Movies / Home Theatre

Hall Pass Enlarged Edition

By Chris Zimmerman
June 15, 2011 - 13:45

In 1998, Peter and Bob Farrelly cemented themselves in the comedy genre of cinema y concocting the off the cuff There’s Something About Mary. Since then, the brothers have been in pursuit of that same success using every tired retread and formula that springs to mind. With that we come to Hall Pass, the latest offering by the brothers that deploys their usual offering of gross out comedy and disjointed relationships.  

The film see’s best friends Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) in danger of losing their wives as a result of their wandering eyes and sex-obsessed minds. In an effort to save their marriages, their wives Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) take a hint from a friend and decide to give in to their husband’s desires, offering them a “hall pass” for a week, free of responsibility to their mates. In essence, this plan is meant to offer a solution to their struggling marital problems by allowing the bums a chance to see the positives of their relationship.

What results is almost every sex-focused comedy minus the comedy. Instead we get a mechanical result that is devoid of feeling and emotion. The film brandishes misogynistic behavior and ridiculous circumstances on its way to delivering what a thinly veiled and ridiculously conceited plot twist that. Sadly though, the Farrelly’s lack of commitment to a credible script or the humor that brought them fame leaves an absence in empathy from the production team as well as the audience.

Even the Blu-ray feels like a quickly pieced together offering, With only additional scenes and a gag reel for extras. There’s also an extended version which is touted as containing more footage not seen in theatres. Boasting more of the same brand of listless humor it remains questionable why anyone would want to suffer through a longer cut of the film. The Blu-ray is also packed with a bonus DVD, which seems to be all the rage these days as the transition from DVD to Blu-ray becomes ever apparent. A digital copy is also included for those with wireless devices or on the go.

Really, Hall Pass is an uneventful film that is light on laughs. The only reaction inspired by the film is that of frustration due to the recurring bag of dumb jokes and mind numbing gags that the brothers insist on shoving our way. It’s incessant and infantile. Take a cue from the film and take a hall pass to other movies that are less reliant on clichés and celluloid rubbish.   

D

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 - 16:51