‘Step Brothers’ lovingly lowbrow

(Published Sept. 15, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor

It’s utterly lowbrow, but the comedy “Step Brothers” is undeniably entertaining for most of its running time.

The re-teaming of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly (who previously worked together in the amusing “Talladega Nights”) is a move that expectedly results in a no-holds-barred crass-fest.

Completing the equation is director and co-writer Adam McKay, who also worked with Ferrell in “Talladega Nights” and “Anchorman.” The juvenile jokes and silliness leave little room between punchlines to breathe, even when things are as predictable as any other gross-out film’s gags.

Ferrell and Reilly play stepbrothers Brennan and Dale, men nearing their 40s who still live with their newlywed parents (Mary Steenburgen and Richard Jenkins). Bratty and lazy, Brennan and Dale initially despise each other, and hate being roommates.

Their petty territorial arguments and pranks quickly devolve into a long and violent confrontation. But the two sworn enemies realize that they hate Derek (Adam Scott), Brennan’s overachieving and condescending brother, even more.

Familial strife and maturity issues are tackled extra-irreverently, but you’ll barely get to think about impropriety because the unsubtle humor is just overpowering. What you’ll get to do is consider these mortal foes-turned-best buds as being merely overgrown and misunderstood men.

Reilly and Ferrell are downright funny as these crude, occasionally lewd dudes; the situations they get into are basically stretched to accommodate their combined, unleashed goofiness.

However, “Step Brothers” isn’t totally laugh-out-loud funny because of some prolonged bodily function jokes. But the over-the-top performances and some well-executed, if unthinkable, scenes make up for whatever it lacks in unpredictability and inventiveness. It just lets you easily switch off, accept its wacky world, and appreciate the never-ending dumbness.

Unabashedly stupid, yes, but it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. There’s nothing to fathom or ponder, but “Step Brothers” still elicits the necessary warm and fuzzy feelings after the glorious guffaws.

“Step Brothers” is an Ayala Cinemas exclusive opening on Sept. 17.