Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Directed by Kevin Smith.
Starring Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks and Jason Mewes.
Don't try and deny it — you're only considering seeing this film because it has the word 'porno' in the title. Either that or you're hoping to see Elizabeth Banks in the nuddy, even if it means having to look between Seth Rogen's crown jewels to do so. If I was right about the last reason, unfortunately for you both Banks and Rogen don't bare all in this comedy about two friends who attempt to make a porn flick in a desperate bid for cash. But, don't despair too much because Zack and Miri Make a Porno — a title which takes after Snakes on a Plane in being a self-proclaimed plot summary — features its fair share of nudity, dirty sex jokes and a 1970s porno soundtrack that will have you saying "bow-chicka-wow-wow" at anything remotely sexual for the next week.
Yet, even with a premise loaded with comic potential, the film still manages to go limp when it comes time to deliver the laughs. Many of the running jokes lose their steam prematurely, but are still ran dry for the entire duration of the film. Zack's (Rogen) quest to find a dirty title for their porno becomes tedious, even if there are a few hilarious ones such as Star Whores. No prizes for guessing what the lightsabers are in this adult remake.
Maybe I'm just bitter that the Neanderthal-looking Rogen continues to get with beautiful women on-screen. First, he Knocked Up Katherine Heigl and now he's Elizabeth Banks' milk delivery guy. To his credit, Rogen is on top this time around and is perhaps the funniest he's been in a while, which isn't saying too much considering his co-stars are often the primary source of comedy (such as James Franco in Pineapple Express). That said, Justin Long's brief but hilarious role as a gay porn star still manages to steal the show and Craig Robinson is perfectly cast as the porno's producer, who 'selflessly' sacrifices time away from his wife to oversee the auditions.
Hopefully, you've noticed that this review is riddled with sexual innuendo. If you've enjoyed this, then you'll also probably enjoy what this film has to offer. If you didn't find it at all amusing, then the formulaic romantic subplot tacked onto Zack and Miri will not be enough to keep you entertained.
Anders Wotzke
