The Sitter

 The Sitter

A little bit of a disappointment, but still has some good and funny moments throughout. 

Jonah Hill plays another slacker type that finds himself caught up in “an adventure” while babysitting.  We get a number of R-rated jokes thrown in for good measure, but the movie does feel a little uneven.  And, it is that uneven plot and joke ratio that are what holds this back. 

Make no mistake; this is a total remake of Adventures in Babysitting.  It has just been updated and with a different name.  Some call it homage to that movie, but it is clearly a remake with a few elements from Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead.  They even have a guy dressed in full 80s gear in a certain scene. 

So what did I like about the movie?

- Sam Rockwell as a drug dealer:  This is a parody of the drug dealer from Boogie Nights.  He even has this strange kid that hangs out with him.  Also, this guy has a group of bodybuilders that seem to be in a constant loop of working out.  His intro scene is pretty funny.  You can tell Rockwell is having a lot of fun.  He’s the best thing about the movie.

- Jonah Hill’s character is good at oral sex:  It is a funny bit that doesn’t get enough screen time.  You know what they say about fat guys?

-The little girl is pretty funny.

-You actually understand why Jonah’s character is a loser of sorts. 

Things that didn’t work…

-The script is weak:  It is just not as funny as other comedy adventures like say Trains Planes and Automobiles. 

-Ari Graynor’s character:  I know I was supposed to hate her, but the movie really does test your power to not turn off the movie with her.  Yes, she’s cute, but damn I just wanted to tell Hill’s character “It’s a Trap”. 

- David Gordon Green’s direction is a bit boring.  And, I found his direction boring in Your Highness. 

While the movie isn’t bad, it feels like it is lacking something.  I was hoping the movie would be funnier than what it turned out to be.  Hill and Rockwell are great in their roles and I liked the references to other movies and 80s jokes, so that helped it from being thrown in the lame section.  

And, it is better than most of the recent Adam Sandler movies.  

Grade: C-

 The sitter?  More like the shitter. 

 Jonah Hill:  “Isn’t this where Neo fought Agent Smith?” 

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