It seems that a lot of movie critics are just down right overly critical of movies as of late. Critics just chew a movie out right from the start, especially if it’s not an award winning performance that could be seen at the Oscars or Academy Awards. Why not just go to the movies and have fun with what you’re watching? Over-analyzing someone’s performance, when you yourself have laughed at the jokes. I understand how critics work, especially when they go see a movie that’s not in their genre of their choice. If you’re looking for an Oscar winning performance go see movies like Social Network, or maybe the upcoming Robert Redford starring film The Conspirator, you don’t watch X-Men Origins: Wolverine or How High expecting something that will move your heart or blow your mind (well maybe Wolverine when it comes to the action). Your Highness wasn’t the best pictures film, but it definitely delivered what it was meant to, a good time at the movies.
Synopsis:
Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil. But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world—Your Highness. As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent’s fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed.
Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he’s settled for a life of wizard’s weed, hard booze and easy maidens. But when Fabious’ bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off.
Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman)—an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own—the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land. Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets front row seats to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages.
Review:
It definitely is a big change from their Oscar and Academy Award performances, but James Franco is good at bringing in the comedy as well, that we know from Pineapple Express and in this film, he matches that performance pretty well. Natalie Portman stood her ground as well when it came to the funny bits, showing she has potential to do comedy through this film more than her recent Rom-Com No Strings Attached. Danny McBride may have overacted it a bit, and I must say that less is more when it comes to him, but when he let’s it out there’s no stopping him and it’s just fun to watch on screen and wait for what he has coming next. Overall they make a good comedic trio. I would have liked to have seen the other characters in the film do a bit more though, it seems like the big three names were given the best parts and overshadows the rest of the cast (Charles Dance, Toby Jones, Damien Lewis, etc).
I was laughing most of the time, but the trailer of the film may have brought out it’s best punchlines too early. Most of the jokes seem recycled, but still outrageously fun none-the-less. I could also however point out that this film deserves the R-rating to the max, as it just goes from raunchy comedy to balls-to-the-walls, dirty and messy when it comes to the sex jokes as well as the use of illicit four-lettered words.
This is the second collaboration between Franco and McBride since the stoner comedy Pineapple Express. Most of the story bits seems recycled from that film, but the rest of the story was played right down to the basics including story and character development. This is why I say, if you’re going to see a movie like this, expect nothing less. It’s a bunch of stupid humor, filthy sex jokes, and the seemingly growing (no pun intended) use of the male genitalia on screen.
However, the film overall comes at it’s best when the director gives way for the actors to throw themselves into their comedic performances. It certainly is a good time at the movies, and laughs will definitely be had, so bring good spirits and don’t expect to be touched or moved, and you will be fine. Your Highness is as an old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery adventure film not to be taken too seriously as it delivers the comedy in mockery of it all.
What did you think of the movie? Was it too much? Not funny? Did you enjoy the few hours you spent in the theater? Good laughs? Please discuss and let us know your thoughts and comments.
