This Happy Madison production falls into the shadow of comedic movie greats
Let’s face it, we’ve all seen and still quote from infamous comedic movies like, “Waterboy,” “Big Daddy” and “Billy Madison.”
The plot and dialogue of these Happy Madison films are so ridiculous that they are hilarious and forever etched in our minds.
I do not think “Strange Wilderness” is one of those. Sadly, it didn’t even make top five in the weekend movie reviews the weekend it debuted.
“Strange Wilderness” showcased an all-star cast with the usual characters in the Adam Sandler films, including Allen Covert and Steve Zahn (Employee of the Month), who played the actual writers of the film, Fred Wolf and Peter Gaulke, respectively.
I went in expecting to pee on myself or at least come out with my sides aching. However, sadly I only laughed a handful of times and my friend ended up texting for most of the movie.
Covert and Zahn take over a T.V. show called “Strange Wilderness,” when the original host, Zahn’s (Peter Gaulke’s) father dies. Upon taking it over, ratings drop and the show is put into a 3 a.m. time slot, hardly prime time.
The guys, with the rest of their crew, including Jonah Hill (“Super Bad”) playing Cooker and Justin Long (“Jeepers Creepers”) as Junior, decide to go on a quest to find Big Foot in the indigenous forests of South America.
The plot is a little outlandish but that’s what makes some movies so great. I cannot say I was greatly pleased with my viewing experience; I went away a little more than disappointed.
The whole point of a movie is to experience the emotions the characters are meant to convey. When movies are labeled comedic you, as a viewer, expect to laugh.
I will say there were a few entertaining spots in “Strange Wilderness.” I will call them spots because there weren’t entire funny scenes.
Justin Long (Junior) is the cameraman who smokes an ungodly amount of reefer. He gets eyes tattooed on his eyelids so people think he’s awake when he’s really sleeping. That part was really funny, I won’t lie.
I was also rather fond of the part where a shark is pictured with buck teeth and a voice over by Steve Zahn. That part was on the previews of the film on TV.
To be honest it was one of the main reasons I wanted to go see “Strange Wilderness.” Turns out it was one of the only good parts.
Most of the parts in the film are lewd, rude, eccentric and unacceptable for viewing by children.
That’s why most of us go to see these movies though, isn’t it? Adult humor. Even though the film has some appealing attributes for comedic movie lovers, I can’t really call it funny.
I have to say “Strange Wilderness” is a less than mediocre film, and I would suggest detouring the movie theatre and going to Blockbuster if you want to see a real “pee in your pants” comedy.

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