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124 reviews in total

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83 out of 129 people found the following review useful:
Why all the haters?, 7 March 2011

Author: doomsyer from United States

I don't understand all the haters on here about this movie? I thought it was funny and laughed all the way through, and so did my wife. It is a lot funnier than Little Fockers was, and that is not saying much. It is a great movie to go and watch and just sit back and laugh and forget your troubles. What is wrong with some crude humor? I guess since I am in my 40s, and have friends that talk and act like the ones in the movie, it just was funnier to me...who knows....

I guess to each their own......

For me, I wish they would put out more funny movies like this. I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time....

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27 out of 40 people found the following review useful:
Moderately entertaining, but still very far from the Farrelly bros' best times, 15 April 2011

Author: collipal-1 from Argentina

I remember that there was a time in which I was enthusiastic to see the phrase "A new movie from co-directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly!", but that was 10 years ago. The Farrelly bros. made four brilliant comedies in a row (Dumb and Dumber; Kingpin; There's Something About Mary; and Me, Myself and Irene), and back in that time, many people (including me) considered them as the kings of the modern cinematographic comedy. However, it seems that the time diluted the sense of humor they showed in those four movies, or maybe, the commercial success impulsed them to "evolute" to a less coarse and more emotional style (which would eventually be usurped by director Judd Apatow and his imitators). Anyway, I found the films they made after Me, Myself and Irene to be insipid comedies with trite scatological humor and cloying emotions. Now, Hall Pass is another mediocre comedy in their filmography, but I found it to be much better than their two previous films (Fever Pitch -2005- and The Heartbreak Kid -2007-).

The screenplay from Hall Pass is too predictable and a bit weak, but that is partially redeemed by some good moments of reflexive comedy. On the other side of the coin, we also have too many apparatus scenes of slapstick and vulgarity which feel too forced. Something which was done well by the Farrelly bros. in Hall Pass was filling some supporting roles with exaggerated characters which satirize very particular strata from North American society. I have to say that the absurd version of the perfect suburban family led by the characters Ed and Britney made me to have some laughs, something which is also a merit of the competent performances from Rob Moran and Lauren Bowles; and I also liked the character of the classic old-young man, which is well interpreted by Richard Jenkins.

I think it would have been more interesting to see an interpretation of the story told by Hall Pass made with the style of films like Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice or An Unmarried Woman, but well, I guess that the political correction has became more important for the Farrelly bros. than the narrative irreverence, so we can expect in here the trite moral lessons, various illogical jokes and forced comic rudeness which already characterize the work from these filmmakers. At least, Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis managed to take the maximum advantage out of the mediocre screenplay by bringing good performances, something which also applies to Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate as their characters' wives. In summary, I did not like Hall Pass very much, but at least it did not bore me and it occasionally made me laugh, something which makes it worthy of a slight recommendation.

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18 out of 28 people found the following review useful:
Different view., 13 July 2011
Author: Tiburcio72 from Mexico

Seems that not everybody understood the plot. Maybe they were expecting a Vince Vaungh performance. First, the hall pass was given under a misinterpretation and overreaction. These guys were dorks and good husbands, not studs trapped in a marriage that missed their bachelor years. At the end, one of the wives recognizes that the one that needed that break was her, not the husband. If you were expecting a wild and crazy behavior after permission was granted, look for another stupid "guy flick" at Vegas. There were few clichés, like the use of pot and a shart (fart and diarrhea), but even the last one deserved a laugh. Good dorky movie, specially that Kevin James was not in it.

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57 out of 106 people found the following review useful:
Go Get Your "Hall Pass", 25 February 2011

Author: jgregg42 from United States

Have you ever wondered what happened to the crew of guys from the first "American Pie" movie? After they lost "it" I often wonder what happened after they got married and had kids and moved out to the suburbs. What happened 20 years later when they were no longer the "Big Men on Campus"?

Thanks to the new release by the Farrelly brothers (Bobby and Peter who also brought us "Dumb and Dumber" and "Kingpin") we are now able to see the rest of the story. "Hall Pass" is by no means a sequel in the "American Pie" series but both films did remind me of how most men are wired for sexual conquests from puberty onward.

"Hall Pass" captured America's well known character - the middle age suburbanite male and gave him a hall pass. A hall pass is a weeklong excuse for married men to behave badly, drink to excess and sleep with whomever.

