Haggard

When I first heard of this movie, I was mildly interested. The plot seemed like an opportunity for hilarity and Bam Margera as an actor and director seemed like something that might be good. When I found out the movie starred Ryan Dunn, I was even further interested (I was a fan of Homewrecker when it was on... Yeah, I'm that lame). However, I didn't have much faith in it being to good. When I sat down to watch it, I was afraid I was wasting my time.

But even just five minutes it it became apparent that I'd been wrong.

I thought that the comedy of this film was delightfully idiotic, and definitely not suited for all kinds of people. The acting was rather good, much better than my expectations. I thought that it was rather easy to relate to Ryan's character, which gave the movie a center that was believable. This is key in a movie as outrageous as this (and is probably why I was not a fan of Borat).

The movie is not suitable at all for younger people, DUH, and will definitely create more than it's fair share of awkward turtles if watched with parents. But it's a good one for you and your buddies on a movie night.

If you've seen the skits that Bam and crew do on CKY, this is basically a cross between that and a funny but generic comedy. I enjoyed it but I wasn't expecting a "real" movie.

Ryan Dunn, who apparently the plot is based on, is really the only one who seems to act decently and isn't so cartoonish that he's unbelievable. Bam does a passable job acting -basically just playing himself. Chris Raab stays in his retarded Marlon Brando character and Don Vito is basically himself dressed as Julius Caeser and you can go with that since people do have crazy relatives in real life. Brandon Dicamillo just does the over the top characters he does on the CKY videos which is fine in CKY but it takes you out of the suspension of disbelief a little too much. Between his silly skit characters (one of them has a "beard" that looks like a bag of cotton balls glued together) and the film breaking into random music video-esquire skate montages, it doesn't seem like a narrative movie anymore.

There is potential -the cinematography, directing and editing are all pretty good, though at times self-indulgent, and fans of CKY should enjoy it but I wish it would either try to be a "real" and believable movie or just be over the top ridiculous and funny. It seems to try to be both at once... and that is where it fails. Again, I enjoyed it despite the flaws but I think it would be more interesting to see Bam try to make a real film and not A CKY video with a plot.

We came 1,400 miles from Tulsa to check out "Bam's CKY Preview" party at the Trocadero in Philly - just by chance we ran into Bam Margera at FDR Park - I said "yo bam" and talked to him before he skated....he thought it was cool that we had come all that way - when we told him that we wouldn't be checking out the world premiere of "HAGGARD" on Monday because it was sold out he told us to meet his folks at West Chester and "we'd have tickets"......we did and they did. These people are all so cool and real down to earth - they are having a blast with their new celebrity.

Now to the flick....... "HAGGARD" is a scream.....this is a Camp Kill Yourself fans dream come true. Ryan Dunn's whole sick situation is brought on by himself and the guys are without mercy. The whole thing revolves around Ryan's weak ass relationships....so funny when you throw in such helpful friends as Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamilo and Chris Raab and of course Rake Yohn as the evil one. This is a real movie folks......with a plot, script, characters the whole thing - Bam and Brandon have done a killer job of putting this together. The obnoxious and disgusting things they do in order to bring revenge on Ryan's slut of a girlfriend played by Bam's real life love Jenn Revel. We also get to see DiCamilo go off on one of his classic freestyle tangents trying to market a "reverse microwave" - I think Brandon gets better drugs then most of us......just kidding.

So the movie is real funny. Side splitting funny....with a little rad skating thrown in for fun. The entire cast and crew showed up for the premiere and hung around the theater to talk to fans. One of the best times of my life...a killer independent film...and a damned kickass effort by Bam and his entire West Chester Crew.

jp

Haggard is a great example of how, if one has an idea, a video camera, and few friends, a movie can be made. Directed by skateboarder Bam Margera of 'CKY' and 'Jackass' fame, this is a movie shoddily filmed on handie cams and stars himself and his mates (most of whome have also been affiliated with CKY or Jackass). The story revolves around Ryan Dunn and his serial cheating girlfriend, which is supposidly based on a true story - in short, this film is bloody funny and if I was you, I would attempt to see it at all costs. This is not Shakespare in Love and this is not the Shawshank Redemption, if it had been made half as seriously as either of these two films then it would have been crap... but seen as they set out to make a crap movie then its actually pretty good.

8 out of 10.

If you are looking for a movie that doesn't take itself seriously... than Haggard is for you. I must say before i write anything more, that if you have not seen any of the CKY (Camp Kill Yourself) videos than the movie most likely won't be AS funny. My advice is to watch a few clips of those videos that Bam and his friends made. Haggard does not take itself seriously AT all, and that was never the purpose. Throughout the movie you will have random moments that have nothing to do with the plot, which may get annoying but its nothing that is out of control. Even through all that the plot does stay focused and the story of Ryan Dunn's character does unfold quite nicely. This plot i have been told is based off a true story (for the most part)of Ryan Dunn's ex-girlfriend. Brandon Dicamillo is by far the best character in the movie. He has a lot of talent and knows how to make people laugh. He stole the movie if you ask me. Overall I love this movie for its simplicity and straight up weirdness. Its a Bam movie people, its not going to be normal. Haggard is filled with hilarious quotes that my friends and I constantly used since the first time we saw it. I've seen the movie 6-7 times and still find new things every time. The soundtrack is just as good. Everything from Gnar Kill to New Order and some techno. Just don't go into the movie with high expectations, let it all unfold and then judge it for what it is.