Let me preface this review by saying that yes, I am a conservative, and yes, I'm sick of Michael Moore documentaries and the general elitist attitude Hollywood has towards the USA.
That being said, this still isn't a great movie.
in case you haven't heard,
An American Carol is the brainchild of David Zucker, and is supposed to be a modern day retelling of
A Christmas Carol. Only this time, Scrooge is replaced by Michael Malone, a fat, lazy, slob of a director, whose anti-american documentaries are constantly upstaged by his feature-film director counterparts. In his desperation, he inadvertantly helps a trio of hapless terrorists who are planning on blowing up a benefit concert on Independence Day.
I was never expecting a deep political satire to begin with, it is directed by one of the comedic minds behind
Airplane! after all, but I was expecting it to be funny. And it is in many places, but with such shallow, sophomoric gags and lines as to make
Tropic Thunder look brilliant. This is political incorrectness at its most extreme, and many of the laughs are derived at the expense of Malone, the terrorists, and various other kooks that are encountered throughout the meandering plot.
"This beard makes you look like a terrorist! Which is funny and ironic because you actually are a terrorist, but I don't know that yet! Comedy!"
Some of the shots taken at the far-left are actually pretty humorous (in my opinion, at least). The interview with Rosie O'
Connell was spot on her spouting lunacy that made even the main character cringe. ("Because everyone knows that 911 was the first time fire ever melted steel!")
But the one part of the movie that consistently made me laugh was Kelsey Grammar as General George S. Patton.
Is he worth my eight bucks though?
Speaking of Kelsey Grammar, there was a lot of stunt casting in this movie. Everyone from Paris Hilton to Bill O'Reily makes an appearance. Leslie Nielsen, Dennis Hopper, and Jon Voight play important roles, along with....Trace Adkins? Seriously? You couldn't find any other famous conservative musicians that actually play...y'know, good music?
"What the fuck do you mean 'We couldn't get Ted Nugent'?!"
So, overall, if you think
South Park,
Airplane!, and
The Naked Gun are all hilarious, chances are you'll laugh at this too. But those actually expecting a more complex political satire should stay far away.
I give it a 6 out of 10. Still funny, but if you aren't conservative to begin with, this movie isn't likely to convince you to change anytime soon.
(# 0) on 10/05/2008 11:59
(# 1) on 10/05/2008 19:08
(# 2) on 10/05/2008 20:03
"Trace Adkins? Seriously? You couldn't find any other famous conservative musicians that actually play...y'know, good music?"
Of course, country music being "good music" is a matter of opinion. I personally do not care for most of it, but the movie even made fun of country music too. And yes, Kelsey Grammar as Patton was gold, IMO. I personally would have gave it a 8/10, but I'm weird to begin with and hate most movies that come out these days. Good review!
Oh, and I really loved the college indoctrination musical portion.
(# 3) on 10/05/2008 20:10
When I saw the trailer, I was convinced Chris Farley had faked his own death and started eating better, but it was just his brother.
(# 4) on 10/06/2008 13:04
Oh well. Sounds like I can wait for the second-run showing or make it a rental.
(# 5) on 10/06/2008 18:54
Qalamari, I've got to use that simile sometime. xD