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64 out of 107 people found the following comment useful :-
A combination of Fergie and Jesus…Step Brothers, 19 July 2008

Author: babubhaut from buffalo, ny, usa

I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd ever utter these words about a Will Ferrell vehicle, especially one with Adam McKay as collaborator—besides that Pearl video The Landlord on the internet last year—but here it is. Step Brothers is an absolutely hilarious film. From end to end, I don't remember the last time I've laughed this hard, without stop. This is what Ferrell needs to do, no more of those bio-spoofs of idiots that fall flat due to their tired joke. He is unstoppable as a part of an ensemble when he doesn't have to be the center of attention for an hour and half. The guy is obnoxious, and while funny, the more freedom he gets, the more annoying he is. Having a guy like John C. Reilly to play off of helps rein him in and give the audience a break, allowing the jokes to breath and not become stifled by the monotony of his schtick. Like Old School before it, Ferrell kills in smaller doses. He has shown me that ability again here and whereas I won't even keep Anchorman or Talladega Nights on screen when flipping through the television, I seriously can't wait to revisit this one again.

There is no bloated plot involved or even a love interest to distract from the comedy like the previous two "Everyman" entries in the Ferrell/McKay tag team's canon. I do believe that is the most refreshing aspect here; they finally see that you don't need a contrived romantic bent to be successful, we as an audience don't need to see the schlubby guy get the attractive girl, that is a cliché used way too often. We go to see a film like this to be entertained and to cause us to wet our pants with unstoppable laughter. As a result there are no lulls as even when the two stars begin to see how they must shape up and become adults for once, the awkwardness brings the laughs as well.

Step Brothers isn't winning any Oscars any time soon. With a premise involving the union of two older professionals, both of whom have 40-year old sons still living at home, devoid of responsibility, and lacking serious occupations, what do you really expect? Nancy Huff, (Mary Steenburgen showing that she is still around Hollywood), and Robert Doback, (Richard Jenkins letting his funny side out to complement the wonderful dramatic turn he gave in this year's The Visitor), are in love and perfect for one another. Their sons, unbeknownst to them at first, are also soulmates in the best friend platonic way. Completely the same person, right down to the hiding things in the kitchen while sleepwalking at night, Brennan and Dale are children trapped in adult bodies who waited forty years to be brought together. The chemistry between Ferrell and Reilly is unstoppable on screen, they are having fun, they must be improvising, and truthfully not a second falls flat.

With so many gags, one would think it'd all seem a bit disparate and thrown together, but the filmmakers and stars have sewn everything up nicely. You want a rap video that is the most offensive thing you'll hear all year? Get Brennan and Dale to create a music talent agency. You want an a cappella rendition of Guns N' Roses? Give Brennan a cocky, pompous brother who can afford singing/voice listens for his entire family—absolutely priceless, and Adam Scott kills in this role, "Pow!". You need some gratuitous fake nudity? Give Ferrell a chance to rub his genitalia on Reilly's drumset. Check, check, and check. These guys cover all their bases, not to mention the swearing quota. I am surprised that they approved an R-rating here because it is so vulgar. The fact that a couple lines from the trailer didn't make the final cut shows that the actors must have improvised and done multiple takes of each scene. As a result, I'm sure they all tried to be as creatively crass as they could and to fantastic result. Some of the gems that spew forth ever so naturally are one-liners that will be repeated over and over again.

Really, it is these vulgarities that make the film that much more enjoyable to me. I think that McKay and Ferrell took a page out of the Apatow machine's book realizing a hard-R can and will sell. No one holds back at all, some of the sarcasm even makes the characters cry because it is so harsh. I love this aspect as it plays into the fact that these are 8-year old adults. Their excess of childlike exuberance and simplicity of mind and life—and let's not forget the way their parents react by either screaming and going to the Cheesecake Factory bar or coddling them as only a mother can do—adds to the absurdity of the situation and the laughs. Dale and Brennan fight, bicker, and eventually do everything together because they aren't just stepbrothers, no they are brothers for life in terms of their internal makeup. Think you and your sibling growing up in grade school, multiply that to the nth degree in terms of sex, violence, and language, and maybe you will be able to imagine what's in store for you once you sit down at the theatre. Just don't forget to stay after the first short run of end credits as the best jungle gym park brawl ever is awaiting you. Those kids didn't even have a chance.

