Netflix Self-Torture Experiment Trilogy #34: Land of the Lost
I’m taking a little bit of a gamble on this one. Normally I like Will Ferrell’s movies but Semi-Pro was stupid and Step Brothers was pretty iffy. The commercials for Land of the Lost made me think his current downward slide was not yet over.
Synopsis from Netflix: After accidentally uncovering a portal to an alternate universe peopled with dinosaurs, Sleestaks and other strange creatures, Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) and two associates are forced to navigate a dangerous new world. Brad Silberling directs this big-screen adaptation of the classic 1970s adventure series “Land of the Lost,” the high-concept, low-budget fantasy dreamed up by famed children’s television producers Sid and Marty Krofft.
My thoughts: Well, most of my assumptions about this movie turned out to be correct. The majority of the attempted humor was based on Will Ferrell asserting himself to be an expert on everything, only to be immediately proven wrong. It grew tired pretty quickly. There were a few moments that did make me laugh, though (all of which took place either before or after the journey to the Land of the Lost):
- Will Ferrell taking a run at Matt Lauer on the Today Show. I’ve always wanted to do that.
- The introduction of the phrase “Mexican Vasectomy” as the name of a firecracker.
- The introduction of the phrase “Captain Kirk’s nipples!” as an expression of excitement.
- Will Ferrell titling his second book Matt Lauer Can Suck It, and forcing Matt Lauer himself to read it out loud on air.
Overall, it was a pretty dumb movie but it did have a few highlights. [Two out of five stars.]
