The Campaign
2.5/4
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Sarah Baker, Katherine LaNasa, Dan Aykroyd, John Lithgow, Brian Cox
Rated R for Crude Sexual Content, Language and Brief Nudity
"The Campaign" defines, in movie terms, inconsistent. There are some scenes of inspired comedy. But there are just as many, if not more, that are overlong or simply not as funny as the filmmakers think they are. In terms of plot, it's more like a series of skits than a story. The pacing is wildly uneven, and the ending rings false. Still, I did laugh every now and then and chuckle a lot more than that.
In a North Carolina district, Congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) is running for his fifth term in office. He's the favorite to win because there's no competition. But the Moch brothers (Aykroyd and Lithgow) want him out because Brady isn't willing to help them further their business agendas. Therefore, they enlist Republican legend Raymond Huggins' (Cox) effeminate, willing to please son, Marty (Galifianakis). To help him, the Mochs send in Tim Wattely (McDermott) to be his campaign manager. No holds are barred and nothing is sacred as Cam and Marty try to beat each other by any means possible.
Will Ferrell is one of the most inconsistent comedians working today. He's been funny in some movies ("Elf" and "Old School" come to mind), while also appearing in some truly awful ones ("Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"). "The Campaign" is one of the former. He's kept in check and given decent material. Methinks Ferrell needs to stop working with Adam McKay (who was behind both "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights." Zach Galifianakis is hilarious as the ineffectual Marty Huggins. With his feminine mannerisms and voice, he is probably the candidate least likely to be successful. But with the ruthless Tim Wattely on his side, that might change. As Tim, McDermott oozes an icy malice. One might be interested in seeing him play a serial killer. Jason Sudeikis brings to mind Ed Helms as Mitch, Cam's friend and campaign manager.
The man at the helm of the project is Jay Roach, who directed the "Austin Powers" movies and the "Meet the Parents" movies. The man's work is solid, but he needs a better editor. Some scenes are funny, but others are just far too long. The scene where Cam blows up because the racy ad he wants to run is turned down by Mitch.
The second problem is that the film lacks teeth. The film makes some pointed remarks about big business buying politicians (the Moch brothers are obvious stand-ins for the Koch brothers). But that's it. It's mainly just crude satire. As I've said, some of this stuff is truly funny (the funniest scenes in the trailer are expanded upon and much funnier in the actual film).
Look. I can't recommend the movie. But it is what it is. If you're a Will Ferrell or Zach Galifianakis fan, and all you're looking for is a few good laughs and don't mind if there are a few lengthy dead spots, see it. But for those who are looking for more may want to skip it.
Don't I say this for every 2.5/4 movie?
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Sarah Baker, Katherine LaNasa, Dan Aykroyd, John Lithgow, Brian Cox
Rated R for Crude Sexual Content, Language and Brief Nudity
"The Campaign" defines, in movie terms, inconsistent. There are some scenes of inspired comedy. But there are just as many, if not more, that are overlong or simply not as funny as the filmmakers think they are. In terms of plot, it's more like a series of skits than a story. The pacing is wildly uneven, and the ending rings false. Still, I did laugh every now and then and chuckle a lot more than that.
In a North Carolina district, Congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) is running for his fifth term in office. He's the favorite to win because there's no competition. But the Moch brothers (Aykroyd and Lithgow) want him out because Brady isn't willing to help them further their business agendas. Therefore, they enlist Republican legend Raymond Huggins' (Cox) effeminate, willing to please son, Marty (Galifianakis). To help him, the Mochs send in Tim Wattely (McDermott) to be his campaign manager. No holds are barred and nothing is sacred as Cam and Marty try to beat each other by any means possible.
Will Ferrell is one of the most inconsistent comedians working today. He's been funny in some movies ("Elf" and "Old School" come to mind), while also appearing in some truly awful ones ("Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"). "The Campaign" is one of the former. He's kept in check and given decent material. Methinks Ferrell needs to stop working with Adam McKay (who was behind both "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights." Zach Galifianakis is hilarious as the ineffectual Marty Huggins. With his feminine mannerisms and voice, he is probably the candidate least likely to be successful. But with the ruthless Tim Wattely on his side, that might change. As Tim, McDermott oozes an icy malice. One might be interested in seeing him play a serial killer. Jason Sudeikis brings to mind Ed Helms as Mitch, Cam's friend and campaign manager.
The man at the helm of the project is Jay Roach, who directed the "Austin Powers" movies and the "Meet the Parents" movies. The man's work is solid, but he needs a better editor. Some scenes are funny, but others are just far too long. The scene where Cam blows up because the racy ad he wants to run is turned down by Mitch.
The second problem is that the film lacks teeth. The film makes some pointed remarks about big business buying politicians (the Moch brothers are obvious stand-ins for the Koch brothers). But that's it. It's mainly just crude satire. As I've said, some of this stuff is truly funny (the funniest scenes in the trailer are expanded upon and much funnier in the actual film).
Look. I can't recommend the movie. But it is what it is. If you're a Will Ferrell or Zach Galifianakis fan, and all you're looking for is a few good laughs and don't mind if there are a few lengthy dead spots, see it. But for those who are looking for more may want to skip it.
Don't I say this for every 2.5/4 movie?
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