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11 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
Same old, same old., 17 August 2008

Author: ruelland from Canada

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

It's taken four or five films, but it seems like Hollywood has run of out occupations for Will Ferrell to have while he acts like a man child. From anchorman to NASCAR driver and some other sports, the apparent remedy of this problem comes in Step Brothers: make him a jobless man child. Oh, and have two of him this time and get John C. Reilly to play the other. That's the basic set up for this, Ferrell's third collaboration with "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights" director Adam McKay, a tired, annoying, and sometimes cringe inducing display of the same shtick you've seen many times before.

The movie follows Dale (Reilly) and Brennan (Ferrell), two single, unemployable 40 year old losers who still live at home with their single parents (played by Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins, two very good actors that don't have much to work with). When said parents hook up and eventually marry, the two find themselves under the same roof and an hour and a half of them screaming and getting hurt ensue. The two despise each other at first, but eventually become friends, especially when their parents grow tired of their immaturity and force them to try and get jobs. This sets the stage for what essentially boils down to a series of sketches. One supposedly funny situation after the next that the boys find themselves in, barely connecting to form a plot at all, let alone something overly funny. Set pieces include Brennan's diabolically cruel younger brother, his crazy wife who finds herself infatuated with Dale, a street brawl with some grade school children, and a rap video (groan). Like previous McKay outings, this movie is a gag a minute, throwing out a lot of things, most of them missing the mark.

To deride the humor as stupid is incredibly pointless. That's what one is expecting with movies like these, and even people who loved this movie would freely admit that it's stupid. The "stupid" factor of the humor isn't even my major problem with it. I've enjoyed movies like Anchorman and the indefensible Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, but there has to be some kind of wacky and over the top charm to a film's stupidity in order for me to be on board. Not only are Dale and Brennan un-charming, they're barely even likable, and even a little creepy. Seeing these men scream obscenities, beat the crap out of each other, act like children and destroy the lives of those around them wears thin very quickly without any charm acting as support. The film also suffers from a degree of unoriginality, nothing is recycled directly from the previous McKay movies, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I've seen this all before, or that McKay and Ferrell weren't even really trying anymore.

Ferrell and Reilly are gifted actors, and have proved in past films that they can be funny, but they have nothing to do here but repeat the same joke over and over again. Dale and Brennan are moronic man sized children, look at how stupid and childish they act, etc. etc. I'd be liar if I said the film was devoid of any laughs, because it does deliver some, but they just feel cheap, coming solely from Ferrell or Reilly's tone of voice or facial expressions, and not from good writing. You also get the feeling that, if nothing else, the actors are having a good time, which keeps the film from being something truly terrible. I'm also a sucker for randomness, and it succeeded at making me crack a smile a few times because of it. But the majority of the jokes just don't work; coming off as McKay trying to be as immature and senseless as possible (think Ferrell rubbing his balls on a drum kit is funny? Then you're in luck).

The supporting characters don't help much either, most acting as one note and unlikable as the step brothers themselves. Brennan's brother and his wife try to be so frantically funny you feel like patting them on the back and saying "You came on a little strong". Steenburgen and Jenkins try their best, but as mentioned, they simply have zero material to work with, forced to simply act as straight-men to Dale and Brennan's idiocy. Until, of course, the movie finally decides to have some sort of conflict and makes the parents fed up with them, eventually resolving in conclusion just as asinine as the rest of the film. By that point I couldn't have cared about the characters any less.

