Review of RV (2006) by Sylvester K — 11 Dec 2011

This movie is just as pathetic as its protagonist. It certainly doesn't aim for anything hard to manage, but it somehow goes awry - just like the journey.

Robin Williams, going from edgy, foul-mouthed funnyman of the 80's and 90's to a loser of a dad in this movie (through the process of being neutered - with some struggle - by studio execs), desperately tries to prove himself as a decent father by abducting -- er, taking -- his family on a trip through the Rocky Mountains on an RV.

How have the filmmakers gone this low to create a hickie on the neck of Hollywood? And Robin Williams, shame on you! Your over-the-top mania made the film less funny than what it could've been. Well, it wouldn't have been much since most of the gags were about hicks, crap, pee, and/or wild animals. They make me want to gag. >_> Makes me wonder why I gave the similarly painful "Furry Vengeance" a higher score. Oh yeah... That was actually kinda amusing, which this movie is not.

Aside from that remark, any decent attempt at a story is thrown out of the window in favor of... (refer to above paragraph). It's not even entertaining; it just plods along at its own pace, leaving the adults to suffer. Not to mention, it's too tame to even merit any chuckles. If it were a little edgy and played more to Williams' strengths, then this movie might have been alright. Alas, producers just think kids these days can only get dumb humor.

The only praise I can sing for this film is that at least the acting is okay, and the visuals are... natural? Natural enough to make it seem like it's filmed on location. Plus, I'm sure that's how RV dwellers actually acted, even if it's a bit exaggerated. However, RV was bad enough so that none of the actors other than Robin Williams got any more decent roles. 'Tis a shame...

Need a vacation? Don't watch this movie. Just go to Orlando, or someplace you'd usually go. For some reason, it seems to remind me of "Rest Stop"... yeah, probably in how bad both movies are. I don't want to know about anything else they may share.