Dumb Movie, Brilliant Commentary

Rating: 5/10 (1 February 2005)

This movie was bad, but had its moments of low-brow humor that elicited some chuckles. At the end of the movie, I felt as if there were something missing from the overall experience. Curious as to what the co-writers were thinking as they wrote the film, I decided to watch the commentary voice-over feature on the DVD. I almost never watch the commentary, so this was purely a fortuitous happenstance.
When they collaborate, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are comedic geniuses. The commentary offers a glimpse into what these guys do when they get together. The commentary is basically a brainstorming, free-for-all that stands apart from the movie, as they actually comment on the movie only a fraction of the time. The rest of the time is spent staging humiliating, awkward moments with other cast-members, un-cast actors like Andy Richter and even entertaining a surprise visit by Lou Rawls. Poor Lou had no idea what was going on. Adam McKay asked Rawls if he thought Ferrell should agree to make a movie called "Dwarf," a movie about a naive dwarf transplanted to New York City from the North Pole. Ferrell is adamantly against the idea and Rawls tries to act as go-between. Its almost like an Ali G interview - very awkward to hear. The introduction to the commentary had me laughing to tears, it was crass, but really, very funny.