Let me be the first to tell you that I generally don’t like embarrassing comedies. I shy away from them and shrink in my seat like Dorothy spilled water on me. That being said, I wasn’t planning on seeing Bad Grandpa. Lucky for me I have two friends that guilted me into seeing it. I felt like I was George McFly and they were Biff trying to get me to do their homework. Okay, they’re not bullies, but it was just an analogy that I liked. But I digress, let’s get on with the review.
Bad Grandpa is a movie starring Johnny Knoxville dressed up like an old man named Irving and he goes around messing with unassuming people with the help of a kid named Billy, played by Jackson Nicoll. But you already knew that. They get into one awkwardly hilarious situation after another and all you can do is sit back and try not to choke on your popcorn. The movie was so funny I almost died taking a sip of my soda at the wrong time. I was laughing like a maniac though most of the movie and more than once I was quite literally doubled over with laughter. Lots of trailers these days show so much that when the movie actually comes out, there’s not much left. Bad Grandpa isn’t one of those movies. The majority of the scenes I had never seen before which was a welcome surprise.
There was, however, one flaw with the movie. Bad Grandpa was more than just one prank after another. It had an actual story that was told in the lull between scenes and it tried to get us to sympathize with the characters. This part of the movie failed. I could have cared less about the bonding between Irving and Billy. The plot itself revolved around Irving driving his grandson Billy to his fathers because Billy’s mother was arrested on drug charges.
The truth was that since I knew it was a Jackass character and that the movies was a series hidden camera setups, it made suspension of disbelief impossible. It would have been better if they ditched the story all together. Near the end of the movie there were attempts at tender moments which fell flat. I’m a huge baby at movies. I cried during Click. Yes, that’s right. Click with Adam Sandler. But Bad Grandpa pulled out all the stops and my eyes were dryer than an AA meeting during prohibition. The story just didn’t work.
Okay, I’m done complaining now. All that bitching aside, it was still a funny movie. While the attempt at a story failed, the rest of the movie kept me laughing for so long that it made up for what the script takes away. Nicoll’s delivery was flawless and honest. A walking, talking, farting example of why kids steal the show. Knoxville, to his credit, managed to keep up with the kid which couldn’t have been an easy task. Some of the best parts of the movie were when the kid delivers a line and it catches Knoxville off guard and we get an honest laugh from him.
Let me end with this: If you’re uncertain about it but think it looks interesting, then wait. It’s not one of those movies that work best in the theaters. This movie will be just as funny on your couch and you can even pop your own popcorn and save money. If you weren’t a fan of Jackass or if awkward comedies are your kryptonite, then stay home. However, if you’re a fan of Jackass or the Bruno/Borat style movies, then this is right up your alley. Go see it right away.
