Jack Black as a Cave Man Equals: Funny

“Year one” is a silly film about biblical times that depicts Jack Black and Michael Cera as two ‘hunters and gathers’ that really don’t cut it in their village. The duo is banned from their tribe and goes on a quest to find new surroundings. To really get into the tone of the film, you’ll need to recall the days of Monty Python to fully enjoy this film for what it is; a spoof on just about everything back in ‘cave-men’ days. Do Jack Black and Michael Cera look funny in this film? Yes, indeed they do and the banter between them is equally funny.  The main question is; “Is the film funny?”  Yes and no. At times, you laugh-out-loud and other times the jokes fall flat. The down-fall is the erratic pacing and disjointed script as the film is all over the place. One minute the duo is about to be killed, the next minute they are Roman soldiers and the next ‘the chosen’ rulers. Mainly the film highlights Jack Black’s comedic talents. If you are a fan then you’ll love this movie as he’s on-screen throughout most of the film, nearly every frame.

When Black eats the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge, he is kicked out of his village. Cera, decides that he needs a little adventure and decides to accompany him. They cross over mountains to arrive just in time to witness Cain (David Cross) slay Abel (Paul Rudd), in a comedic scene as; not once but several times.

Next the duo encounters Adam (Harold Ramis), Cain and Abel’s dad.  He questions the whereabouts of Abel and never gets a straight answer from any of the fellows. Ramis wears many hats in this film as he is the director and writer as well. Harold Ramis should have had a larger part as he is the ‘real deal’ when it comes to funny guys.

The Neanderthal pair searches for Sodom as they have heard about this city and its vices. Nuances are apparent as the comparisons to Las Vegas are blatant. The remainder of the film is in ‘sin city’ and we meet many new cast members. Naming himself "the Chosen," Black continues to tear down belief systems, and replaces them with elaborately rationalized, ego-driven thoughts of himself as the world's savior. He continues in this vain until basically someone slaps him out of it; not visually but rather rhetorically.

Black's comedic timing is ever so great with a dead-pan partner and Cera is perfect in this role. Other Black parings; Hector Jimenez in "Nacho Libre" and Mos Def in "Be Kind Rewind," worked and so does this one, Black and Cera play off each other beautifully. They both complement each other as the two are a different as night and day. Black's the braggart and Cera’s the quiet nerdy type.

Matthew J. Willig, an NFL player for 14 years joins the cast in his first major role. He’s fun to watch in the film as this 6’7” guy towers over Black and Cera, plays their revival for a while then as with so many things in the film switches gears, they become comrades.

Year One is a fun ride with some good jokes and some really bad ones; it’s not perfect by any means and may even offend a few. If you are a Harold Ramis or Jack Black fan then I’d say don’t miss it. I enjoyed the refreshing twist of viewing a comedy with men and women in silly costumes.

Sarah Adamson © 2009