Review of Without a Paddle (2004) by Steve H — 19 Sep 2009

Upon learning of their childhood friend's death, three friends (Matthew Lillard, Dax Shepard, Seth Green) take a camping trip through the Oregon wilderness, searching for lost treasure belonging to a fallen skydiver.

It's one of those comedies your likely to see on replay on Comedy Central, mixed in with dozens of other semi-failure films, most of which ever even saw theatrical release. Matthew Lillard leads the band, holding onto the last glimpse of a spotlight he briefly held in the late 90's with films like "Scream" and "She's All That". Dax Shepard (of "Punk'd" fame) provides the most laughs (as usual) with his dry deadpan humor, while Seth Green gives the dullest performance as their timid buddy who seems to be afraid and/or allergic to everything.

Throughout the journey, the trio meet up with hillbilly pot farmers (including a recently slimmed down Ethan Suplee), attractive female naturists living in a tree, and even a crazed woodsman played by Burt Reynolds.

The laughs are minimal, mostly provided by Shepard, and it's basically a comical approach to "Deliverance" (also starring Reynolds). Sadly upon perspective, the disturbing "Deliverance" actually provided more laughs. Eventually things water down in an attempt to have the characters learn a life lesson and come out better people.

It wouldn't kill ya to spend 90 minutes watching it on TV for free, but I'd suggest not throwing down a rental fee to check it out.