We start the movie with Rick (played by Owen Wilson) and Fred (played by Jason Sudeikis) attending an award banquet with their wives. They think they have the "scoping-chicks-out-in-secret" scheme down perfectly while their wives know what dogs they really have become over the years. It's not that Rick and Fred are totally miserable in their marriages but they think that they could be getting some serious action if they weren't tied down. Fred has even resorted to finding a way to relieve some of his sexual tensions in his car.

Their wives, Maggie (played by Jenna Fischer) and Grace (played by Christina Applegate), speak with a psychiatrist friend of theirs who gives them the idea of letting their husbands have a week off of their marriage so that they can carouse and let some of their male tendencies rule. At the end of the week they come back and have stronger marriages because of the freedom. Hey, I am sure it works in theory.

Once the guys are loose, they have some troubles getting back in the game. They are like two disoriented bulls in a china shop; they neither have any idea how they got there nor how to move around with any tact.

The week moves quickly with the guys bar hopping at family restaurants. They embark on a hilarious golf outing after eating some brownies laced with pot. By the third night they are called out on their manhood by their friends. Rick and Fred, like a lot of guys, talk a big game but have very little action to back up their smack talk.

While the boys are trying their hardest using tasteless pick-up lines and getting drunk to build their confidence, the wives are being themselves and living it up with a minor league baseball team in Cape Cod. As an indirect result to allowing the husbands go out, the wives are also permitted a hall pass. However, the wives aren't as shameless about their newfound freedom.

The movie moves on with many quotable one liners and quite a few shock moments. But, it wouldn't be a true Farrelly brothers' movie without one or two shock moments. Remember the hair gel scene in "There's Something About Mary?" The same goes with "Hall Pass," with a lot of big risks comes a lot of big rewards for the audience.

Should you see this movie? Yes. The actors played off of each with ease. Along with a well-written script, it all came together for several big laughs. However, if you are not comfortable with sexual references or outlandish sight gags, this might not be the film for you. If you are the type to laugh at "American Pie," "Superbad," "Step Brothers" or any other over the top comedy then this would definitely be a pick for you.

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12 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
Put a pass on hall pass, 3 March 2012

Author: jtwcnr from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

These types of movies you can expect a certain level of humor and just chalk it up to funny and put in the rotation to watch down the road. I knew this movie would be middle of the road funny going in, but I didn't realize that it would be this bad going out. The whole compilation of the movie was lazy and looked like a rip-off of a Farrelly Brothers movie. They took a good idea and just ran it into the ground. The movie just looked like it was made up as they went along and with the credentials of some of the actors you would think that they would help but they just made it worse to watch. I thought it was way to long and was hoping it would end soon just to find that there were 30 minuets left and they still haven't begin to build up to the conclusion. The only thing that I found funny in this movie though is that you see more wiener than breast.

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28 out of 50 people found the following review useful:
I can't believe this was from the Farrelly Brothers., 22 April 2011

Author: scrapmetal7 from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

There used to be certain elements one could count on in the Farrelly Brothers' films. Of course, everybody knows about their gross-out moments, but their films were also genuinely funny and also had a lot of heart, they were able to get a lot out of their stars, and use unusual locations to great effect. Best of all, they had a kind of daring to create a slapstick comedy environment and then take it into a meaningful direction (KINGPIN being my favorite example). Judd Apatow movies do this now, but I still expect the Farrellys to continue making the kind of comedies they pioneered. THE HEARTBREAK KID had given me a lot of hope that they still have the touch, but in the case of HALL PASS, my expectations are definitely not met.

HALL PASS is lacking entirely in the qualities that made the Farrellys respectable. I had no idea this was even a Farrelly Brothers movie, because it doesn't have their way about it. Even when I saw Rob Moran show up, my only thought was "Hey, that guy's usually in the Farrelly Brothers' movies".

There's nothing about it that stands out from any of the other plastic comedic efforts of the past couple of years, like COUPLES RETREAT or FOUR CHRISTMASES or whatever other rom-coms you can think of. The plot is not unusual, the settings are entirely cobbled together from product placement deals (Applebees, Dave and Busters, "All that talk about arches makes me want to eat AHEM McDonalds!") The movie has a great cast of talented actors we all know and like, but they're given nothing interesting to do or say.

The script needed a lot of help. The jokes just aren't there. The interesting settings aren't there. The heart isn't there. There are some gross out surprises, but that's it. People who didn't get the Farrellys used to focus only on their gross-out humor, but this time, those people would be right because there isn't anything else to this movie.

