I love Will Ferrell. He’s the kind of actor that you either just love him… or understandably… hate him. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. For me… he always finds a way to make me laugh. But Kicking and Screaming…
I saw the trailers for Kicking and Screaming and Bewitched at about the same time… and both times something disturbing happened. I found I was getting bored of Will Ferrell. Is it just me? Ever single gag in both trailers was just EXACTLY what I was expecting see. Ferrell is the EXACT SAME CHARACTER in every film and to me… his comedy is becoming really predictable.
Kicking and Screaming is also getting less buzz and promotion than any other Will Ferrell film I can remember. It’s almost SNEAKING into theaters this week. Is this a bad sign?
Well… the early reviews are coming in and no one seems to be really impressed. Not horrible… but not much at all. Here is whats being said:
“Thank God for coffee, which provides the only caffeinated jolt to the otherwise deflated Kicking and Screaming.”
— Nicholas Schager, SLANT MAGAZINE“Laughs-wise, it lacks the raucous edge of an Old School or Anchorman or the retro charm of an Elf, but there’s still plenty of Will-power to fuel this likable underdog trifle.”
— Michael Rechtshaffen, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER“Most agonizing is the sting of watching Ferrell, after (his) witty performances in Elf and Melinda & Melinda, revert to the same old one-note, dim-bulb clowning.”
— Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWIRE
Hmmmm… well I’ll be there to see it anyway. As much as I like Ferrell, I wouldn’t mind seeing him try to stretch out a little bit in his comedic roles. Trying comedy as a bit of a straight man or something. If you want to read more reviews for Kicking and Screaming you can go here.
