Step Brothers is one of those movies that only comes along every so often. Sort of like winning a couple of bucks on a lottery ticket. It’s one of those movies that every dysfunctional family and everyone who enjoys a good laugh needs to watch. And, you can watch it over and over again, and it just keeps getting funnier and than you memorize the whole movie...than it’s probably time for a break...than watch it again! It is classic of a sort, a movie you can be proud that came out of your generation.
Adam Mckay has worked with Will Ferrell many times, and this is his second time directing the insanely ridiculous duo of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly (Talladega Nights). It is also doesn’t hurt to have the Judd Apatow (The 40-Year Old Virgin, Bridesmaids) Production stamp of approval on this film. Step Brothers came out in 2008 with mixed reviews, and I say shame on you movie critics! This is a 4-star movie. Ok, so maybe it takes certain personalities to enjoy it, but 3 years later I still here people using lines from the movie.
Step Brothers is a buddy comedy that some would even call a bromance. “Did we just become best friends” (See, the quotes just keep coming out.) Brennan Huff (Ferrell) and Dale Doback (Reilly) are a couple of unemployed 40-year old men who haven’t quite left the nest. One day Brennan’s mom falls in love with Dale’s dad, they get married and live happily ever after...sort of. Now we have one big happy family living under the same roof. They start off as typical 40-year olds with a 15-year old’s IQ jealous stepbrothers, at each other's throats. Brennan certainly was not about to call Mr. Doback dad, not “even if there’s a fire” and Dale wasn’t happy about Brennan living in “his house of learned doctors”. They squabble, they fight, they make us laugh, they make us cry and then they become best friends. And, we cry again...Okay, so maybe that was just me.
Every one of the cast members seemed to all mesh well. Brennan’s (Ferrell) too wealthy for his own six pack younger brother, Derek (Adam Scott) and his wife Alice (Kathryn Hahn) and their two children really bring a whole new element of fun to the movie. Seth Rogen and Ken Jeong also make small appearances with big laughs.
There is even some drama, borderline romance, adventure, and success, really, what more could you ask for? So, next time you are bored and need something to watch, just pop your Step Brothers DVD, you know, the one your wife was using as a coaster, into your DVD player and sit back and prepare to laugh until it’s not even funny anymore. (Don't worry, it’ll be funny again in a few minutes).