Original and fun comedy with a slow, stumbling execution

Rating: 7/10 (17 February 2010)

I read the first line of another IMDb reviewers entry and it really summed up everything about this film. "Quirky Premise, clunky execution." That is exactly what The Men Who Stares At Goats delivers. Much must be said about the originality, the dark, quirky humor and just the fact that it mostly pokes fun at itself. The cast is solid and the sarcastic one liners are rampant. Given a more fluid running plot, and some more time spent connecting the dots this could have been a real cult comedy in the same vein as O Brother Where Art Thou (also a Clooney film.) Things just never really take off and some of the humor which is written very cleverly is often delivered awkwardly and clumsily. The characters almost entirely portrayed by really brilliant actors are not nearly as in depth as they could have been. All that being said the film still is awesomely entertaining, and has some genuinely fun moments. In the grand tradition of certain types of films many of the truly funny moments in the film are covered entirely in the trailer but they are still fun to watch and you'll still laugh a lot. I also think this if the type of film that some will absolutely love and others will wonder why.
Ewan McGregor plays wide eyed and naive reporter Bob Wilton. McGregor almost plays the role too dumb. But fortunately he also plays it very lovable and fun and he's easy to watch perform on screen. His chemistry with other cast members is lacking but as I will cover this isn't just McGregor. George Clooney gives a solid performance as quirky psychic soldier Lyn Cassaday. Clooney's Cassaday much like McGregor's Wilton come across as slow and clumsy but its an endearing factor to the characters. Their chemistry between them isn't great but it isn't bad and much of the humor comes from their interaction and adventure. As a total side note I would have loved to have seen Brad Pitt play the McGregor role because of the chemistry and Pitt can play quirky. The legendary Jeff Bridges plays leader of the psychic military squad Bill Django. He's a great character and a blast to watch. I almost wish the story focused more on him because his character and Bridges are terrific. Kevin Spacey also joins the troop in a small almost cameo role and he always is great on screen but is hardly used and his character is one that gets very little depth. I also have to mention Stephen Lang (now infamous for his role in Avatar) is also in the film in a small role but he is terrific.
There isn't a ton of experience behind the film makers in this case. Writer Peter Straughan is new to the big screen and director Grant Heslov is a long time actor but new director. However he's had his hand in a lot of films over the years either behind the screen or in front of it. Seeing that the author of the original novel Jon Ronson has done some directing I think they might have been better off to have direct his own work because perhaps he would deliver it better. Perhaps I sound like I'm harping on the film and I shouldn't entirely be doing that. The film is still fun and for a unique and different comedy you don't have to go anywhere else. Indie film lovers and someone tired of raunchy, silly comedies will truly enjoy a new fresh perspective. It just doesn't reach the level that many thought it would before its release. 7/10