Often times when a raunchy comedy tries to be sweet, it doesn't work and feels at odds with the humor. This movie is certainly an exception to this rule. Neither feel at odds with the other because they both come from the same place, the characters. The characters themselves are the best part of this movie. They are very likable and relatable. Each one has his own personality that is very different from the other two. When this causes conflict between the three friends, we buy it completely and even feel for these tweens. These characters are made more real by the three lead actors. Jacob Trembley, Keith L. Williams and Brady Noon are not just great child actors but great actors for any age. The three also have perfect chemistry and it is a joy watching them share the screen.
When it comes to the film's humor, the funniest moments are the ones that come from the characters, while the weakest ones are raunchy for the sake of being raunchy. Some of the funniest moments are ones that aren't raunchy at all. For instance the boys getting stuck on the freeway, rule-abiding Lucas trying to act natural around a cop when the boys skip school, Max trying to fix Lucas' arm and Max thinking he can control the drone perfectly without hitting anything are some of the comedic highlights. However even the best raunchy moments come from the characters not the raunchiness. For instance that Lucas legitimately worries that animals might take Molly is very funny. Where the humor doesn't work is when it becomes about the raunchiness. For instance the dad congratulating his son as masturbating and the boys using a dildo to keep a door closed got no laughs from me at all.
With these characters this movie captures very well the awkward time in our lives when we are kids but no longer want ourselves or others to view us as such. To prove we are adults, we break the rules, cuss like sailors (there is no one out there with filthier mouths than middle schoolers), and pretend like we understand everything sexual. But as this movie shows maybe growing up has its own downfalls, completely different from those of childhood. There is a very heartfelt message about growing up that takes place near the end of this movie. This message is not simplified but presented in all its complexity. With all the focus on high school and college movies, this time often gets overlooked. I am glad with films like this and Eighth Grade, this awkward time. My only reservation about that is with both movies being rated R, kids who could use the lessons these movies teach are too young to see the movies.
This movie's plot is a good one but often times too similar to that of Superbad for its own good.
An often funny comedy with a surprisingly sweet and touching ending.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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