Dumb and Dumber is a go-to movie for thousands of people. It simply kills any sense of sadness or depression that you might be feeling by making you laugh so very hard. The film is consistently funny, from beginning to end. If there’s one film that I wanted to see a continuation of, it has to be Dumb and Dumber, and in 2014, dreams became reality with the release of Dumb and Dumber To. However, the film wasn’t quite what we were expecting, and yet it did entertain and immerse us to the best of its abilities.
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The Movie Review
Welcome back to the lives of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, it’s been twenty years since we last saw them and they are just as dumb and about to get dumber. The guys get back on the road on another road trip to find Harry’s long-lost daughter, whom he never knew existed.
Along the way, they encounter a variety of strange and hilarious characters and get caught up in a convoluted plot involving a valuable scientific invention, a wealthy family, and a pair of criminals who will stop at nothing to get their hands on that invention.
Through their bumbling antics and clueless mistakes, Lloyd and Harry manage to stumble their way to the truth and save the day, all while providing plenty of laughs and hijinks along the way.
I will say, the first thing that I noticed with the film right away is that it felt much more ‘forced’ as compared to the original. The humor in the original has aged like fine wine, if you watched it right now, you’d still laugh non-stop. However, here, you can tell when they’re trying really hard to push a joke.
The story is relatively simple and follows the standard road trip formula, and while yes, the film’s pacing is generally good, there are moments where the plot feels as if they are trying too hard to be funny.
The plot twists are aplenty, and they are often predictable and done mainly for the sake of being a gag. I will say though, the dialogue quality here is much worse than in the original.
There are way too many lines of dialogue that just fall flat, seemingly very bad at making you laugh.
However, whenever the jokes manage to land in this film, they are something worth writing home about.
These are such funny gags that they would have you rolling on the floor laughing, while others that fall flat are minor inconveniences compared to the overall comedy in the film. Sure, most of the jokes don’t land, but those that do land are more than enough to compensate for it.
The Characters
The film’s cast delivers solid performances, particularly Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, who both slip effortlessly back into their roles as Lloyd and Harry.
Carrey’s signature physical comedy and rubber-faced expressions are on full display, while Daniels brings a grounded and relatable presence to the film. However, while the supporting cast is well-utilized, some characters are just plot devices rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.
Some of the performances in the film also feel over-the-top or forced, particularly from actors who are trying too hard to match the energy and enthusiasm of Carrey and Daniels.
The Visuals
In terms of the film’s visual style, it’s clear that the directors were aiming to recapture the zany and offbeat humor of the original Dumb and Dumber film. However, this often results in a feeling of deja vu for audiences who are familiar with the first film, as many of the visual gags and comedic set pieces feel like retreads of the original.
While there are a few moments of inspired filmmaking, such as a memorable dream sequence that showcases Lloyd’s fantasies, these moments are few and far between.
The Music
While the soundtrack features several popular songs from the 80s and 90s, such as “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker and “I Got Mine” by The Black Keys, these tracks are mainly used as background music during scenes or montages, rather than being integral to the film’s plot or humor. In terms of original music, the film’s score is mostly forgettable and generic, consisting of simple and repetitive melodies that do little to enhance the film’s comedic or emotional impact.
That being said, the film does make effective use of sound effects and foley work to enhance its physical comedy and slapstick humor.
Verdict
Dumb and Dumber To may not live up to the expectations set by its beloved predecessor, but it is still an undeniably funny film that should not be ignored by fans of good old-fashioned slapstick humor and physical comedy.
While the film suffers from pacing issues and a lack of originality in its visual style and direction, it still manages to deliver plenty of laughs and comedic moments thanks to the chemistry and energy of its lead actors, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.
If you’re looking for a good laugh and don’t mind a bit of silliness, don’t ignore this film.
