Year One

Review by Sean Lynch

The best thing about the MTV Movie Awards is, without doubt, those little comedy gems that are Celebrity Laced Skits.

... Or "CLS" for those who are Twittering and "just don't have the time for real words".

It's such a novelty to see so many familiar, famous or cult figures on screen at once - in clearly, a fun environment - that even though the skits in question aren't that funny... there is a strange euphoric sense of joy that seems to emanate from the screen.

The same has to be said of Harold Ramis' Year One.

The barely there premise follows a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers (Jack Black and Michael Cera) who are banished from their primitive village, for eating the "Forbidden Fruit" from the "Tree of Knowledge".

From here, our hapless heroes set off on an epic journey through the ancient world - and in the process, encounter (and unknowingly becoming a part of) countless Biblical and historical events.

In a nutshell, Year One is another Epic Movie...

Or more accurately, Biblical Movie - except unlike those woeful Meet The Spartan flicks - this puppy comes packed with a significantly larger budget, an impressive celebrity ensemble cast and the seal of approval from Judd Apatow.

The real question remains - is it funny? To be perfectly honest, I'm still not sure.

Director, Harold Ramis (best known for his classic roles in Stripes and Ghostbusters), seems to have written a few notes on a napkin as to which Bible stories he wishes to take aim at - and appears to have just let the actors improv the rest.

It's this incredibly loose structure which both destroys the film... and saves it.

Michael Cera is the single most unique comedy star in the world right now. Fans of the Arrested Development, Clark and Michael and Superbad actor's awkward charm will love every single frame the lanky guy appears on.

The same goes for fans of Jack Black, David Cross and any number of the other comedians that pop up throughout.

They all shine in their own way and most will love it - but only if you're the type of comedy nerd that will trawl through hours of YouTube or FunnyOrDie footage just to catch a glimpse of them doing something unrestricted.

The only part of the film that starts to follow some resemblance of a script is towards the end - which, ironically - is when Year One starts to hit a pretty heavy flat spot.

Thankfully, Oliver Platt saves most of the third act as the camp High Priest of the Roman Empire (a character who I'm certain must be based on Foxtel Movie Critic, Bill Collins). A special mention must also be made of the smoking hot Olivia Wilde (who most will remember from The O.C.)... she is sizzling.

Year One isn't a terrible film, not by a long shot, but it is a deceptively enjoyable one simply because what is on screen is such an excitingly rare, improvisational, cameo-based beast.

Take out the A-List cast playing around without restraints... and what remains is a bunch of very simple, "Exclusive Internet Content" with some average-at-best gags about Biblical events. And you just know that the DVD release will feature more extra uncut content than the movie itself.

Yes, Michael Cera is hilarious - but it's fair to say that his style isn't for everyone - and that is where Year One (for many) could fall totally flat.

2.5 out of 5

Year One
Australian release: 18th June, 2009
Official Site: Year One
Cast: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Vinnie Jones, Hank Azaria
Director: Harold Ramis