Let's Go to Prison: Review By Dodd

Generally when a film is not screened for critics prior to its release date, this spells bad news. Rather than filling everyone with a sense of mystery, the basic assumption goes that the film must be so bad that studios do not want to face embarrassment. Usually this assumption is true. Once the critics get their hands on the film over opening weekend, it is curtains for flick's reputation come Monday.

As an avid filmgoer, it is sometimes tragic to see these films denied coverage. This is particularly so when the marketing for the picture actually looks promising. What is one to do after months of anticipation only to find that the film is given the dreadful denial of criticism? Most people tend to turn in the other direction. However, I only find it fitting to proceed forward if I've sincerely anticipated the film's release.

This week, I was put to the test of facing a critically panned comedy. That film is Let's Go to Prison. Why exactly would I want to see this film? Despite its seemingly funny trailer, it is directed by Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show) and written by Thomas Lennon, Ben Garant, and Michael Patrick Jann (Reno 911). With Arrested Development clown Will Arnett in the leading role, how could this film not be funny? Well...the results vary.

John Lysh*tski (Dax Shepard) is an ex-con that has been in and out of jail his entire life. Instead of blaming his incarceration on his poor choices, he instead uses the judge who has sentenced him as a scapegoat. After being released from prison a third time, Lysh*tski finally decides to take revenge on the judge, who is inconveniently deceased. The alternative plan: take revenge on the judge's pompous son Nelson Biederman IV (Will Arnett).

After an elaborate plan, Nelson ends up falsely accused of a robbery and sent to an aggressive penitentiary. To further make his life a living hell, Lysh*tski arranges to be placed in the same prison and cell as Nelson to encourage the odds of painful man love and vicious stabbings. At first, Lysh*tski's plan takes off swimmingly as local rapist Barry (Chi McBride) takes Nelson into his possession. However, things begin to backfire as Nelson unexpectedly gains a spot at the top of the prison hierarchy. Let the brawls begin!

In the first 20 minutes of Let's Go to Prison, I found myself experiencing comedic bliss. I was filled with anticipation to leave the theater and proclaim to Internet movie-lovers that Prison is indeed an underrated gem. However, just when one would not expect a comedy to lose so much momentum, it does just that. While many would argue that prison is not funny, I would beg to differ. As an aficionado of comedy that dares to have an edge, I believe there is nothing funnier than a bold comedy about prison rape and an unfair judiciary system. That being said, Prison is ripe for tons of classic moments. With its penitentiary setting in place, the possibilities are limitless. It just seems as though the writers either suffered a severe block or encountered an abrupt deadline.

What is even more shocking is that the film begins to go flat once Arnett enters the picture. While the actor is still mildly funny here performing his usual daft shtick, it is Dax Shepard who manages to secure the most laughs throughout. Chi McBride is even dead-on as a prison rapist that attempts to woo his "bitches" with toilet hooch and Chuck Mangione records. For the most part, the performances stay consistent throughout. The casting is perfect for this particular storyline. Unfortunately, this talented trio is not given the proper jokes to allow comedic flow.

Let's Go to Prison is not a terrible comedy. I say this because it does not disgust its audience with an overwhelming tidal wave of bodily fluid jokes. For an R-rated comedy, it stays tame and instead reaches for quality writing. Unfortunately, the right scripts are not always at the actors' disposal. The film is sprinkled with hysterical jokes throughout. However, its failure to remain consistent gives Let's Go to Prison a tepid score at best.

Questions? Comments? Just want to talk movies? Drop me a line at dodd@movieweb.com