Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Movie review: Hell and Back

When Curt borrows a mint from Remy, promising to pay him back before immediately reneging, the two and friend Augie are transported to hell where Curt is scheduled for execution. Remy and Augie are also scheduled to be killed simply for being in hell.

Nick Swardson (Remy), Mila Kunis (Deema), Bob Odenkirk (Devil), T.J. Miller (Augie), Rob Riggle (Curt), Susan Sarandon (Barb), Danny McBride (Orpheus), Maria Bamford (Gloria), Lance Bass (Boy Band Demon).

Hell and Back is one of those films that, even as you can't look away you know is causing brain damage. The storyline is a mix of contradiction, hypocrisy, and mythological contradictions apparently meant to be funny. While there are a few laughs, the humor feels as if it came from a couple of high school stoners. Add that to the strange stop-motion animation and you still don't quite have a complete film.

The high quality cast in this one is quite a surprise given the lackluster entertainment value of the film. That said, everyone did a wonderful job with the voice work and from that perspective, the film was enjoyable.

Did I mention Hell and Back is animated? Animation was a strange stop-motion approach that felt immature and rough which didn't help the film much. Yet, it was oddly fitting given the plot and theme. Dialogue was campy, infrequently silly, and more frequently tepid. Sound and soundtrack were pretty good.

In the end Hell and Back is a bit disappointing. The humor doesn't quite hit the mark, nor do the visuals. The best part about this one is the voice work which just isn't quite enough to make it entertaining.

With plenty of crotch humor, sexuality, animated violence and gore, and persistent foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 11.16.16
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Adult Animation, Dark Comedies, Late Night Comedy, Comedy, Adventure

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel
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