Year One (Harold Ramis, 2009): USA
Reviewed by Elias Posada. Viewed on DVD.
Looking back on history could be a truly comedic experience. As we can see through the film Year One. This movie was a truly good time and laughs all the way. They took an interesting take on the history and the stories that most everyone has heard. Jack Black and Michael Cera take the audience on a trip of hilarity the only way they know how.
This film seemed to have some of the comedic powerhouses of last few years. Of course their leads included Jack Black who has starred in films like Tropic Thunder and School of Rock among tons more. Also relatively new comedic actor Michael Cera who has starred in Juno and Superbad, added the perfect awkward humor to Black’s in your face type of humor. Not only were the star comedy gold but they had some help from others such as Oliver Pratt, David Cross, and Hank Azaria. Usually writer’s do not get much credit but in this film the jokes are written very well and come at the perfect times. Harold Ramis and Gene Stupnitzky really execute in making the audience laugh the whole way through. Also as Director, Ramis does a good job in portraying a comedic form of those times and really have some accuracy to the depiction of clothing and architecture from that time.
In this film, Zed (Black) eats from the legendary tree of knowledge. He also shows interest in one of the women of the tribe but she wants the best hunter. You then meet Oh (Cera), who is socially awkward and really just wants to talk to a girl who has no interest in him. Zed then is kicked out of his hunting and gathering tribe, although he was not good at either so he was not very missed. However, Oh joins him in leaving the tribe. With Zed leading the way (thinking he is all knowledgeable) the two run into historical characters such as Cain and Abel and Abraham. When they find out that their tribe has been sold into slavery, they stop at nothing to save the the women the loved. They are introduced to kings and princesses, virgin sacrifices, and the part of themselves they never knew existed.
This film is definitely not a film to be taken seriously. It is obvious that this film was not intended to be historically accurate. This movie was used to entertain its audience. There was no statements being made or criticisms of cultures. It was just supposed to be comedic relief. I think that Ramis did a good job in portraying those times even if it was a comedy. It seemed like he did take the time to get costumes and scenes to fit the story. However, to add to the comedy he needed to change the language to modern slang. This is obviously inaccurate but does add to the comedy because the audience can better understand what they are saying. I don’t think this movie really was intended to change views or make fun.
I believe that this film was very funny. I also understand that comedy is a genre that is very diverse. People may not think that this film is as funny as I am portraying. I’m not saying they are wrong because I can see how this movie could be taken wrong due to all their Biblical references. If you don’t take it as a serious statement than I believe you could see the true comedy behind this film. So if you can get past the Biblical portrayals I truly believe this movie is worth seeing. It is best that only older audiences watch this film because the comedy is mature. It is now on DVD and I strongly suggest Jack Black fans to go out and rent or buy this film.
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