[Review] Dumb and Dumber To

1994's charmingly ridiculous Dumb and Dumber made the most of its schtick, producing buttloads of quotables and irresistible gags that can still be heard being referenced today. But the 20-years-later sequel, Dumb and Dumber To doesn't fare too well at all. This doesn't mean that this sequel was doomed from the beginning, but the overall execution comes up lame and fails to recapture the best of the first one or expand on any of it.

After Lloyd (Jim Carrey) emerges from his fake coma, he and Harry (Jeff Daniels) reignite their friendship. Early on, Harry reveals that he needs a new kidney, and of course, Lloyd doesn't take the hint. However, Harry finds out that he has a grown daughter somewhere out there, so the two set out on another cross-country road trip to find her.  

Dumb and Dumber To has all lowbrow antics you'd come to expect, but it's all done to dreadfully unsuccessful degrees. The script is super weak, and the jokes land with thuds... Or more like little puffs. Just like the predecessor, the story thrives on Harold and Lloyd's ignorance, but the first one approached this aspect in a more playful and consistent manner. The humor sprouted with organic spunk, and no matter how absurd things got, it was easy to hand yourself over to it.

This time around, there's a lot of reaching, and the humor is significantly more crude and loathsome. Some of it is flat out creepy (in the scuzzy sort of way). The film isn't even on par with contemporary "dumb" comedies like Dinner For Schmucks and Due Date. And even though fart jokes are generally an easy way out, they're usually effective. However, Dumb and Dumber To somehow manages to render its scenes of flatulence as unfunny, which might just be the biggest crime of all.

This sequel is a barely redeemable retread--a last resort curiosity rental if Blockbuster still existed. Carrey and Daniels are still dedicated to their roles, but this film can't help but feel like a complete waste of time. You probably won't be quoting any of this one, and you'll most likely want to flush your ticket stub down the toilet (actually, don't do that). When it comes to Dumb and Dumber, all you really need is wun.

3/10