The film is bad, but not terrible. It's far too uninspired to get that strong of a reaction from me. It is simply McKay and Ferrell reusing their tried and tested formula once again, and failing completely in an attempt to capture any real sense of comedy or fun. If you loved the other movies made in this vein, then you'll surely like this too. If you find yourself tiring of Ferrell with each release, then save yourself some time and skip it, because "Step Brothers" will probably be the film that'll break the camel's back. Then fart on it or something.

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31 out of 55 people found the following comment useful :-
Funniest Ferrell/Reilly Movie To Date!, 2 August 2008

Author: john_trexler from Philadelphia

I liked Ferrel & Reilly as the racing team in "Talladega Nights" but this was even better. The physical comedy was outstanding and the acting itself was pitch perfect. Many critics commented on how well they did given what they had to work with, but I think the script was excellent. Some of the lines were brilliant, but you really have to give the actors credit for improvising. After Ferrell revealed his singing talents when he sang "Let's Give 'Em Something to Talk About", when Reilly gushed on and on about how great he was, and then said "I'm not sure, but towards the end I think I saw you turn into a Unicorn", I lost it. I really lost it when Ferrell's brother & his family were singing in the car "Sweet Child of Mine". It was a real classic.

Hell, I think I'll buy this when it comes out on DVD. I can't say that for many comedies ("Anchor Man" is one).

Don't miss this one. It's a scream.

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62 out of 118 people found the following comment useful :-
Fantastic Movie, 14 July 2008

Author: kozlow43 from United States

Saw this movie at a Sneak Preview and needless to say, this is movie is hilarious. There are big laughs left and right, non stop! and thank GOD it was rated R, it wouldn't have been nearly as good! It was well written by Ferrell and Adam McKay. The dud that was Semi-Pro put a kink in Will's career in my mind with his whole typical type-casting character he gets in scripts and the way he writes and lets be honest, it was getting old, but Step Brothers put out more than what i needed to get back on the bandwagon of his movies. The spotlight is equally shared between Ferrell and Riley throughout and it really makes you feel like being 12 again and living off of your parents, but watching 40 yr old men doing it is way funnier than any 12 year old can make their childhood seem!! A MUST SEE FOR ANY FERRELL OR RILEY FAN!! We all now can have faith put back into Will Ferrell!

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26 out of 47 people found the following comment useful :-
Clearly better than recent "comedies" from Farrell and Reilly, 30 July 2008

Author: pax03 from United States

I will give it this... I went into the movie not expecting much since Farrell's last (semi pro) was semi funny and actually quite bad, and Reilly's last (walk hard) was fair and had some funny spots. but this one was a whole lot better than the previous works of either star. It was R rated for a reason, it had some bad language but now days if comedies are rated R, then be prepared for some real foul language. This was a breath of fresh air for me, I didn't expect much but I got a lot in return. it had some classic scenes and some classic lines from its characters. It was well written for what the stars are good at: which is acting like children in mens bodies. I give it a 8 out of 10 because it surprised me and it had more than enough funny scenes and lines in it to keep me entertained and I would say this is up there with Forgetting Sarah Marshall as one of the funniest movies I've seen this year.

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29 out of 53 people found the following comment useful :-
Ferrell and Reilly Stepped It Up For "Step Brothers", 26 July 2008

Author: weeezmcgeeez-1 from United States

It's safe to say that the hilarity and stupidity of Ferrell and Reilly's characters in this movie was pretty close to perfect. You might think they're creepy and just too pathetic, but it's a given that's what they were going for. You'll be close to crying when it's all said and done feeling as though you laughed through the whole thing. This movie was certainly a great way for Will Ferrell to step back from his non-stop drunk and over the top characters, and to finally play opposite someone as funny as he is. And in a Rated-R film, no less.

