion of these comedic elements works well to evoke some of the fun from past; the story, however, is not so much as glorious as it should be. Perhaps, it is true that aging does not necessarily bring good tidings or wisdom to the story. Instead, it suffers from over-familiar stiffness like other modern comedies, stuffed with predictable plots and over the top (and gross) script. There are also moments when the jokes and dialogues feels outright forced and contrived, as well as unnecessary clichéd.
Truth to be told, many will find Dumb and Dumber To, a mixed bag. Even if it tends to do no harm, the sequel caught itself between the memorable good old story and performance-driven comedy, and the disappointingly repetitive, cliché plot devises. So, it is understandable if you cannot decide if this is good or bad. C+
Trailer:
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For the last twenty years, Lloyd has been institutionalized in a mental hospital ever since his romantic affair with Mary Swanson failed. In a recent visit, Harry realizes that Lloyd is pranking him and is fully committed to it as a joke. When the duo returns home to their apartment, Harry informs Lloyd that he has a medical issue which requires him to have a kidney transplant. Later, Harry discovers that may have a biological daughter after receiving a postcard whom Freida (Kathleen Turner) sent back in 1991. The duos visit Freida in her family’s funeral parlour, but she informs them that she gave up the daughter, Fanny for adoption. The duo decides to find Fanny (Rachel Melvin), who is now living with Dr. Pinchelow in Maryland, in the hope that Fanny can be Harry’s kidney donor.
With all that is being said, the sequel comes with a full adoration and recycling of the satirical gags that the original invented. Those who remembered the 1994's comedy well will definitely appreciate the dog-wagon car, the upside down air spray scenes, "the most annoying sound" and Billy, the parakeet's blind owner gag. Otherwise, besides its attempt to replicate the 1994’s hit, the movie also occasionally finds itself serving good LOL moments and remain consistently dumb (Re: funny). The amazing acting performances, and clean chemistry from both Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, certainly help to please the joke down the throat. But, while the infusion of these comedic elements works well to evoke some of the fun from past; the story, however, is not so much as glorious as it should be. Perhaps, it is true that aging does not necessarily bring good tidings or wisdom to the story. Instead, it suffers from over-familiar stiffness like other modern comedies, stuffed with predictable plots and over the top (and gross) script. There are also moments when the jokes and dialogues feels outright forced and contrived, as well as unnecessary clichéd.
Truth to be told, many will find Dumb and Dumber To, a mixed bag. Even if it tends to do no harm, the sequel caught itself between the memorable good old story and performance-driven comedy, and the disappointingly repetitive, cliché plot devises. So, it is understandable if you cannot decide if this is good or bad. C+
Numerical Rating (In case you are also interested):
Story: 2.5
Casts: 4.0
Cinematography: 3.5
Effects: 3.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 12.4/20.0
Story: 2.5
Casts: 4.0
Cinematography: 3.5
Effects: 3.0
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 12.4/20.0
Trailer:
Info Dashboard:
Dumb and DUmber To
Casts: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden, Kathleen Turner, Rachel Melvin, Steve Tom, Rob Riggle
Distributor: Universal Pictures (via TGV Pictures)
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Screenplay: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Sean Anders , Bennett Yellin , John Morris
Rating: P13
Release date: 27 November 2014
Running time: 109 minutes
Casts: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden, Kathleen Turner, Rachel Melvin, Steve Tom, Rob Riggle
Distributor: Universal Pictures (via TGV Pictures)
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Screenplay: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, Sean Anders , Bennett Yellin , John Morris
Rating: P13
Release date: 27 November 2014
Running time: 109 minutes
