Unlike “The A-Team” movie that was based off the popular 80s television show, 2010’s “MacGruber” is nothing more than an over the top and super exaggerated parody type picture. Where “The A-Team” makes an attempt at having a plot, “MacGruber” only makes an attempt at being funny – which it surprisingly does in certain aspects throughout.
I grew up being a huge fan of the TV series “MacGyver.” The show stared Richard Dean Anderson as a smooth talking good guy who boasted no specific affiliation and always scored with the ladies. Unlike typical heroes, MacGyver never used a gun, letting his special skills of invention solve his problems for him.
Based on the ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit, Will Forte takes the lead role of MacGruber; an obnoxious and haphazard doppelganger of the Richard Dean Anderson character. Forte is a funny actor, and has the skills to pull of a multitude of roles, from the more serious character in “Nebraska” to the goofy crime fighting MacGruber, Forte can be underrated, and in this film, is quite hilarious at times.
Slapstick humor is abound from the onset as a gun battle in the opening handful of seconds depicts more blood and death than in the entire series of MacGyver.
Powers Boothe perfectly plays Colonel Jim Faith (a role that mocks military characters from “Rambo” and “GI Joe” ) and is perfect for the part with his gruff demeanor and ice cold stares. Colonel Faith takes rookie agent Dixon Pepper (Ryan Phillippe) into the jungles of Ecuador to entice the thought to be dead MacGruber out of retirement for a top secret mission.
“MacGruber” has multiple laugh out loud moments, and several scenes I found myself rewinding and re-watching with tears held back in my eyes. The list of awards and honors MacGruber is said to have won is absurdly long. That he changes the hard rock in his convertible to 80s pop before cruising is a thing of beauty. The addition of Val Kilmer as Dieter Von Cunth – MacGrubers lifelong nemesis and primary villain is gold.
The drawback is the plot itself, which may be better suited for a shorter duration on SNL than a 90 minute movie, though it doesn’t drag too much, you eventually get sick of MacGruber’s character repeating the same foolishness over and over.
Fellow SNL cutie Kristen Wiig is another funny character that partners with MacGruber and becomes the love interest, though depth and anything serious are off the table as is to be expected.
“MacGruber” is exactly as you would picture. Its stupid humor that has a goofy plot and far fetched characters. While not a challenger for an Oscar, it succeeds in its primary goal – being funny.
by – Matt Christopher
