PRINTMovie review: Year One
Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Jack Black and Michael Cera encounter biblical figures on their way to Sodom in Year One.
June 20, 2009 | 12:00 p.m. CST
The laughs Year One does have don’t outweigh the many groans it elicits. This film is a satire, though not a strong one, of the Old Testament. Primitive village dweller Zed (Jack Black) decides to eat the forbidden fruit and is then kicked out of his tribe as punishment. His friend Oh (Michael Cera) joins him on his journey to Sodom. Together they run into Cain and Abel, Abraham and Isaac and other biblical figures until they end up in the sin-filled city of Sodom, where they attempt to rescue their enslaved crushes.
With comedic genius Judd Apatow as producer, Year One should’ve been great. Sadly, it just isn’t very funny. Sure, there are a few hilarious scenes such as when Abraham decides it’s time to castrate himself and the other male leads because of instructions from God.
Related MovieBut, for the most part, the film is seriously lacking humor. The writers, unfortunately, went the gross-out humor route a few times. The most disgusting scene is when Black smells, licks and then eats the poop of someone he’s tracking. It’s uncomfortable to watch and unnecessary.
Cera also brings this movie down a notch by playing the same character he always plays. He’s uncool, underappreciated and mutters witty things under his breath that no one hears. It’s unbelievable that someone with his charm would be a creep. Black is, of course, the bumbling idiot that he usually is. He’s a sleaze ball who hits on the ladies but is oddly charming.
Year One does have a strong supporting cast, however. Hank Azaria is wonderful as Abraham, but the best is David Cross from Arrested Development as Cain. He kills Abel (Paul Rudd) in a horribly gruesome way but somehow makes it funny. Also, Oliver Platt plays a flamboyant high priest who likes to make Cera rub his hairy chest with oil, which is delightfully awkward.
Zed and Oh do engage in a nice theological debate, which adds some much-needed depth. However, considering the talent involved in Year One, the film is a disappointment.
Vox Rating:
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