Also Written by Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild (Also Ted)
Also Starring:
Charlize Theron (The Devil's Advocate)
Neil Patrick Harris (Gone Girl)
Liam Neeson (Batman Begins)
Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls)
Gotta love it when a film blasts its title out in some dialogue. This crude and vulgar western comedy musters up enough wit and energy that I could not help but be charmed by it. Born from the ashes of Blazing Saddles, it may not have the same borders to cross as that legendary film but it manages to find a nice place for itself in that lofty shadow. Driven by a foul-mouthed silliness, the real success is how sincere the whole thing feels. MacFarlane must have had a high level of energy behind the camera as he was able to inject the actors with welcomed touch of investment. It seemed like they all enjoyed working on this movie.
Sadly the trailers give away quite a few of the bigger gags but we're still treated to enough fresh jokes Throw in MacFarlane's knack for kooky musical numbers and Theron getting her comedy on in a way she hasn't since Arrested Development and we've got an enjoyable film going on. It helps that I have a soft spot for silliness and NPH (Who doesn't have a soft spot for NPH?)
This movie gives you the basics every western brings in an attempt to parody them. We have our hero, we have our love interest, we have our rough and tumble outlaw villain, a whore, a side kick, the works.
 |
| Yup, all there. |
The Villain, Clinch, is overly cliched and portrayed with a refreshing sinister Irish sneer only Liam Neeson could unleash. Such a simple evil, contextualized in such a way, namely wrapped up in idiocy, where it comes across as entirely unique. The comedic frame MacFarlane adds, feeds every other cliched character a genuine response. I was reminded of the writing on Parks and Recreation's early episodes vs the later and better ones. The writers write how characters react, altering how the audience relates to that character. It worked for Leslie Knope and is put to a similar effect here.
Sincere in their emotion what ever it may be. As silly and crude as it gets, MacFarlane's passion for this project seeps into each stupid character and the generic western supporting cast is endearingly hilarious if you let them be. From the dad, to the Indians, to the fair workers, the roles are played with that vital sincerity needed to make any comedy a hit with audiences. Even when you know they are coming, the jokes can manage to get a smile. The cameos are diverse, some subtle, some overt but each serves their purpose which, again, is comedy. It'll be fun seeing if it can stave off those Razzie nominations. I'll be rooting for it to pull through unscathed.
Sincere in their emotion what ever it may be. As silly and crude as it gets, MacFarlane's passion for this project seeps into each stupid character and the generic western supporting cast is endearingly hilarious if you let them be. From the dad, to the Indians, to the fair workers, the roles are played with that vital sincerity needed to make any comedy a hit with audiences. Even when you know they are coming, the jokes can manage to get a smile. The cameos are diverse, some subtle, some overt but each serves their purpose which, again, is comedy. It'll be fun seeing if it can stave off those Razzie nominations. I'll be rooting for it to pull through unscathed.
Bottom Line: I saw here glimpses of what the Lone Ranger could have been. A western with heart, albeit a heart with literal feces of all sorts running through its arteries. A dash of romance, a pinch of self discovery, and solid, sometimes surprisingly grand camera work make this a pretty decent film. Not everyone will enjoy the niche comedy but those who eat up Family Guy certainly will.
8 out of 10.
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