The Campaign (2012)

'The Campaign' is exactly what you expect it to be - a silly, predictable dumb comedy movie that you've already seen a million times before, only under a different title. Though this one does have a few positives to make it stand out from the crowd.Obviously, the film mocks modern politics but it isn't just the politicians who are ridiculed. The film perfectly captures the naivety of some American voters, from cheering whenever they hear any mention of God, to shouting out incoherent nonsense at rallies. Some of the humour is subtle but very funny if you pick up on it.Overall, 'The Campaign' is nothing special but it did make me laugh. As you would expect, Ferrell and Galifianakis are both very funny in their roles. A decent, enjoyable comedy movie.

The Campaign (2012): Dir: Jay Roach / Cast: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Katherine LaNasa: Warped comedy about the deceit often associated with elections. Will Ferrell plays Cam Brady, a congressman in North Corolina who has gone unopposed for years until naive family man Marty Huggins, played by Zach Galifianakis is convinced to run against him by sources whose reasons are for greed. As predicted, Brady views this as a threat or intrusion to his cozy lifestyle and back and forth they go in competing. Huggins is led by others in his lewd suggestions while Brady uses vengeful tactics such as sleeping with his opponent's wife. This is all very crass and vulgar but its humour is on target with its subject. That could be part in due that Jay Roach previously made the Austin Powers films as well as the underrated Dinner for Schmucks. Ferrell plays Brady as a knock on George W. Bush, and in his competing state he manages to punch a baby in the face as well as put a dog in a neck brace. Galifianakis makes a great foil trying to do the right thing while being drawn to the wrong decisions. Supporting roles are unfortunately flat including the underused Jason Sudeikis as Brady's campaign assistant who has seen funnier days in other comedies. Dylan McDermott is also cardboard as some sort of enforcer out to influence one of the parties for the benefit of a higher source. It addresses the sincerity of political figures and the charades they present for votes. The jokes are often offensive but it works effectively on the vague promises made to ensure our vote. Score: 7 / 10

There isn't much to say about this film. The plot is predictable with little to do with its subject matter. Simply put 2 guys hate each other throughout but by the end work out their differences, similar to a lot of Adam Sandler films.Both the lead actors try very hard to be funny, Will Ferrel shouts a lot and Zach Galifianakis puts on an annoying voice, they fail to pull off any quality comedy. This is due in part to a very weak script but largely because they are just not that funny. I get the feeling the director just let them make the script as they were shooting rather than use anything concrete.Overall cheap comedy.

The Campaign is an uneven slapstick comedy about two polar-opposite candidates in a North Carolina district. Zach Galifianakis and Will Ferrell star as Cam Brady and Marty Huggins, respectively, one vying for an uncontested fifth term and the other a tourism director. Jay Roach, who directed the Austin Powers movies, is at the helm here.Cam Brady is a slick ladies' man, but when he accidentally leaves a (shall we say) ribald message on the answering machine of a devout family, his backers the Motch brothers think it's time some new blood was sent to Washington (on their behalf). Enter Marty Huggins, who displays none of the alpha-male characteristics one might expect from a politico, as his dad Raymond (Brian Cox) is an old hand at politics and a friend of the Motch brothers. Marty enters the race mainly to impress his jaded dad, who's always favored his other son Clay over Marty.Marty's quickly in over his head, but help arrives in the name of Tim Wattley (Dylan McDermott), who's sent by the Motches to be Marty's campaign manager. Wattley soon has rearranged Marty's life (new dogs, new furniture, new wall hangings, new haircut for his wife) and has instilled confidence and even some ferocity into Marty's normally placid personality. This helps Marty in the first candidates' debate.The Motch boys (Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow) are patterned directly after the Koch brothers, real-life political cronies, with the same business-first mentality. The brothers' aim is to place someone in Congress who they can get favors from, such as tax breaks and other incentives for their various factories.This is not a shrinking-violet movie. Whole lot of profanity, a lot of it funny and some of it even in good taste. The story may seem a little mean spirited to some - the trailer famously showed Ferrell's character punching a baby, sort of a no-no in politics - and truthfully there are times when the nastiness is a little over the top. Galifianakis and Ferrell are good enough to pull it off, but they can't work miracles. That said, there are some really funny scenes, including the debates, the fake commercials (which escalate in hostility), and really any interaction between the stars.But the movie is also often too maudlin and melodramatic; too much that could have been funny or at least sweetly sincere is instead blown up, stretching our credulity even further. One thing about this movie certainly does ring true, and that is that Big Money can win a campaign.