Review of Masterminds (2016) by Lane Z — 20 Aug 2017

There are wacky comedies like 'We're the Millers' or 'MacGruber' that balance between zaniness and competence, and then there are insanely wacky comedies like 'Masterminds' which overshoot both categories completely. Masterminds doesn't just teeter on the edge of being believable with a spot of zaniness or vice versa...it full on seesaws from one spectrum to the other making for an unfulfilled and spotty viewing with a cast built for stronger results.

Zach Galifianakas takes on the role of David Ghantt, a small town, backwoods security money truck driver who falls in love with Kristen Wiig's Kelly. She knows Owen Wilson's Steve, the bad apple of the crew, who helps persuade Galifianakis' character to help them break away with $17 million. It's amazing to think back in 1997, the Loomis Bank Robbery was the second-largest at the time. This was something that actually happened! Even with this nugget of knowledge given to us at the beginning of the film combined with the voice over work to help make this feel like it was something that actually happened, it all felt fake and conspired by director Jared Hess. None of it seemed plausible because of the cartoonish portrayal of every character. I get this takes place in the backwoods of some redneck town in North Carolina, but it was all far too silly and over acted to seem truthful.

There are few laugh-out-loud moments, and most of the giggles come from some solid physical comedy between Galifianakis and Wiig, but none of the supporting characters really flex their muscles and at just 90 minutes, you're in and out before the bank robbery even feels large enough to support the plot.