Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd Reviews

If ever a title told the truth, it's this one. Sheer venality is the only reason anyone could have thought 1994's DUMB & DUMBER merited a prequel (rather than a sequel, presumably because Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels wouldn't commit to reprising their roles). But even given its mercenary origins, it's flat-out astounding that this inane farrago ever got made. Leads Derek Richardson and Eric Christian Olsen may be carbon copies of Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey, but their copycat performances produce an even more tasteless product than the original. After being home-schooled for years, Harry (Richardson) is forced by his mother (Mimi Rogers) to give up his imaginary friend, Captain Rob, and attend high school. Harry follows a treasure map to his destination and literally runs into Lloyd (Eric Christian Olsen), explaining the mysterious chip off the adult Lloyd's front tooth. The exceedingly unintelligent duo, who combine the mentality of dopey 6-year-olds with the bodies of teens, are chosen by Principal Collins (Eugene Levy) and lunch lady Ms. Heller (Cheri Oteri) to round up students for the school's new "Special Needs" program. Collins and Heller are actually conniving to get a grant that they plan to use to buy a condo in Waikiki, but the guileless Harry and Lloyd agree to search out students just like them. They assemble a motley student body, most of whom are drawn to the program's lack of adult supervision and homework requirements. Harry's dream girl, whip-smart budding reporter Jessica (Rachel Nichols), thinks there's something suspect about the project and enlists Harry's aid in investigating on the school paper's behalf. Meanwhile, Lloyd develops crushes first on Harry's mom and then on Jessica, imperiling his friendship with Harry. Though short, the movie seems endless and devotes an extraordinary amount of time to truly repulsive scatological gags. And it's truly upsetting to see such talented actors as Luis Guzman, Eugene Levy and Mimi Rogers subjected to the most degrading and stereotypical roles imaginable. The film's only mildly appealing character is the "Big A" store clerk (Brian Posehn) who refuses to be amused by Lloyd and Harry's moronic antics; sadly, even he eventually succumbs to the film's relentless and overarching stupidity.