Proof positive that lightening doesn't strike the same place twice. This Judd Apatow-produced sibling rivalry (his name wit large across almost every comedy out there at the moment, at least so it feels) dared to re-team the talents of Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly and director Adam McKay and was quite content to sit back and watch the fireworks fly once more. This troika's success on the hilarious \"Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby\", was enough to convince all involved to get these guys around a table once more to spit ball some ideas. The one that came out on top was \"Step Brothers\" - a mixed bag of a comedy if one was being honest. \"Step Brothers\" can be, at times, outright hilarious but the strategy employed is too slap-dash. It's as if Ferrell and co. are just throwing out ideas and hoping at least 1\/10th sticks, which it does but we've become accustomed to a little more from Ferrell's patented brand of surreal comedy. The plot, as you might have inferred from the title, is wafer thin. Two single parents Robert (Richard Jenkins) and Nancy (Mary Steenburgen) get it on in double-quick fashion at a Medical Convention - a brief respite from having to pander to their live-at-home, 40 year-old sons Dale (Reilly) and Brennan (Ferrell) respectively. Just putting aside the fact that the age gap between Steenburgen and Ferrell must be as thin as this contrivance, you find yourself just accepting it and hoping for some more Ferrell vs. Reilly shenanigans. And there's not too long to wait before the two are wrestling on the front lawn after Brennan's testicular region grew far too familiar with Dale's cherished drum kit. That's just a taste of what you can expect from McKay's dysfunctional family. As expected the two find some common ground, namely Brennan's uber-obnoxious brother Derrick (Adam Scott), and soon become best buds with the dream of starting up 'Prestige Entertainment' - a wannabe catch-all company ranging from artist management to security (consisting of the pair yielding a Seeing Eye Dog and wearing very tight shorts). \"Step Brothers\" just about keeps your interest through Ferrell and Reilly's easy pairing but there are the odd uneasy moments, specifically when the parents discuss their retirement plans. The promise of escaping on a world cruise drives a wedge between the pair and their squirming about the fates of the Man-Child duo of Dale and Brennan is actually a little cringe-worthy and hard to watch. Such moments of pathos feel wholly out of place when Ferrell is cranked and ready to go and Reilly is on Bonkers Crazy Standby mode. So not the best showcase for Ferrell and Reilly's talents but this has enough laugh-out-loud moments to make you forgive its flaws.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>","fnc":"googleTrackerHelper.doTrackPage( '\/'Step-Brothers-film_options~20787'\/Reviews\/ViewAll\/1' );"}