Fantastic Fest 2008

Very well-crafted and loaded with laughs, although it doesn't really have an original bone in its body. We've got the man-boys who have to grow up, the problem children in need of understanding adults, the mismatched buddies who have to learn to work together, and the misfits whose differences are to be celebrated and embraced. It was only missing the maverick cop who plays by his own rules. Elizabeth Banks was underused. She's at her best not when she's playing a straight-up role as a normal and well-adjusted serious adult, but rather when she's allowed to be as raunchy as the boys and let her freak flag fly. She's one of the best actresses around at demonstrating a downright enthusiastic sexiness, but here she had to dial it in to be the grown-up. Jane Lynch, though, pretty much stole every scene she was in. The leads were completely adequate, but I'd like to see Paul Rudd loosen up just a bit someday because he still always wants to be the coolest guy in the room and always retains a bit of ironic detachment. Good performances in bit parts by a host of people that comedy fans will recognize right off. Overall, despite the rating for the barrage of foul language, it's completely sweet and charming. I am, though, getting just a bit tired of the recurring theme of youngish dudes who have to learn to put down the Nintendo and the beer bong and grow the hell up, and who earn the love of a good, extremely patient, and long-suffering woman in the process. It verges on magical realism to believe that there are gorgeous babes out there just pining for nerds and dopers to get their acts together. These wish fulfillment plots are great for your fanboys ("Wow, I can totally party and indulge in all my hobbies and then clean up a bit and score with a hottie!"), but dammit, I'm ready to see some kick-ass comedy scripted by women so we can get a corrective point of view.