Funny idea, world-class comedian...but no laughs!!

Rating: 5/10 (4 January 2007)

Boy, I was surprised by this movie. The story line sounded great and Jack Black can and has been very funny ("High Fidelity", "School of Rock", MTV Awards, even "Saving Silverman"), but this is shockingly unfunny. Some of the movie's gags require a long and tedious build up, like the quest for the Eagle's egg, with no payoff whatsoever (was the egg yolk on his face the funny part?). Scenes at a party with Jack and his sidekick have a beginning, a middle and just fade out to a non-finish (was the corn on the cob in the eye the funny part?).
I usually like politically incorrect comedies, sprinkled with some of the deadpan humor on display here, and that's the reason for the 5/10 score. Jack's slightly mangled Spanish caused me to smile, as well as some classic facial ticks of his. But, it didn't make up for the uninspired wrestling scenes, a "forbidden" romance that was neither sweet nor touching and gags without payoffs. The fact that this stuff can make $80 - 100 Mil @ the box office, will only encourage more. Jack Black's career shouldn't be defined by being fearless about showing off his pudgy body, but by a devilish streak that bubbles just beneath the surface.