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6 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Do you hate males? You'll love Hall Pass!, 3 December 2011

Author: Chris from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Do you think men are all bumbling incompetents who can barely dress themselves? If so do yourself a favor and check out this gem!

***SPOILERS!!!!*** Did you know that married men BLATANTLY check out other women CONSTANTLY!!!??? ME NEITHER!!! This information had NEVER come up on my radar and thus the fact that this was pointed out several times in this movie was absolutely hysterical! I'm so glad that JB Smoove & Stephen Merchant found time away from those AWFUL television projects that they're involved in! I just don't understand why Larry David & Ricky Gervais continue to hold these guys back! They should totally continue down this road where they FINALLY have some good writing behind their performances!

This this the best Farrelly brothers movie since Stuck on You!!!!!!!!!

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7 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
I'll Pass, 25 February 2012

Author: Jin Maruhashi

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

One week, no rules, no fun. "Hall Pass" details the golden opportunity that two married men- Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis)- have to wreak havoc and enjoy themselves in any shape or form possible for a full week, and above all, these fortunate individuals have their wives' approvals. What seems to be a once in a lifetime chance is tediously squandered by a morally-abiding storyline that ruthlessly eviscerates any hopes of laughing at the mischief these two vacuously avoided. Even the events leading up to the granting of the hall pass are a torturously slow and painful wait devoid of laughter. When the long-awaited time comes, the build up of expectations for a hilarious ride back into bachelor life climaxes to a loud and noisy sigh of sheer disappointment. It is however, a difficult job to create a comedy that aims to entertain under the promise of showing the wildest seven days known to mankind while attempting to somehow squeeze in a lesson of morality here and there. But if you can vicariously derive any pleasure from quotidian activities like playing videogames, golf and eating at Applebee's with close friends then by all means this is the perfect film for it. Otherwise, save yourself the time and money and discard the hall pass.

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22 out of 40 people found the following review useful:
Mr. Wilson & Sudeikis to the Principal's Office, 25 February 2011

Author: scott mccowan from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

The Farrelly Bros have once again come out with a "GUY'S Movie. No chick flick here. Laughs from beginning to end and yes a realization who truly needed the Hall Pass.

Raunchy guy humor from beginning to end, 'Fake Chow', vagina jokes and bordering on gay stuff does (pardon the pun) arise come into play.

I cannot think of a movie I've laughed harder at in months. Debates concerning a wealthy friend's family portrait; an other buddy who's suppose to be a dating guru teaching them how to judge 10's when amongst other women were some of the things to look forward to. And why sneezing could be harmful to your maid.

Over all I found the it funny and worth either the matinée or full price to go see. And DVD worthy.

Repeating this is GUY FLICK not a chick flick so yes get ready to be grossed out at times.

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8 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
A little bit of raunch and a lot of heart..., 16 June 2011

Author: Terry Roehrig II from United States

This movie was written and directed by The Farrelly Brothers. They've done There's Something About Mary, Kingpin and Dumb & Dumber. They've actually tamed down over the past few years and started doing some movies with heart (Shallow Hal, Fever Pitch). This one is actually a cross between Mary and Hal. It's raunchy in some places but for the most part, it's got a lot of heart.

Rick (Wilson) is given a week off from marriage by his wife, Maggie (Fischer). Fred (Sudeikis) is also given a week off from marriage from his wife, Grace (Applegate). Of course, this would never happen in real life... no self-respecting woman would ever do this to herself. Since this is the movies, Maggie and Grace's reasoning behind this is... let the dogs off the leash and they'll no longer want to have affairs. It's actually pretty funny on how they both earned their hall passes in the first place. I won't say anything, you can just watch it.

The movie starts out just fine, kind of lags in the middle (Day 1 through 4 of said titular hall pass) and then picks up again near the end. Speaking of the ending, it gets a little madcap and over-the-top for my taste, I felt like I was watching an episode of Benny Hill. All they needed was the music and it would have been like a 2011 update. I felt like there was a lot more territory to explore in this premise and yes, I get that men over 40 tire out sooner, that their lives have slowed down... but still. i just felt like something was missing.

The main reason to watch Hall Pass is the comic performances by Wilson and Sudeikis and the hilarious exchange of dialog between them and their friends (Merchant, Campbell, Smoove) and some pretty funny bits about them trying to 'play out of their league'. Practically anybody could have played the wives, because Applegate and Fischer bring absolutely nothing to the party but a familiar face and name. More reviews at www.soveryterry.com Final Grade: B-

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