Comedy troupe “The Tenderloins” make their big-screen debut in director Chris Henchy’s Impractical Jokers: The Movie from Funny or Die and truTv. In 1994, four friends, Joe Gatto, Sal Vulcano, Brian Quinn, and James Murray, were involved in an incident at a Paula Abdul concert. The incident results in the group deciding that videotaping dares is an excellent way of making a living, and the show Impractical Jokers is born.
Years later, the show is a success, and in an ironic twist of fate, the foursome runs into Abdul at a local Red Lobster. Abdul recognizes the group from their hit comedy show and not from the 1994 incident. Abdul invites the group to a party in Miami, with full VIP access, but only gives them three passes. The group then decides to drive cross-country to Miami, competing in a series of pranks, with the loser not going to the concert.
Adaptations of TV shows into movies is nothing new, however with reality-based shows, the question of, “why would you pay for something in the theater, that you can watch at home” arises? For it’s a simple answer, there’s nothing like the big screen. While I consider myself more of a casual fan of the show Impractical Jokers, my wife, and son are faithful viewers of the show.
Walking into the film, I generally knew what the concept of the show was and expected to see a ninety-minute adaption of the series, with the envelope-pushing a bit further. To my surprise, screenwriters Chris Henchy, Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn, Sal Vulcano craft a successful linear story centered on the show’s concept.
The plot is a simplistic one, granted movies like this don’t need to be overly complicated. However, the pranks in the film as the friends try to one-up another are what saves the film. Some of the capers in the movie include an Atlanta Hawks interview, a tiger in a Motel Room, and reading fake eulogies on the National Mall. One of the pranks that feature one of the Jokers as “Bat Boy” is worth the price of admission alone. I also enjoyed the extended cameos for Paula Abdul and Jaden Smith, both of whom are clearly in on the jokes.
The one area where Impractical Jokers: The Movie doesn’t succeed is the backstory for the group. Having the group portray the younger version of themselves is a mistake as the wigs and make-up have the quality of a high school drama production. While I understand this is a lower budget film, I’m sure the studio could’ve found lookalikes for the group. I would’ve also liked to see all of the Joker’s families in the film. The only Jokers who get somewhat of a backstory are Brian Quinn and Sal Vulcano. There’s a running joke throughout the film that tries to paint James Murray as a mysterious figure, and while the set-up is interesting, we never get a punchline ending.
Nevertheless, I do recommend that fans of the show make the trip to the theater to see Impractical Jokers: The Movie. The film stays true to it shows roots, while providing enough laughs for novice viewers.
Final Grade C+
Director Mark Polish brings together one of Hollywood’s sons and action icons for his latest action film, “Alarum,” from Lionsgate. Alexander Vesha pens the film’s script, which centers on two married spies caught in the crosshairs of an international intelligence network that will stop at nothing to obtain a critical asset.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to return to 1995 and show some love to R&B singer Montell Jordan and his platinum-selling single, “This Is How We Do It,” which hit record stores on April 4th, 1995. Jordan was the second male R&B artist to sign with legendary label Def Jam and burst onto the scene with the Slick Rick sampling hit “This Is How We Do It.”
The year was 1995, and the pop boy band takeover was still a few years away. Nevertheless, R&B vocal groups were holding it down. MCA had already found success with Immature, the nineties answer to New Edition, and their subsidiary Uptown had an answer to The Jacksons with the Dalyyrrimple brothers, a.k.a. Soul for Real.
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