Film review: Dumb and Dumber To (15)

Dumb and Dumber To (15) review from Boston’s West End Cinema

I wasn’t one of the many people clamouring for a Dumb and Dumber sequel.

Sure, I enjoyed the 1994 original for what it was – a ridiculously stupid, yet undeniably funny comedy that showcased the abilities of two talented actors.

Some of you may have it on your list of all time favourite films. I don’t, but I totally got the hype.

Two decades on, however, the trailers for the class of 2014 didn’t really do much for me (especially a week after the epic Hobbit conclusion).

So, all things considered, I wasn’t all that fussed ahead of my trip to Boston’s West End Cinema for the sequel – Dumb and Dumber To (if you hadn’t already guessed, that’s a deliberate typo).

But I’ll be honest with you, I enjoyed Lloyd and Harry’s return to the big screen much more than I was expecting.

We find Lloyd (Jim Carrey – Kick Ass 2) in medical custody, having not spoken in the 20 years since the original.

His best pal Harry (Jeff Daniels – The Newsroom) has been to visit him every week since (trips that have often seen him changing Lloyd’s nappies and replacing his urinary catheter bag for him).

When Harry finally decides that enough is enough, Lloyd reveals that he’s been faking all that time as part of a (very) long-running gag – and the pair are finally reunited in the outside world. Gotcha!

As you can imagine, neither of them have progressed either mentally or professionally since the original.

But, Harry soon discovers that there’s a chance he could have a daughter after discovering a postcard from ‘old flame’ Fraida Felcher (Kathleen Turner – Marley and Me).

The only problem is, the post card is years old – and Fraida reveals that she gave her daughter up for adoption after giving birth to her.

Harry isn’t well and needs a kidney transplant. With Lloyd unwilling to sacrifice one his own (of course), the pair decide to set out on road trip to track down his daughter Penny (Rachel Melvin – My Funny Valentine) in the hope that she may donate him one.

When they finally locate Penny, they discover that she’s been sent to a scientific conference by her genius adopted father Dr Pinchelow (Steve Tom – Seven Pounds).

For some unknown reason, the good doctor gives Lloyd and Harry a priceless package to give to Penny and they set about tracking her down once again.

That’s about as detailed as the plot gets, but you know that it essentially comes down to this: Lloyd and Harry goofing around.

For fans of the first film, it’s essentially a complete re-hash of the original storyline (yep, Lloyd’s got a creepy crush on Penny).

The pair are joined on the road trip by Pinchelow’s amusing associate Travis (Rob Riggle – 21 Jump Street), while there’s also a solid performance from The Walking Dead’s Laurie Holden as the doctor’s gold-digging wife.

But it’s all about the chemistry between Lloyd and Harry – and they do deliver.

I’m used to seeing Carrey play oddball characters, but it was different seeing Daniels resume this role having seen him play Will McAvoy in the excellent show The Newsroom in recent years.

The pair provide a number of laugh out loud moments and clearly enjoy working together. Their chemistry is just as good as it was in the first film – and I did find myself grinning stupidly at a lot of the childish banter that was going on.

However, you will feel like you’ve seen it all before. A bit like The Hangover trilogy or 21/22 Jump Street before it, this is very much ‘same old, same old’.

As light relief, Dumb and Dumber To suceeds in serving up a host of crude childish gags that most comedy fans will lap up.

There’s nothing too fresh, but fans of the original will be pleased to know that this won’t taint your memory of a bona-fide cult classic.

This sequel is unlikely to gather a similar following, but – like me – you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised with just how amusing Lloyd and Harry’s reunion is.

RATING: 7/10

Showtimes At West End Cinema, Boston (December 26 to January 1)

LIVE EVENTS

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA
4.30pm (Wed, Dec 31)

FILMS SHOWING

**WOMAN IN BLACK: ANGEL OF DEATH (15)
8.45pm (Thurs)

**THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (12A)
8.45pm (Thurs)

**EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS (12A)
4.45pm (daily), 8pm (not Wed)

**UNBROKEN (15)
8.20pm (not Wed)

**ANNIE (PG)
Noon (daily), 2.40pm (daily) 5.30pm (daily), 8.40pm (not Wed/Thurs)

DUMB AND DUMBER TO (15)
6.30pm (daily), 8.50pm (not Weds/Thurs)

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3 (PG)
Noon (daily), 2pm (not Sun) 4.15pm (not Wed), 6.30pm (daily)

TINKERBELL….LEGEND OF THE NEVERBEAST (U)
10am (not Fri), 12.40pm (daily)

THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES HFR 3D (12A)
5.15pm (daily), 8.15pm (not Wed)

THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 2D (12A)
2.15pm (daily)

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 3D (U)
2.40pm (daily)

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 2D (U)
10am (not Fri), 12.10pm (not Sun)

PADDINGTON (PG)
10am (Not Fri/Wed), noon (daily), 2.15pm (daily), 4.25pm (not Sun)

GET SANTA (U)
10am (not Fri)

KIDS’ CLUB
Sat-Wed 10.30am – The Boxtrolls 3D (PG)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – The Hobbit 3 3D (12A)

** DENOTES FREE LIST SUSPENDED

Box office: 01205 363634
Web: www.westendcinema.co.uk/SavoyBoston