THE BALLAD OF WILLY REILLY

You’d think a Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly joint would be comedy gold every time, but the connection is not so strong with Step Brothers.

After Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, the idea of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly co-starring in a comedy sounds like a fine idea. Not only was that film hilarious, but so—despite dismal box-office showings—were Ferrell’s Blades of Glory and Semi-Pro, and Reilly’s Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. And the premise: two immature, middle-aged losers who each live with their single parents—and are forced to share a room when Ferrell’s mom and Reilly’s dad tie the knot—couldn’t be better for a couple of goofball actors who are making names for themselves playing just such clods. Sure, Step Brothers should be a no-brainer… but maybe it’s the lack of brains that holds the movie back.

Step Brothers is funny, but shockingly light on laugh-out-loud guffaws like [SPOILER ALERT] the balls-on-the-drums scene. There’s simply no Odd Couple dynamic at play here, no give-and-take; Ferrell and Reilly seem to be playing the same character. Director Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) often goes for the easy laugh and while we all know gross-out humor works, and sometimes with a good story (see There’s Something About Mary or Old School), it makes for a timeless comedy. Sadly, Step Brothers isn’t so much timeless as time-consuming (think cable or airplane movie).

The only reason you won’t hate the film is because Ferrell and Reilly are so likable, and they clearly had a blast making Step Brothers—some of which rubs off on the audience. But viewer beware: for the film to work on this level, you’ll have to lower your expectations and watch it through beer goggles; look too closely and you’ll see only lost potential.

Rated R for sex and language. Running time: 95 minutes.

Jose Martinez is a Los Angeles-based journalist with more than a dozen years experience covering news, film, music and sports. Out and about every night, he's at home in dark clubs and theaters, and shuns the daylight when possible.

YOU WOULDN’T LIKE ME WHEN I’M ANG LEE

As with Ang Lee’s Hulk, Louis Letemier’s The Incredible Hulk relies heavily on CGI—but it doesn’t suck.

As a theater filled with moviegoers applaud after the end of Universal’s The Incredible Hulk, I think they were just grateful that they didn’t have to sit through Ang Lee’s awful 2003 version. By that standard, this green-eyed Hulk is definitely a better experience. Gone is the Oscar-winning director, replaced by French filmmaker Louis Letemier (Transporter, Transporter 2), also gone are actors Eric Bana (so brilliant and yet he couldn’t save Hulk) and eye-candy Jennifer Connelly, replaced with Edward Norton and Liv Tyler.

Picking up 158 days after the last film ended (that’s the number of days Ed Norton’s Dr. Bruce Banner has gone without “incident”), the scientist with major anger-control problems finds himself hiding out in Rio de Janeiro’s abounding favelas. Considered property of the U.S. military by General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (played stiffly by William Hurt), the film’s first act includes a blistering, action-packed chase through the streets of Rio as the soldiers, led by Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth), on loan from Britain’s Royal Marines, get their first look at the not-so-jolly green monster.

From there, I guess you’re supposed to ignore plot holes and simply enjoy the rollercoaster ride. Cool cameos and a not-so-serious approach help this Hulk movie come across as a better fit than the last feeble attempt. This, being a superhero-filled summer, I suppose were just expected to gorge on popcorn and candy and not ask any questions.

Roth, hardly an intimidating force at 5’7” does a great job playing Blonsky, an English mofo determined to kick some green ass. Willing to do whatever it takes; Blonsky eventually transforms into the “Abomination” mutant to take on the Hulk. But that’s where the film falters a bit as the climatic ending comes across as no more than a CGI-fest. Sure, CGI effects have come a long way from Jurassic Park, yet most of these action films never quite seem to measure up to the presence of those scary onscreen raptors. But if all you crave out of your summer blockbusters is over-the-top action, then you’re in luck.

Oh, and there’s a surprise cameo appearance by Iron Man himself, Tony Stark, a/k/a Robert Downey Jr., at the end. Actually, the surprise was blown in the Incredible Hulk trailer, which made all the fanboys wet themselves at the hint of a possible Avengers movie. Always leave them wanting more.

Jose Martinez is a Los Angeles-based journalist with more than a dozen years experience covering news, film, music and sports. Out and about every night, he's at home in dark clubs and theaters, and shuns the daylight when possible.