Untidy improv makes 'Millers' dull and unamusing

Rating: 4/10 (23 December 2013)

from http://bbman94.wix.com/brandonsmoviecorner#!werethemillersreview/c237
We're the Millers. It's a slapstick comedy starring Jason Sudeikis as an off beat drug dealer named David Clark who is on a mission to smuggle an RV full of marijuana across the southern border and into the United States. Not only is that ridiculous enough, he takes on the challenge of rounding up a fake family full of misfits to disguise the operation. Among them is the stripper Rose (Jennifer Aniston), a runaway named Casey (Emma Roberts), and Kenny (Will Poulter), a helpless virgin with ridiculous looking eyebrows. Sometimes the jokes are funny, and the chemistry between the 'family' works, but it wasn't strong enough to hold my attention for two(!) hours.
With a runtime of two hours, We're the Millers should have something good going for it. It is a comedy and yes, it isn't meant to be taken too seriously, but the improvisation from the actors takes away from the scenes and most of the punchlines aren't funny. Penis jokes. Gay jokes. It's nothing new. Often at times I felt like I was watching a 'Hangover' clone, the only thing is, the Hangover didn't suck, the jokes were funny and I cared about the characters. Our family of failures in We're the Millers doesn't do the audience any justice; they are just too hard to relate to. Not only are the characters out of place but so are the casting choices. Ed Helms, I love you; but I simply could not believe you as an international drug lord and Emma Roberts plays the contemptuous teenage girl part by the books and not from her heart. The movie's not all bad; it has a great scene of Jennifer Aniston stripping down and she looks great for being in her mid forties, but wait, that's about it.
We're the Millers is a popcorn rental at best, and unfortunately leaves you with wanting more. Spend your time and money elsewhere; there are tons of better comedies out there. Hell, I just watched Extract on Netflix today with Mila Kunis and Jason Bateman. It's a better comedy, go watch it instead.