Plot: What’s it about?
I was trying to think of an introductory paragraph for this review, but having just reviewed Dumb and Dumber not too long ago, what I wrote then seems to fit this review nicely…
Looking back two decades, 1994 was a pretty darn good year for movies and, more to the point, it was a very good year for Mr. Jim Carrey. I don’t think I need to explain it, but I tend to be the long-winded type, so here goes…The year began with the unexpected success of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. This put Carrey on the map and paved the way for the success of his next film (released about six months later) The Mask. In case you were wondering, was also the debut of Cameron Diaz who has carved out a nice little career for herself as well. The holidays brought us Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne in Dumb and Dumber, probably the most enjoyable Jim Carrey film of them all. It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty years since we were introduced to these bozos, but yes time does fly. 2003 brought us a rather lackluster prequel entitled Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, but with the absence of both Carrey and Daniels – it just wasn’t the same. Amazingly enough, the Farrelly Brothers (Peter and Bobby), who directed the film were still considered to be on a Jim Carrey vehicle. It wasn’t until There’s Something About Mary that they really and truly made a name for themselves.
Two decades have passed since we first met Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels). Lloyd has spent this time in a mental institution in a rouse to pull one over on Harry. It works. Sorta. Harry has found out via his adopted parents that he is in need of a new kidney and it turns out that he’s got a daughter, Penny (Rachel Melvin), who he hopes will donate one of hers to save his life. However, Adele (Laurie Holden), the controlling stepmother, wants nothing to do with Penny’s relatives and has fought to keep them away. Lloyd and Harry are now in route to New Orleans where their hope is that everything will work out for the best. Of course…there’s more to it than that.
Sequels rarely live up to their predecessors. It happens but not very often. And when two decades have gone by, I’d say that it’s even more difficult to re-capture that magic that made Dumb and Dumber so memorable. Yes, all the same elements are there and Timmy (the little blind boy from the original) is the only one from the original (other than Daniels and Carrey) to reprise his role. Still, I read on RogerEbert.com something that really epitomized what I was trying to say – “For every joke that works, five others fall flat.” And that’s the movie in a nutshell. It seems like they’re just reading lines of dialogue and waiting for everyone to laugh. It just…doesn’t work like that. While it’s nice to have these guys in familiar territory, and thankfully it erases the memory of Dumb and Dumerer: When Harry Met Lloyd, it’s just not quite the same experience as the original.
Video: How’s it look?
The 1.85:1 AVC HD image looks the part, for sure. Granted it’s a new to Blu-ray film and we’d expect that it would look good. While Daniels and Carrey look nearly the same as their “former selves” the detail does showcase some aging by both actors. This shouldn’t really be a surprise, of course, but the tiny little laugh lines, forehead wrinkles – it shows (literally). The movie is very bright and colorful, Lloyd and Harry’s outfits look fresh and bright on the screen. I wish I could say the same for Kathleen Turner. Oh my. I doubt that video quality is at the forefront when watching Dumb and Dumber To, but if it is – this one fits the bill nicely.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The included DTS HD Master Audio track does have moments, but they’re few and far between. Granted slapstick comedies aren’t really renown for their dynamic audio, so there’s not a lot going on here. Vocals are rich and crisp and the front stage takes the brunt of the mix. The surrounds come into play during a few key moments and I’ve always liked the Farrelly’s use of songs in their films – those come through with shining colors. Otherwise it’s a pretty standard audio experience.
Supplements: What are the extras?
DVD Extra
- “That’s Awesome!” – The Story of Dumb and Dumber To – This is actually a pretty substantial “Making of…” documentary divided into five parts that showcases the film.
- Chapter 1: “I Like it a Lot” – The Beginning – Join Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels and the Farrelly Brothers on-set as they give you the hows, whats, whys and huhs behind making dumb magic all over again.
Chapter 2: “Gotcha” – The Cast
Chapter 2.5: “That’s Insane!” – The Cameos—Meet the fan favorites, powerful executives, brilliant musicians, and comedy legends who pop up throughout the film in surprising (and surprisingly dumb) ways!
Chapter 4: “That’s Commitment!” – The Stunts— This chapter offers a high-paced peek into just a few of the hilarious stunts involved in the making of this movie.
Chapter 5: “There’s No Diamonds In Here” – The Editorial—Step into the edit bay with acclaimed comedy editor Steve Rasch (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) to learn about how some of the movie’s most memorable scenes came together.
Blu-ray Exclusives
- What’s So Smart About Dumb and Dumber To – Some interviews with the cast and crew as well as the Farrelly’s as they comment on the film.
- Alternate Opening – A not so different opening to the film.
- Gag Reel – What could possibly be so funny with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels on the set?
- Deleted and Extended Scenes – As the name entails, some extended scenes from those in the film as well as some that didn’t make the cut.
- DVD/Digital Copy
The Bottom Line
Dumb and Dumber To is by no means a bad movie. I personally feel that the original is superior in every way, shape and form, but I did laugh quite a few times during this sequel. It’s nice to see Carrey and Daniels reprise their roles and it’s not like either needs the work and/or money. The story is essentially the same as the first and the Blu-ray offers up a fairly decent amount of supplements with good audio and video quality.
