MPAA Rating: R
Directors: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
FilmPulse Score: 8/10
Odds are, if you know who Tim and Eric are and like their TV series’ Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job and Tom Goes to the Mayor, then you’ll go see this movie and love it. If you don’t know who they are, and the kind of madcap comedy they bring to the table, then you’ll most certainly leave the theater confused and in disgust. Being a huge fan of Tim and Eric myself, this review is probably biased, but with these guys, you either get it or you don’t. I’m glad to say I get it, and I freakin’ loved this movie.
Everything about this film is so over the top, much like the Aqua Teen movie, the fact that this film was actually made is an accomplishment all on it’s own. That’s not to say it shouldn’t have been made, it’s just nice to see studios and distributors taking risks. And this movie is a huge risk, even with all the celebs attached to it.
The film’s plot consists of Tim and Eric making a movie with a billion dollar budget, but completely screwing it up and owing the evil studio exec, played by Robert Loggia, the entire billion. To get the money needed they decide to create a PR company and take over managing a dilapidated mall currently run by Will Ferrell’s character. Surprisingly, the movie sticks with the narrative more than one would imagine (if having seen their TV show), but there are still plenty of trademark cable access style commercials and weirdness. This is a film that needs to be seen to understand how insane it actually is. It goes full throttle from start to finish, and from the opening credits you are made aware that you’re in for quite a ride.
So how’s the comedy in the movie? It’s absolutely hilarious. There’s something here for just about every kind of comedy fan. The gags range from parody commercials, to one-liners, to (really) gross stuff, and everything in between. Being a fan of subtle, awkward humor, there was plenty of that going on too. One minute you’ll be rolling of the floor in tears, and the next you’ll be recoiling in disgust.
Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Moviewon’t appeal to everyone, and it will probably only be seen by fans, but that’s who this movie is for in the first place. Fans will be able to enjoy an uncensored version of the madness of Tim and Eric, and get to see it on the big screen to boot. I hope that this will help broaden their fan-base though. If you think Tim and Eric are as funny as I do, take a friend to see this that never saw them before. Whether they love the film or not, it should still provide some interesting conversation on the ride home.
