ohroonoko

I did not know the late great Chris Farley had a brother in show business until I saw this episode and saw "Farley" in the end credits to confirm my suspicion, but I recognized the resemblance immediately. Kevin brought a wonderful emotionally vulnerable teddy bear energy that reminded me so much of Chris. Now I want to check out his guest appearances in other sitcoms to see if that is really his comedic style or if he was channeling Chris for this particular episode-- it was a slapstick performance which Chris was known before throughout his career. At any rate, I haven't laughed so hard watching a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode before. Thank you for the laugh, Kevin!

The main plot was good, if unoriginal, but the screenplay was bloated with terrible subplots that never would have made it past a good script doctor. But therein lies the problem: the director and screenwriter are one in the same which tends to be a conflict of interest when it comes to editing a screenplay. Although this was adapted from a short story, even if it was a faithful adaptation (I haven't read the original work), it should have been a leaner story. Or maybe this director added in several unnecessary subplots and story elements. Was he under pressure from Netflix to spice it up? Was the director trying too hard to overcome the cliché plot of a ghost needing help to solve his own murder? Was the original work never meant to be a comedy?

This is what I'm talking about. The entire viral video/social media fame subplot and the Wizard Clip subplot both should have been abandoned which would have shortened the film by 30 minutes. Clocking in over 2 hours was too long and these subplots only dragged the story.

The film has tonal issues between the family drama and the comedy fare. This is a problem of both directing and some uneven casting choices. Anthony Mackie, a good dramatic actor, has no comedic chops at all; he was a terrible casting choice-- if the director was going for comedy or even comedy-drama. David Harbour and Tig Notaro, good comedic actors, had their talents wasted by playing it too straight; that was terrible directing. (Although Harbour's final dramatic scene at the lake was beautifully poignant, that was one of only 2 bright spots in the film).

Faith Ford's comedic performance was the other bright spot in the film and it would have been nice to see her in an epilogue, since her subtle performance was the really the only good comedic performance in the movie. Jennifer Coolidge's slapstick performance (jumping out the window in terror) was so out of place with the tone of the rest of the film that it's jarring looking back at it. This was not a slapstick comedy type of film although it feebly attempted to be in one or two awkward places.

In short, this movie fails as a comedy but if you can ignore the poorly executed comedic elements and superfluous subplots that only serve to extend the runtime, underneath it is a good basic story.

This was the most fun movie I've watched, maybe since Thor: Ragnarok. This is an unabashed laugh out loud comedy, but with a lot of heart. And it ends on very high notes (including the final post credit scene) unlike Ragnarok does. (Not saying L + T is better than Ragnarok because that film was epic in scope and I possibly prefer it, if only slightly more so).

In the previous Thor films, I honestly didn't think Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman had good on-screen chemistry, but that changed here. Wonderful chemistry between them. I'm glad they fixed that.

The screenwriting is probably this film's strongest aspect for me. Taika Waititi & Jennifer Kaytin Robinson nailed the plot, the structure, the dialogue, and the pacing. Taika Waititi's comedic timing shined in directing. I loved the reoccurring gag with the screaming goats.

Finally, that 80's rock n roll theme and the gorgeous end credits. This really dialed up the fun to 11. It's that vibe that I hoped Wonder Woman '84 was going to bring but failed miserably to deliver.

As I'm getting older there are few films I will spend the time to rewatch, but 10/10 I will watch this again.