The Out-Laws is more proof that logging into Netflix on a Friday evening is just another case of Russian roulette. You can find absolute quality or end up with dustbin content.
The movie introduces us to Owen, a law-abiding citizen who is a bank manager who is about marry the love his life, Parker. Parker’s parents come to town to visit which coincidentally happens to be the week Owens bank gets robbed. It’s now a game of cat and mouse as the parents history has followed them to town and could ruin the whole union pending not to mention putting their daughters life in danger.
Adam Devine does what he does best. He’s comical, hilarious, and outrageously laughable as Owen (not in a good way) however does not suit this role. They should have used someone else as he looked uncomfortable himself with his overacting. Nina Dobrev is the cute, innocent damsel in distress, plays her part cleanly. Now the stars of the movie. Pierce Brosnan, Hollywood royalty is just the normal, smooth, sexy, and charming self. He just can’t switch off the Bond in him. Ellen Barkin seemed shy, uninterested, and just borderline missing. Almost as if she was avoiding the cameras lol. Michael Rooker, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty and Lauren Lapkus all take back seats (pun intended) but do a mediocre job bringing some laughs. Blake Anderson and Lil Rey Howery settle for small but effective roles. The little screen time they have they bring some humour. The whole casting was weird and even the positions of main cast and supporting cast seemed really off. The marketing does focus on the casting so I guess that was tool to pull me in, well it worked.
It did have a decent start then starts to get muddled up from about halfway through. It reminded me of more Workaholics where everything feels rushed, forced and chaotic. It has fun moments but with a bland story which was destined for one conclusion, there wasn’t much to look forward to. There is some very tasteless comedy here. Richard and Julie’s characters were unbearable and didn’t need to be present. Lil Rey and Laci Mosley had some good scenes together but not enough. Pierce was the highlight of the film. His character Billy coupled with Adam’s Owen had some good scenes. During some gun fights they would have screaming matches at each other which made for some good comedic content. Then it switches to a bank robbery scene which featured Shrek and it was horrid. It was tough to get through.
The worst thing a comedy can do is not be funny.
With a lacklustre villain with an appalling motive as well as an appalling final third it’s a big miss for Netflix. We have been lacking a fun filled heist comedy in the industry so this concept had some potential. Produced by Adam Sandler so my expectations weren’t high but didn’t expect this disaster. It would be easy to blame on the writers’ strike but I don’t think that excuse will work here. When the highlight of your film is Pierce Brosnan making a Bond joke then you should halt releasing the film. It’s a big NO from me. KenKen watched it so you don’t have to!
What were they thinking? What did you think of it? Even for cheap laughs did it deliver for you? Did you laugh out loud even once? Is this part of Netflix’s strategy? Release a great film then a trash film? React and comment below…
