Who among us doesn’t love a good spoof movie? You in the back row, with your hand up….yeah you, leave now. Seriously though spoof movies are a go to brand of comedy, usually because they are so easy to do. I mean, your story or at least basic premise is already there and you just have to make fun of the clichés from the source material. The real question is; Does MacGruber hold up as a good spoof movie or just another crappy SNL skit turned movie. You heard me right now only is this a spoof but also taken from an SNL skit. MacGruber is the world’s greatest special ops agent. When the world is in danger from the evil Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer) only one man will do…MACGRUBER! Unfortunately he’s been presumed dead for the past ten years. When he’s found in a monastery MacGruber is reactivated and back on the job to save the world armed with whatever household materials he can find around him. MacGruber is joined on his quest by his former partner, Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) and much to his behest the young lieutenant Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillipe). Together they must solve the case and stop Von Cunth before he decimates our nation’s capital.
Boy did I think this movie was going to blow…and boy was I wrong. I’ll readily admit when I’m mistaken about a movie and this certainly was one of them. Don’t be thrown off by the trailers, which showcase the worst jokes in the movie, this flick is damn funny. It’s not really surprising that they couldn’t show the hilarity in the previews since most if not ALL of it is of an R, almost X, rated nature. Forte’s timing is great as the title character and his willingness to take it all the way is what makes this movie what it is. Wiig, who I always love for her quirky way, is in fine form and easily stands up with Forte in the funnier parts of the film. One person who I was very pleased to see deliver was Val Kilmer. The one time superstar has been all but absent in recent years and is almost unrecognizable given the weight he’s put on, that aside I think he’s got a great career ahead of him still playing villains. He’s perfectly odd as the lunatic businessman with world domination aspirations. Kilmer is a lot like Nic Cage in his performances, the more off the better. Add to the performances some really great throwbacks to some of the memorable clichés of TV and Movies in the 80’s as well as a soundtrack right from that era and you have something completely worth watching.
While the movie is consistently hilarious, it’s certainly not for those with a weak stomach. If you’re a fan of the more “intelligent” type of humor, I suggest you go elsewhere. MacGruber is packed with as much bawdy humor as you can pack this side of the censorship line. To set the line, a guy literally puts a head of lettuce in his ass during this movie…that’s how far it goes, and verbally even farther almost to the point of discomfort, but not quite. I’ve elaborated plenty on how funny I thought this movie was, but that’s not to say every joke hits the funny bone. It seemed that every time they attempted a joke that you could air on primetime TV it fell flat on its ass. It also goes without saying that things like character development and story are simply thrown to the wayside but honestly, had they included things like that it only would’ve slowed the humor.
MacGruber had me leaving the theater completely converted; I went in expecting a horrible film and walked out with a stomach ache from laughing so much. While it’s not for everyone the flick is definitely for those into a gross out brand of humor. The audience I saw the movie with would, it seemed, agree with me completely as the theater was loud with laughter from start to end. At only an hour and 20 minutes it would be hard to say MacGruber was a waste of time even if it wasn’t so funny, but honestly I would say this is the best SNL movie since Wayne’s World. If you’ve got the time, and the stomach, check this one out.
3.5 out of 5 Guttenbergs
