“Would you like some Merlot? I made it in the toilet.”
Let’s Go to Prison has some laughs, but in today’s world of more raw comedies might not exactly appreciate it. Even though the unrated moniker makes it sound rougher than it is.
Let’s Go to Prison delivers several good belly laughs in the movie but it relies on the same old prison jokes that you would think (shower scenes, fear of male rape, etc.). Those expecting the comic heights that were on display from Bob Odenkirk on Mr. Show or something similar to Reno 911! might be a little disappointed.
John Lyshitski (Dax Shephard) is a three-time loser and always getting tossed in the clink since childhood. He blames the Judge, Nelson Beiderman III (David Darlow), for his living the low life of crime. So after he gets out of the joint after his latest incarceration, he develops a plan to revenge himself on the Judge. To his dismay he discovers that Beiderman has been adjourned to a heavenly court, but decides to instead take his revenge on Nelson Beiderman IV (Will Arnett), his son and heir.
Nelly is sold to Barry
John frames Nelson for a robbery and his trust fund’s lawyer (director Bob Odenkirk) decides to defend him so poorly that he’ll get tossed in the clink and the lawyer will be head of the fund. John has a problem though, since he feels like he’s taken a date to the prom and everyone else is getting to pork her. So he decides to get thrown into prison as well and bribe his way into being Nelson’s cellmate.
He then proceeds to give him advice, of the wrong kind, to help Nelson adjust to prison life. Barry (Chi McBride) takes a romantic interest in Nelson and John goes behind Nelson’s back to sell Barry a piece of “white chocolate.” However, things don’t go as John planned since Nelson starts to adjust to prison life and actually starts to adapt and excel.
I suppose that you gotta give the film some kudos since I only recall one joke about John’s last name, such restraint. The show has some funny bits to laugh at but those expecting the cutting edge stuff from Odenkirk might not think so since most of the prison movie clichés are covered.
Most of the jokes will induce a grin, but there are a few belly laughs in there. Most of them come from Chi McBride as the amours Barry who’s modeled after Barry White, but with a different preference. Instead of outright assaulting his newly purchased piece of “white chocolate,” he decides that he’ll woo the less than receptive Nelson (or Nelly).
Ironically, most of the jokes are rather subdued with little emphasis on gross out humor (that I can recall, though toilet Merlot doesn’t really sound appealing). Those expecting gross outs like the American Pie series will also walk away disappointed. Just letting you know. It did amuse me for the evening.
John plans his revenge but luck is not on his side
The movie has both the R-rated and an unrated cut. You’re supposed to choose between the two on the menu. I watched the unrated one, but the running times seemed awfully similar. The unrated version offers a 90 second introduction from a grouchy cop, making it sound like a filmstrip you’d see in high school.
Let’s Go to Prison is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features include a 3 minute alternate ending that seems a little more harsh that the ending of the film. Next are 2 deleted and extended scenes that run about 4 minutes.
There’s a 6 minute featurette called “Let’s Go to Prison Soundtrack Session” that interviews computer Alan Elliot, director Bob Odenkirk, and musicians James Gadson (drums), King Errisson (bongos/congos), Ray Parker, Jr. (guitar), Rahzel Brown (beat box/sound fx), and Reggie McBride (bass).
Let’s Go to Prison has some laughs, but in today’s world of more raw comedies might not exactly appreciate it. Even though the unrated moniker makes it sound rougher than it is. I had some laughs, but I don’t know that it bears up to multiple viewings. It’ll make a good rental though.
Bob Odenkirk has a small role in the film
Let’s Go to Prison is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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