Once again, the film jumps aimlessly from one clip to the next, hoping we find physical injury, constant laddish taunting and obsession with genitalia hilarious. To be honest, some of it is very funny, mainly because we can't believe that an adult would do something so stupid. Many of the gags involve throwing themselves into objects (or vice versa) like a live-action Road Runner cartoon with added bodily fluids. They have rather a lot of fun in the blast area of a massive jet engine and put themselves in jeopardy from some very large animals. One of the more outrageous bits involves playing tetherball with an angry beehive.

As usual, the most interesting aspect of this film is the way it plays with male camaraderie and machismo, as these guys happily get naked and abuse each others' bodies but recoil in mock horror at any hint of homosexuality. Pontius is the only one who is clearly unbothered by showing (and abusing) everything in full view. By contrast Jonze always hides inside some sort of body-suit, in this case as a fat woman joined by Knoxville's rude old man for some Borat-style interaction with the public.

But after a decade of hijinks, is there a point anymore? These are grown men acting like Beavis and Butt-head (who provide the introduction), mindlessly wandering into the next ridiculous-but-inventive scenario without quite thinking through what might happen. All of this is captured in crisp, clear 3D that's thankfully not too gimmicky. Although it's often revolting, reducing even the cameraman to stomach spasms.

What's most interesting here is that, these guys are clearly feeling the pain more acutely than a decade ago. They're also much more aware of the cameras, playing to them while avoiding the more extreme potential embarrassment. Perhaps this is because many of them now have children. Or that they have made so much money that taking things that little bit further is no longer worth the paycheque.

themes, language, violence, nudity

27.Oct.10