Lets for the sake of the start of this review, imagine that in December 1994 it was decided not to bother releasing the new film starring the latest Hollywood hot property Jim Carrey, from hit films like Ace Ventura and The Mask along with the accomplished actor Jeff Daniels. Perhaps the film Dumb and Dumber was never seen, we’d never witnessed one of the funniest films ever to hit the big screen. Today I could begin this review by saying, wow, Dumb and Dumber To, this is the funniest, best film I’ve ever seen. It had me laughing out loud, a very rare thing for me to do watching a film, I have to give this a 10 out of 10.
Unfortunately (sort of), 1994 did happen, and the original film was so outstanding, so funny, that making a sequel to something of so much greatness has really affected how I can score this film. It is a bit like saying, “Michelangelo, you know that Sistine Chapel ceiling you painted, don’t suppose you could do another one could you?” or perhaps trying to get a Mona Lisa the 2nd. Dumb and Dumber To, is exactly that, it’s brilliant but there was not a chance on this earth that they could better the first. So as a film it gets a still respectable 7.5 out of 10 from me, but had 1994 not happened, it would have been 10 out of 10. I hope I’ve managed to explain that well enough in words, it’s a tough one.
So in a nutshell, what is this film about? That is without giving the game away. We are twenty years in the future in the film and real life. The way they get around this is genius, Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne have been in contact for 20 years but not in the way you’d have thought. We first catch Lloyd in an institution and Harry, a by-now fed up visitor.
The film is yet another road trip as we discover Harry needs a kidney transplant, but he needs to find a match. They soon discover that Harry has a daughter, yes, you heard me right, he knows how to procreate, now there’s something you didn’t expect to hear.
So now they have to find his long-lost daughter and that can mean just one thing for Harry and Lloyd…..a hilarious road trip on various modes of transport including (spoiler alert) their old pal the Mutt Cuts Van (the dog van from the first film), I won’t give any more away than that I promise.
It only feels like yesterday when I was watching the crazy duo make a trip across the country, but after 20 years they have both managed to still look the same (I wish I could say the same about myself). They get their old outfits, and manage to still pull off the amazingly terrible hair cuts. This film continues with the same humour as the first, it does recycle some of the old jokes, but that’s ok because a whole new audience will be watching this film and laughing at these jokes as new ones.
Both Jim Carrey, now a truly global Mega Star and Jeff Daniels who has continued to be a big name in Hollywood himself, put in a fantastically funny performance. A heart warming story with typical Farrelly Brothers (the writers) humour. Do not miss this film, you will regret it. I had my reservations, but as a Jim Carrey fan, having watched every film and owning every DVD, I was going to watch it wasn’t I? I wasn’t disappointed, in my opinion it is his 5th best film, and as I like lists here is my very own Jim Carrey top 10.
1. Dumb and Dumber
2. Liar Liar
3. The Truman Show
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
5. Dumb and Dumber To
6. Yes Man
7. Me, Myself and Irene
8. Bruce Almighty
9. Fun with Dick and Jane
10. Man on the Moon
There you go, I didn’t want this review to tell you the story, I wanted you to get a feel for the enormous task the whole team had to put this film together and make it work. They did make it work and it was worth it. If you’ve seen the first movie then there will be a hint of disappointment as there is no way the first could be topped. If you’ve not seen the first, you will smile and laugh uncontrollably. Regardless, the team behind this film and the actors have pulled off the impossible, the have recreated the Sistine Chapel painting. You want a laugh, this film is the place to find it.
Comedy writer with Steve Smith. Author of the book & Satire Website, ‘The Daily Skid – The best bits’ also Beat About the Bush
