Review of Reno 911!: Miami (2007) by Andrew M — 24 Jul 2009

This isn't a very good movie. In fact,it sucks. But I am totally biased because Reno 911 is one of my very favorite shows. I've never seen an episode that didn't have me cracking up. So naturally,I love this movie. But I feel weird reviewing this movie. For one,I somehow gave it a higher rating then the recent Johnny Depp pic Public Enemies. Also,the movie clocks in at a whopping 71 minutes and is extended by the slowest-rolling credits in movie history. So essentially,this could've been a two-part episode (which is how they start every season anyways). The scenery change is there purely for gags on getting lost ('are we in a cafe?' 'Yep,we are driving through the middle of a cafe') and not a whole lot else. The writers (who happen to be cast members) brought the gross-out humor to the maximum,with scenes of multiple characters masteurbating in hotel rooms to disposing of a beached-whale (it's not pretty). There is absolutely nothing beyond the typical episode-there's gross-out gags followed by harmless ones,pointless nudity and a lot of swearing,although here it's not censored. The characters don't change,the scenes dont change,the dialogue doesnt change-it's just an extended episode,not unlike the Simpsons Movie. The short length of the movie is actually a good thing though...any longer and it would just get redundant. Overall,I loved it despite it's stupidity (even for Reno 911) and pointless or unfunny moments.

There are many amusing guestspots that do add to the movie; Paul Rudd plays a wannabe-Cuban coke dealer from Colorado, Michael Ian Black is seen tattooing Michael Showalter,Joe lo Trugila (who is now a cast member on the show) plays a tattoo artist,Paul Rebuens plays a rich guy,Danny Devito appears in a dream,Nick Swardson reprises his role he has on the show (for no reason at all) and Patton Oswalt plays a reluctant government official (NOT a reprisal of the role he had on the show). The directing (also a cast member) is surprisingly good for such a lowbrow movie.

In the end I guess I'm still on the fence. I laughed very hard and often,but I hesitate to call the movie good,because it was a bit subpar to the show itself. For fans of the show,I say rent it,definitely. For those who are unfamiliar with the show-watch the show first.

I still can't believe that the two men responsible for the show (Thomas Lennon,co-writer and Robert Ben Garant,co-writer and director; both of whom are the two main characters) are responsible for the Night at the Museum movies. Very random.