Life is not funny in “Year One”.

This is one of those times where I sit through a movie so you don’t have to waste your hard-earned money or precious time, because “Year One” is a waste of both time and money.
 

The laughter in this movie is limited to mindless, goofy, low-brow juvenile gross-out humor.

If someone gave me this concept in 5th grade, this is about what the script would be… bathroom humor and two guys trying to save the girls.  BUT this plot (unlike my theoretical one) starts slow, flatlines, then shows some promise, then meanders into the wasteland of movie comedies.

Jack Black de-evolves… the movie roles we are seeing him in are essentially becoming the same character and at the same time getting less funny.  I liked Black as a supporting character in “King Kong” (2005), “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004), “Orange County” (2002), “High Fidelity” (2000), “Enemy of the State” (1998).  He was a good lead however, in “The School of Rock” (2003) and as a main character in “Tropic Thunder” (2008).

Michael Cera is typical too… going through his usual passive-agressive jokes and playing an awkward geeky type.

The writing is not great, the story and concept are okay, but it would have been better in the 1970’s or 1980’s… when I was the age that this would be funny and it could be seen as a spoof of “One Million Years B.C.” (1966) the classic “B” movie starring Raquel Welch… which would have been fresh in the minds of american movie audiences.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Don’t waste your time or money on this, not even when it comes out on DVD… you’ll be disappointed… I give it 4.0 out of 10.

 “Year One”

(2009) (rated: PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, brief strong language and comic violence… originally Rated R for some sexual content and language, but edited to receive PG-13) 
(1 hr, 47 min)

Starring: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Vinnie Jones, Hank Azaria, Juno Temple, Olivia Wilde, June Diane Raphael, Xander Berkeley, Gia Carides, Horatio Sanz, Harold Ramis, Eden Riegel, Bill Hader, Paul Rudd

Director: Harold Ramis

Genre: Comedy/Adventure/Buddy Road Trip

The Plot: After being banished from their homeland, two tribesmen, embark on a journey through their ancient world.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

“Year One” poster courtesy Columbia Pictures

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