I wanted to watch some comedy movies so I thought why not try some with foul language? These are all rated R in the U.S. but a couple earned only 14A ratings in Canada. Baywatch just hit theatres (it is the summer now), Sausage Party made me feel guilty about having a bbq (I liked the film last year), Frank (I have been watching a lot of Michael Fassbender lately, my first viewing), and The Change-Up (because why not have Deadpool without a mask and add Jason Bateman? also a first viewing).

Baywatch
2017, 14A, 1h 56m
Distributor – Paramount, Budget – $69 million
IMDB – 5.7

Baywatch is a cinematic reboot of the tv show of the same name (11 seasons 1989-2001). Where the show went a little too over dramatic (to comedic results), this film intends to get the laughs, and does get a few. The ensemble of the crew may have the makings of something really fun but the focus was clearly on Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, and even Jon Bass (as the, how does he fit in? type). I wanted more scenes with Priyanka Chopra (her part was originally written for a man, you may know her from the tv show Quantico, 2 seasons and counting 2015-on) or Alexandra Daddario (she costarred with Dwayne in San Andreas 2015, a sequel is in the works) or really any of the girls in the film (slow motion does not count). Dwayne and Zac do have comedic chemistry, but I would challenge them to try a joke between them without a pop culture reference. There are a lot of muscles and bikinis on display in the trailer, and more of both were crammed into almost every scene. Director Seth Gordon balances making tv episodes with making feature length films with Jason Bateman (Horrible Bosses in 2011 and Identity Thief in 2013). The competing sequence, action scenes in the water, and the big finale all made for an enjoyable experience.

Sausage Party
2016, 18A, 1h 29m
Distributor – Sony/Columbia, Budget – $19 million
IMDB – 6.3

Sausage Party was originally conceived back when Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill were promoting Superbad and Knocked Up (both in 2007) as they would think what if there was a dark side to seeing and hearing inanimate objects have eyes and can talk (and be animated). The movie pushed limits with the vulgarity of language but it is just food so it is ok right? Seth Rogen has no problem with foul language or with getting a huge cast together for voice work, (see most of this crew together in Pineapple Express in 2008 or This is the End in 2013). I hope you can watch this film with a group of people who have an open mind about the content, when I saw it in theatres last year everyone was crying laughing, especially during a moment near the very end. The musical number and the flour scene are great and so is the premise, anytime a film can make you look at things in a different way is a win. Try and catch the all too brief references to other cultures by using food and voice talents, I am always looking for Canadiana and Edward Norton’s voice was almost unrecognizable. Tough to hear about it’s production as nearly half of its animators left in the middle of making it due to being told to work overtime without pay or be blacklisted. With it becoming the highest grossing R-rated animated film (beating South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut in 1999), and with a sequel planned, I hope the studio can right some wrongs.

Frank
2014, 14A, 1h 35m
Distributor – Magnolia, Budget – $1.3 million
IMDB – 7.0

Frank is dark comedy about Domhnall Gleeson joining an eccentric band during his boy becomes a man phase. I was not prepared for the film to tackle mental health issues like it did (there are reasons this is considered a dark comedy), contrasting the fun feeling the trailer gave off about a guy that wears a big mask, (but I am glad they did). The sequences where music is being planned and played are my favorite parts (like a journey into another’s creativity), as well as the big laughs coming from Michael Fassbender (which while sounding like Jim Morrison, wearing the mask made it harder for him to show emotion and for other actors to interact with, all part of the fun). Comedic deliveries such as in this film are interesting because they do not pause for you, if you found it funny then laugh, but they do not pace the film in a way to let you take a moment and you may not even catch them all (perfect for rewatching). Some of the music in the film was genuinely catchy (the actors played it themselves), Domhnall’s progression and final moment in the film were great, and the texting and voice over made the film feel current. If the movie intrigues you, please check out the career of Chris Sievey (creator of the character Frank Sidebottom, a heavy influence on this film).

The Change-Up
2011, 14A, 1h 52m
Distributor – Universal, Budget – $52 million
IMDB – 6.3

The Change-Up is a movie about two guys who switch bodies (or minds? they switch lives) and is an adult language fuelled comedy showcasing the talents of Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds (or is it the other way around?). Jason has grown in to the grown up role who is out of touch with his younger years (tv show Arrested Development 2003-2013 and another season coming, Extract in 2009, and This is Where I Leave You in 2014). Ryan has perfected this juvenile persona for years as well, (Van Wilder in 2002, Just Friends in 2005, and most recently Deadpool in 2016). Along for the laughs are Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde in 2 roles that are near favorites of mine for each actress. Director David Dobkin also made Wedding Crashers (2005 with Vince Vaughn) and the cowriters Jon Lucas and Scott Moore also cowrote 2 other popular comedies (The Hangover in 2009 and Bad Moms in 2016, and are both writing/directing its sequel). As with Baywatch, the film might have been helped with trimming 10-15 minutes, but you do get a lot of laughs here especially if you don’t groan first at the absurdity. There was other content in this film (besides the language) that I was not expecting as the “unrated version” on blu-ray/dvds tend to under deliver, this I don’t believe under delivered. The other bonus of special features was a quick run down of the special effects in the film, also unexpected, but when a movie can do that and try to have a message as well, it is also a win.

Links

Baywatch
IMDB
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia

Sausage Party
IMDB
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia

Frank
IMDB
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia

The Change-Up
IMDB
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia