Dumb and Dumber To Review

When a sequel to one of your favourite movies is announced, a flurry of feelings often ensues causing nervousness, sweating and often tears. In the months leading up to the release of such a film, the hype rises from a slow simmer, to a bubbling boil, to a "WOAH, take that off the heat, do you wanna start a fire?!". For me, Dumb and Dumber To was such a film, reuniting Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels and the Farrelly Brothers just 20 years after the first outing.

The film follows the dim-witted duo, Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Daniels) who embark on another adventure in an attempt to track down Harry's daughter who could act as a kidney donor. Announced in October 2011, Dumb and Dumber To underwent a turbulent pre-production phase with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. refusing to produce and distribute the film. The general trend of films with this much hype and pre-production, see John Carter and Spiderman 3, fail to produce the critical reception and box office success. So, Is Dumb and Dumber To worth the wait?

Well, the answer to that question will depend on the enjoyment of the original and your comedic taste. Any synopsis of the story is irrelevant as the film is really a series of comedic set-pieces that continually test the dumb nature of the individuals. For the most part, these work well with the biggest laughs coming from nostalgic references to the original much like the format of the funny buddy-cop sequel, 22 Jump Street. Any fan of Jim Carrey, will be glad to see a return to manic form after a series of disappointing roles in recent films like The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Kick Ass 2.

Harry and Lloyd introduce Travis (Rob Riggle) to the 'He Who Smelt It' game.

 Dumb and Dumber To is at its best when Harry and Lloyd are embarking on the cross-country road trip. The highlight being not one, but two dream sequences which are perfect examples of the hilarity and absurdness which made the original a success. As the duo approach their destination of a KEN conference where Harry's daughter is expected to hold a speech, the film screeches to a halt and laughs become more sparse. However, the film wraps up with a funny albeit dumb (What do you expect?) ending. This film will be enjoyed by fans of the original and by anyone who is tired of the monotonal crudeness that so many comedy films rely on today. It is a welcome return to the comedic physicality of Jim Carrey's earlier movies and showing the chemistry of the two main characters is still there and still as dumb as ever.

7/10