People Surprisingly Think MacGruber Looks Good
By Christopher Campbell | Posted Under Blog Trends | Comments (12)
Typically I write the intros to these Blog Trend roundups before I’ve read the majority of the blogs I quote. So, before listing the buzz below I had written all about how unfunny the red-band trailer for MacGruber is and how surprised I am that such a terrible-looking movie is getting so much attention. I’ve since erased my first intro and replaced it with this stunned-reaction paragraph, because the movie bloggers are actually, shockingly eating this up like a double-decker taco (and I mean a watery, shit-comprised taco in honor of the overrated joke in the trailer). Even the usually very snarky and super cynical guys like Vince Mancini are into this thing. WTF?
I don’t agree with the majority, I guess. I especially thought it wrong for Universal/Rogue to unleash this piece of crap on the heels of this weekend’s hilarious SNL short “James Cameron’s Laser Cats 5”? Even as repetitive as those Laser Cats sketches are, I would prefer to watch five feature-length installments of an actual Laser Cats film franchise than one MacGruber movie.
Still, like a lot of Kristen Wiig-loving fanboys, I at least enjoyed watching her say “up your butthole.” If only she were also wearing her Darth Vader dress at the time.
Okay, enough about my turn-ons, here’s how people around the blogosphere are trashing this trailer:
- Michelle Collins at Best Week Ever:
We never thought we’d say this, but we’re pretty sure Val Kilmer is way too good for this movie. Don’t get us wrong … we’re not above date rape jokes, etc … we just wish they were, kinda, hmm … funny. Someone’s last name sounding like the c-word? Alright. Will Forte jumping around naked while delicately holding his manhood? This might be the only reason to see the film.
- Andrew Robinson at The Film Stage:
As a person who hasn’t been a fan of SNL for a very long time and can only stand it every so often when there’s a likeable host on, this trailer (and character) continue to look ridiculously boring to me. Even though I can’t help but laugh as I hear that Val Kilmer plays the bad guy who’s name is “Cunth”.
- Seth Abramovitch at Movieline:
I’m torn. On the one hand, the jokes seem a little stale to me and Will Forte’s ability to carry a movie alone seems doubtful; on the other hand, it seems to walk the perfect line betw- POWER PLANT DETONATES IN 20-STORY FIREBALL.
Oh wait, most bloggers didn’t trash it. In the words of Joey Lawrence, “whoah!”:
- Joseph Baxter at The Feed:
One thing is clear, director, Jorma Taccone, (along with star, Will Forte, who co-wrote the film,) did something remarkable: They took a concept that on paper, was a guaranteed box-office bomb and turned it into something that might work. IT’S ACTUALLY FUNNY!
- Alex Billington at FirstShowing.net:
Believe it or not, I actually think this looks pretty damn good. I’m not a big fan of SNL humor anymore (and some of the jokes just didn’t hit with me at all), but this at least looks like it was shot beautifully. And I hate to say it, but the explosions look pretty good, too. I’m impressed and will probably see this in theaters.
- Erik Davis at Cinematical:
To be honest with you, I’m anticipating this movie now a lot more than I am The A-Team, which also looks to be targeting a certain amount of 80’s cheese, but at the same time seems to be struggling with tone (at least based on what I’ve seen). And as further evidence, MacGruber’s “running from an explosion” image is so much cooler than The A-Team’s “running from an explosion” image.
- Kevin Jagernauth at The Playlist:
Yes, it looks mind-meltingly awful and yes, Val Kilmer has surpassed Vince Vaughan levels of bloatedness, but we have to admit the trailer did get a couple of chuckles out of (some) of us.
- Rush Fischer at /Film:
It takes a minute for this trailer to kick into gear, but when it hits the date rape joke I start to believe that Forte, co-writer John Solomon and director Jorma Taccone might have been given some leeway to be jerks. (A good thing in comedy.) While some of the jokes that follow are cut close to the SNL mold (and the post-Anchorman mold) I can deal with that. The “I’m like a three wire guy” gag works for me. The film looks great, too. And liberal use of ‘I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)’ by the Eagles of Death Metal doesn’t hurt.
- Krystal Clark at ScreenCrave:
What makes this trailer so hilarious is the fact that it starts off like a legitimate action film with the right editing, images, music and even the deep commanding voice of Powers Boothe. On the comedic side, Val Killer sporting a very sleazy ponytail, along with MacGruber’s undercover “Miami Vice” look is enough to get me laughing. The biggest plus this movie has to offer is Phillipe, as the good looking young solider. It’s great to finally see that guy in a comedy.
- Sean Dwyer at Film Junk:
I certainly had my doubts about a feature-length version of a recurring sketch that is nothing more than a MacGyver parody (surely most of us thought the initial announcement was a joke), but I have to admit, I’m starting to come around on this a little bit.
- Whitney Matheson at PopCandy:
The restricted trailer doesn’t look so shabby. You’ve got a fun cast that includes Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer (yes!) and Powers Boothe. It features plenty of action and a bit of ’80s-style silliness.
- Steve Weintraub at Collider:
Give this film a chance. Also, this is the first movie to use the term upper decker. That makes this must see.
- Mark Graham at Vulture:
As unabashed fans of writer and star Will Forte’s last big-screen effort, The Brothers Solomon, we remain confident that Pepsuber MacGruber is going to deliver the goods now that it’s been blown up to feature-film size. We’ll cop to being a little bit concerned that this red-band trailer for the film seems to be lacking on the humor front, but we’re hopeful that there will be plenty of guffaws in the final product.
- Mark at I Watch Stuff:
The trailer’s jokes may rely a bit too much on MacGruber’s blithe ignorance in conversation, but there are a few moments of genuine hilarity when Forte takes advantage of the film’s presumed R rating. Because if anything can lift a Saturday Night Live movie above the doldrums of It’s Pat or Night at the Roxbury, it’s un-bleeped F-words.
And Ryan Phillipe.
- Vince Mancini at FilmDrunk:
I’ll be honest, I thought making a movie out of the MacGruber sketches was a colossally stupid idea at first. But […] the MacGruber movie is like an adorable puppy with a bow on it. I’m ready to let it into my heart, but if it can’t be potty trained, I’m selling it to the Vietnamese restaurant. …What? What’d I say? Was it the puppy thing?
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Comments
Posted by: Littlejon2001 at January 19, 2010 8:38 PM
Well I'm glad someone thinks it doesn't look good. Cause it doesn't. This movie looks stupid. Not to mention the fact that the ONLY reason MacGruber is funny on SNL is because:
IT'S 30 SECONDS LONG!
How in the hell are they going to make a sketch whose comedy relies on its brevity a FREAKIN FULL LENGTH MOVIE? Riddle me that, Val. Riddle me that.