Horrible Bosses isn't horrible, but it isn't terrific...

Rating: Null/10 (20 July 2011)

While Horrible Bosses isn't horrible, it isn't terrific either. Think of it is as a revved up, R-rated, male version of 9 to 5. I wanted to like it more than I did. There's no doubt that you will laugh as the writing was great, raunchy but also sharp and witty, but I just didn't come out of it completely satisfied.
The film is pretty fast-paced as it follows three friends, each of whom is conspiring to kill their bosses because they feel that they are keeping them from being truly happy. You have things taking a dark turn with Nick (Jason Bateman) whose boss (Kevin Spacey) blackmails him into working harder than anyone at the company. Then, there's Dale (Charlie Day) who works for a very sexually aggressive dentist (Jennifer Aniston) that is always trying to get in his pants, despite the fact that he is engaged. And finally we have Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) who actually likes his job until his boss (Donald Sutherland) passes away and the company is taken over by his coke-head son (Colin Farrell). One night, in a drunken rant, the three decide to hire a murder consultant (Jamie Foxx) to help them knock off each of their bosses.
In my opinion, Jennifer Aniston was the best part of the entire film, by far. Never before has she played such a role and it was absolutely hilarious! Jason Bateman had his moments, but mostly stayed grounded in his typical, passive-aggressive role. Charlie Day, too, had his moments, although at times I felt he was trying a little too hard to get the laugh. The only cast member I really had any problem with, though, was Colin Farrell. He, fortunately, did not have much screen time, but his character, along with the performance, just didn't go well with the flow of the comedy.
Overall, the film is good for a laugh, just not one I'll be seeing again. The idea wasn't too original and I felt that the film itself just didn't live up to its full potential, but I say "bravo" to Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein for a good script.