Humor 'falls flat' in movie based on book
Jaclyn Gallo
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: A&E
Let's get right to the point - Tucker Max's compilation of stories, I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, is sexist and trashy. However, it also turns out to be shamefully entertaining.
I sometimes like to stray from my norm in literature to put a spin on things, which, I'm ashamed to admit, I found amusing.
As a female, I'm supposed to be disgusted by guys and the humor of Max and the like-that's how I know it must be well-written, because it's things like this I normally roll my eyes about.
In the movie based on I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell that just hit stores, however, something went awfully wrong. I couldn't wait to get myself a copy and watch it with my friends to share the hilarity. As Tucker Max might say, "hilarity did not ensue."
I really wanted it to be a great movie, perhaps a new standard in my collection of DVDs that I could whip out to watch any movie night that needed a kicker. Looks like Forgetting Sarah Marshall will continue to be my consistent go-to.
I hate to admit it, but all the critics who claim I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is a watered down version of The Hangover are not too far off.
It never takes much to impress me-I like to keep an open mind. That being said, the movie did a mediocre job representing the personalities of the characters, skimming the surface of each.
Matt Czuchry, who plays Max himself, does an okay job presenting him as the infamous jerk. I don't blame the actor as much as the lines he was given.
Geoff Stults did fairly okay as the first comrade Dan, considering his part was bland as well.
Lastly, Jesse Bradford who plays Drew, was a terrific choice for the part-he is exactly what I pictured while reading.
Still, the humor fell flat for most of the movie. The wittiness in the book made me laugh, but watching it on screen was like listening to teenage boys trade "That's What She Said" jokes (plus booze).
Trying to create one storyline out of many stories wasn't a success. The stories used, in my opinion, weren't even that significant compared to some of the others they might have chosen.
Unless you are a hardcore feminist or faint of heart, I suggest grabbing a copy of "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" for a light read or a laugh. Matt Czuchry's face might be the only incentive to sit through the film.
I sometimes like to stray from my norm in literature to put a spin on things, which, I'm ashamed to admit, I found amusing.
As a female, I'm supposed to be disgusted by guys and the humor of Max and the like-that's how I know it must be well-written, because it's things like this I normally roll my eyes about.
In the movie based on I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell that just hit stores, however, something went awfully wrong. I couldn't wait to get myself a copy and watch it with my friends to share the hilarity. As Tucker Max might say, "hilarity did not ensue."
I really wanted it to be a great movie, perhaps a new standard in my collection of DVDs that I could whip out to watch any movie night that needed a kicker. Looks like Forgetting Sarah Marshall will continue to be my consistent go-to.
I hate to admit it, but all the critics who claim I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is a watered down version of The Hangover are not too far off.
It never takes much to impress me-I like to keep an open mind. That being said, the movie did a mediocre job representing the personalities of the characters, skimming the surface of each.
Matt Czuchry, who plays Max himself, does an okay job presenting him as the infamous jerk. I don't blame the actor as much as the lines he was given.
Geoff Stults did fairly okay as the first comrade Dan, considering his part was bland as well.
Lastly, Jesse Bradford who plays Drew, was a terrific choice for the part-he is exactly what I pictured while reading.
Still, the humor fell flat for most of the movie. The wittiness in the book made me laugh, but watching it on screen was like listening to teenage boys trade "That's What She Said" jokes (plus booze).
Trying to create one storyline out of many stories wasn't a success. The stories used, in my opinion, weren't even that significant compared to some of the others they might have chosen.
Unless you are a hardcore feminist or faint of heart, I suggest grabbing a copy of "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" for a light read or a laugh. Matt Czuchry's face might be the only incentive to sit through the film.
Be the first to comment on this story