Brennan Huff's (Ferrel) brother in the film played the successful and insulting jerk to Ferrel's and Reilly's character. His role could've been a little less obvious with his cruel characteristics and not so sudden and constant with his remarks. Other than that, however, there really wasn't any other flaws in the characters or story that would make anybody leave the theater or quick watching.

The outrageous dialog between the Step Brothers was comedy at its finest. If it wasn't a joke, but simple dialog, it would still get plenty of laughs, all because of the delivery. Director, Adam McKay couldn't have done better with this film. It is a must-see, no question.

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4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Jesus that was GOOD!, 12 November 2008

Author: Jason Lee from Hong Kong

I have to write this review right after watching it. I hadn't been following Will Farrell lately, as I thought Semi-Pro was semi-funny and felt he was losing it. Just rented this today since I really like John C. Reilly (one of the most versatile, yet underrated actors around!) and they both wrote it. What a pleasant, yet shocking surprise! Step Brothers definitely has its highs and lows, and admittedly there were some scenes that were not bordering, but downright stepped over the line of cringe-worthy, but that was always the case with Farrell's movies. Those people who walked out half way, they missed one of THE MOST explosive finishes I have ever seen. The ending "climax" scene was one of the most creative, brilliant, and most importantly TALENTED scenes I have ever seen. It definitely left a lasting impression.

Will Farrell and John C. Reilly have outdone themselves. It's far too late to recommend people to see this in theatres, but definitely rent it if you haven't seen it. Fans of Farrell and generally wacky, over the top childish humor should love it, and Reilly does a fantastic job mirroring him. Richard Jenkins was great and pulled off his role perfectly, contributing to many of the hilarities, and Mary Steenburgen is just stunningly beautiful at 55!

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23 out of 43 people found the following comment useful :-
Bloody Hilarious, 7 August 2008

Author: Scars_Remain from United States

I have been getting a lot of mixed reviews about this movie. Some people love it, some people hate it, some people are just plain grossed out by it. I'm in the love it category. There were a few unnecessary gross out scenes but the rest of it is just awesome straight forward comedy.

John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell are amazing. I also loved Talladega Nights so it was great too see them as co-actors again. The story is ridiculous, there's no doubt about that, but it's really fun and I felt it moved along very well. I was also laughing out loud at the humor in this movie. There are so many spot on jokes and so many quotable lines.

See this one if you're a fan of films like Talladega Nights, Superbad and Walk Hard. I think you'll find that is quite a bit to love about it.

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4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Everything you expect from a Will Ferrel comedy!, 6 September 2008

Author: Corey Gregory (kor3y_g@msn.com) from Chesterfield, United Kingdom

Will Ferrel is one of the most likable comedy figures out there and you can really tell he and John C. Reilly have a great relationship in real life.

The comedy in this film is nothing short of side-splitting and it comes in large quantities throughout. Step Brothers is the story of two, well, step brothers as it happens, who at first hate each other but as they acquaint they realise they have pretty much the same personalty and become best friends. However, they're 39 and 40 years old and their mum and dad encourage them to their best efforts to get out and get a job. As things get more and more out of hand they need to grow up and realise they cannot be kids forever.

Talladega Nights, also starring Ferrel and Reilly, was an awesome comedy motion picture but, for me, this was even better. It shows that physical comedy can be funny.

I never thought I'd say this but Step Brothers is one of the best random comedy films I have ever seen.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Excellent Movie.. It was Hilarious, 16 November 2008

Author: Minhal Hussain from United States

Wow, That was among the Top 5 Movies of 2008 for sure, It was an excellent and a hilarious movie, after some of the scenes in the movie I was even laughing 5 minutes after they had ended. Many movies have those scenes that don't really need to be there, this movie had none of them, everything seemed to be in the right place and happening at the right time. The plot, the acting, everything seemed to be in place and perfect, especially the plot. The way the story progressed and changed was in my opinion - excellent. An extremely good movie especially for anyone who loves comedy movies (like me) and certainly worth the watch even for those that don't.

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