Dumb and Dumber To
Starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels
Directed by Bobby & Peter Farrelly
It’s been 20 years and comedy has changed a lot; which is why a sequel to the Farrelly Brothers’ hit Dumb and Dumber feels both unnecessary and strangely comforting, like a nourishing ‘90s blanket.
The most impressive thing about the veteran Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprising their respectively ridiculous roles is their steadfast commitment to the characters – particularly Carrey who steps effortlessly back into the head space of Lloyd Christmas. Daniels, on the other hand, struggles at times as he overdoes things a tad, but it says a lot about an actor who can go from The Newsroom’s acerbic and witty Will McAvoy to the bumbling Harry Dunne.
Dumb and Dumber To doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to plot structure; the dorky duo embark on another road trip to track down Harry’s long-lost daughter who was given up for adoption. Granted, many of the gags are downright silly, if not offensive to a more conservative crowd. But, the movie, unlike so many of today’s self-referential meta-comedies like 22 Jump Street plays it straight with the Three Stooges type slapstick jokes and somehow manages to feel like an authentic love letter to fans of the original.
The rest of the cast seem to be enjoying themselves with former Daily Show correspondent Rob Riggle providing dual comic relief as twin brothers, and Rachel Melvin displaying some expert timing as Harry’s potential daughter.
It’s no high-brow affair but this sequel is downright dumb enough to get a passing grade.
