RICKY STANICKY
Starring: Zac Efron, John Cena, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino, Lex Scott Davis, Anja Savcic, and William H. Macy
Director: Peter Farrelly
QUENTIN
Ricky Stanicky is a throwback to the second-tier offerings from the circa-2000 heyday of the Farrelly Brothers, conjuring memories of Shallow Hal and Stuck on You. What that ultimately means is that while there are some laughs to be found in the moment, the movie as a whole is mostly forgettable (although, I’m sure I’ll add “air dicker” to my vernacular going forward, and I would absolutely bop to Rock Hard Rod’s (John Cena) Jack-Off Jams). That said, if nothing else, it proves Cena, who is fully committed here, can be a comedy powerhouse when given the right material. He just needs to pick better scripts.
PRESTON
Ricky Stanicky is what you would get if you asked a 14-year-old aspiring film writer to create an over-the-top (no holds barred, kid!), comedic screenplay, but even then, I think the result would have been better. I could never be accused of being a John Cena mega-fan, but to his credit, he does everything he can to hoist this lackluster script out of the muck. I admit that there are a few jokes that land, but most are full-on misses that had me cringing for all the wrong reasons. So, at almost two hours in length, the joke’s on you, as they say.
NICK
Fresh off his Bitesize Award for Best Actor in The Iron Claw (check that out HERE), Zac Efron is back…but with a disappointing follow-up. Ricky Stanicky - which was somehow once on The Black List of best unproduced screenplays - boasts a relatively generic script filled with lame and lazy jokes. The lone bright spot is John Cena, who saves this flick from obscurity as he dives all-in to make the most of the wacky material he’s given. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to save Ricky Stanicky. Look, it's been almost 20 years since director Peter Farrelly has made a good comedy; maybe it’s time for him to give it up.
