The original trailer for the movie claims that Will Ferrell and company saw this movie and thought it was hilarious.

They were wrong.

Phew. This is a mess.

There is nothing more pathetic than a comedy that isn't funny. Danny McBride (Pineapple Express) is Tae Kwon Do instructor Fred Simmons, a dismissive jackass who is given to violent outbursts and snide comments. Simmons is a loser who takes his small kernel of power managing a Tae Kwon Do school and plays it up as if he were something special. Effectvely, McBride is just taking the same misplaced pride routine that Will Ferrell mastered with Ron Burgundy and made it more foulmouthed and less funny.

The premise of the movie is solid and there's plenty of comedy to be mined. McBride and company miss most of the opportunites for humor because they think being a jerk is inheriently funny. Without laughs, the audience is stuck watching a jerk act like an ass. There is a surprising lack of jokes or even clever turns of phrases. There's really not much here. Don't believe anyone who suggests this movie to you, it's a bomb.


Related Reviews:
Comedies
Half-Baked (1998)
An American Carol (2008)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Austin Chronicle
Reel.com