The plot starts with four boys who do what boys do… play. As they grow older, they grow apart and move their separate ways, but their friendships remain. One day, tragedy strikes as one of the four friends is killed. As the three remaining friends gather to mourn the loss of their fourth pal, they find a treasure map.
In the spirit of their recently deceased friend, and to honor his memory, the three surviving friends decide to go on an adventure through the woods. With the promise of a $200,000 treasure from a lost airplane hijacker and the feeling of responsibility to honor their dead friend, the three men set out on a river adventure despite inexperience and risk. What follows is amazing fun, and will leave you sore in the sides from laughing.
I’ve read a few reviews about this movie, as it originally came out on DVD after its 2004 release. Many reviewers knock it as a cheap comedy that leans heavily on bathroom humor and MTV talent. I could NOT disagree more. Is there cheap bathroom humor? Absolutely! There is one scene involving some bagged waste that nearly made me cry laughing. The thing is, Without a Paddle is not just about those kinds of jokes.
The real draw to this film is the brotherhood you feel. Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, and Dax Shepard all three do a fantastic job of portraying different characters that closely resemble people you might have grown up with. The dynamics between friends allow for bathroom humor, as any group of boys will surely rely on the same types of references when casually joking in real life. To omit these sorts of jabs is to deny the very nature of this film, so these surface level criticisms are probably done by someone who just can’t relate to the film on the level that many can.
Aside from the jabs between friends, we are also treated to some downright witty dialogue. This film benefits from multiple viewings, because a lot is missed the first go around if you laugh as hard as I did. There is a couple of pot growing rednecks that are stereotypically dumb, but make some very interesting and educated commentaries at times. The contradiction of stereotype to dialogue is witty and well placed. The small remarks between the three friends are also witty, and all three lead characters demonstrate great comedic timing throughout the whole film!
While some of the scenarios the boys are thrust into are unlikely, and some of the scenes with a bear are a little hokey… overall I loved this film. I think it is as close to a modern day “Goonies” as we’ve seen in cinema, and I’d recommend it to any of my friends.
The Blu Ray experience was quite well done. The clearer picture and surround sound really added to the overall experience. The special features were run of the mill. These include:
- Commentary by Director Steven Brill
- MTV’s Making the Movie: Without a Paddle
- 13 Additional Scenes with Optional Director Commentary
- 6 MTV Interstitials
- Theatrical Trailer HD
