It really is hard to believe it’s been 20 years since DUMB AND DUMBER hit theaters. Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s loving tribute to classic slapstick (the silliest qualities of The Three Stooges or The Marx Brothers) became an almost instant comedy classic, embraced by a generation following the Zucker Brothers comedies of the 80s. Oddly enough the Zuckers attempted something similar a few years before with BRAIN DONORS featuring John Turturro, but moviegoers just weren’t ready yet. DUMB AND DUMBER was perfect timing, as Jim Carrey was hitting superstar status, and people were ready for a big dumb comedy. It was also a surprise to see Jeff Daniels breaking away from some of his more standard serious roles, playing an equally odd goofball and holding his own with the craziness of Carrey. Many wondered why a sequel never got made (I don’t count that prequel Carrey and Daniels had nothing to do with), and now after 20 years we finally have it. Some might think this is the result of Jim Carrey’s recent film record, which has seen a drop off since BRUCE ALMIGHTY, and the Farrelly Brothers also haven’t had a big hit lately… though I did enjoy their attempt at reviving THE THREE STOOGES a few years ago. But oddly enough Daniels is the one who probably needs this the least, as he’s currently killing it on THE NEWSROOM. So the real question is after two decades can these guys recapture the same magic no one expected back in 1994?

DUMB AND DUMBER TO opens with Harry (Daniels) visiting Lloyd (Carrey) at an assisted living home, where he’s been since not getting the girl of his dreams 20 years ago (a reference to the first film). Turns out the two decades Lloyd has been catatonic were all an elaborate joke on Harry, and with that insane idea the story is off and running. Now we, the audience, are properly caught up after 20 years have passed, as these two haven’t done anything together since we last saw them. It’s a rather brilliant way to fill the gap. Harry explains to Lloyd that he needs a new kidney, and through a series of events we discover Harry may have a kid he never knew about with an ex named Fraida Felcher (Kathleen Turner). When Lloyd sees a photo of Fraida’s girl he is immediately smitten, and now wants to find her for himself, unbeknownst to Harry. The duo decide to track down the long lost child, in hopes this will provide a new kidney for Harry, so once again they’re on a road trip. We’re introduced to the naive Penny (Rachel Melvin), who appears to be the long lost daughter, now in the care of one wealthy and widowed Dr. Pinchelow (Steve Tom). Pinchelow is under the watch of Adele (Laurie Holden) and Travis (Rob Riggle), who are really after his money. The boys arrive at the Pinchlow estate to discover Penny has left for a TED-like science conference, so they leave to track her down there with Travis in tow. We all know where this is headed, Harry and Lloyd trying to get to Penny, while Travis and Adele try to carry out their own nefarious plans.

The comedy adventure starts off pretty strong, and the laughs come fast and furious for the first hour of the film, some stronger than others. There’s one gag in particular that had me howling for a solid minute, probably more than I ever did with the first film. There’s also plenty of gross out humor we can expect from the Farrellys, not unlike the first movie had as well. But once we arrive at the science conference, things seem to grind to a halt. Suddenly the humor just kind of lays there, and the inevitable ending takes forever to get to. Though it’s just 110 minutes this actually seemed more like an Judd Apatow comedy that overstays its welcome. DUMB AND DUMBER TO feels like two uneven halves of a whole, a strong first half and a weak second half. But there’s no denying it’s fun to see these guys back together again.

And speaking of the reunion, the endearing qualities of both actors and their chemistry together is what saves this film more often than not. It’s obvious how much older the boys are now, Daniels looking a little thicker around the face, and Carrey not quite as rubbery and energetic as we remember. But they still sell it, and it’s more pleasurable than not seeing them side by side again. There’s even a moment in the end credits where we see split screens of the original film next to scenes from this one, and it’s rather amazing how little they’ve changed (and stick around until the credits are over for a little treat).

Where the pairing of Carrey and Daniels is good, it’s the script that feels like the weak point here. Written by Sean Anders, Mike Cerrone, Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, John Morris and Bennett Yellin (yes, it took six guys to write this), we literally feel like we’re witnessing too many cooks in the kitchen. The second half is the most telling example of too many ideas trying to be cohesive and just not working. Even Rob Riggle, who I normally love, feels kind of lost in the mix here – and he actually plays two characters! Laurie Holden, playing the sexpot with an agenda, reads her lines like she’s doing an improv skit – by the numbers with no real conviction. Only Kathleen Turner manages to shine, turning in a fearless performance and playing it brilliantly straight against the idiotic leading men.

In many ways DUMB AND DUMBER TO is a sort of loose remake of the first film, especially since both productions were motivated by Carrey’s character going after a woman. It even features a few of the same songs and score cues from the original, and a recurring character or two, which should be nostalgically pleasing to fans. But the first movie had a certain magic about it and casting mix that worked well when playing off each other. It’s safe to say there was a lot more pressure here as the Farrellys were trying to live up to that cult status. So while it’s not an awful sequel by any means, it’s not really the follow-up everyone was hoping for. Not unlike INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, which was also a long-awaited sequel that failed to wow audiences, this reunion’s best quality is seeing the actors back in roles we loved… it just hardly tops what came before it.

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