Movie-Holic

In a movie world that is full of comedic actors that make their living with raunchy exploits, and relying on vintage music and one liners, Jack Black stands quite near the top. In his latest DVD release, Year One, Black gives us a raunchy romp through the first year of the Earth. Using Biblical characters like Cain and Abel, as well as places such as Soddom and the Garden of Eden, Year One can get a few chuckles out of you.

Every since I first saw Jack Black in The Cable Guy as ‘Rick’, I knew that this was someone that I would have to watch. Lending his comedic funnyman antics to several more movies over the year, I was pretty excited to watch a movie where he could once again take the lead. I loved Shallow Hal and School of Rock. They showed what Black can do when he is at his best. Some of the others like Nacho Libre and Tropic Thunder showed him at his worst. One thing is certain. When you do see a Jack Black movie you will get a little chuckle, even when you don’t want to. Year One is one of those movies. I found myself watching it and laughing to myself, quite a few times, at some of the rude antics that Zed (Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) develop through the movie.

What I Liked About Year One

First of all it was funny. When a movie it being promoted as being a funny comedy, I want to laugh. Year One delivers in this department. There are several instances when the lines, the action, and both combined delivered either a light chuckle or out loud laugh.

I also liked the flow of the movie. For me, this is an important part of any movie. It must flow and keep the action moving. For a comedy, and a Harold Ramis film, it isn’t choppy or dead in a lot of spots. It just smoothly moves along to the next scene or antic.

The performances of some of the actors was also very good. For those who really like Jack Black, this is vintage Black. This is probably the best we’ve seen him in a long time. I appreciated that. I didn’t want to be let down again. He came back down to earth and gave a great performance. Oliver Platt also did a great job as the High Priest (or Priestess if you so prefer). Also included in this list should be Olivia Wilde (House), and even David Cross as Cain.

What I Didn’t Like

While there were some great performances in this movie, I have to say that there were those that were equally bad. I must say, at the front of this, that I am not a Mike Cera fan. He just doesn’t do a lot for anything I’ve seen him in. His characters are always dull and I just want to reach into the screen and smash him with a sledgehammer. So, you can guess where I am going with this in regards to him playing Oh in Year One. It was sadly phathetic.

They also had to stick in a small appearance by Paul Rudd. Any movie that needs to do this is acting desperate in my opinion to try and stick in cameos. Not being a big fan of his in anyway, it kind of ruined it for me. Although seeing him get bashed with a rock made it a little better.

Year One Movie Trailer

Year One Is Great For A Few Laughs

For the most part, the movie is pretty good. It is a typical Jack Black comedy so do not expect a whole lot in the way of storyline, plot, or dramatic moments. You are going to get adult type comedy coupled with overt sexuality. However, the bottom line of Year One is that you will laugh.

Year One Movie Clip