2016’s second raunchy cartoon feature may not have quite the blockbuster cast and studio power as its Seth Rogen-starring competitor (Sausage Party), but Nerdland has a few things going for it. Paul Rudd and Patton Oswalt are both typically reliable, if not outright hilarious headliners, with support voicework from Hannibal Buress and Mike Judge. Chris Prynoski sat in the director's chair with backing from Titmouse, the studio he founded to produce projects like Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse. Nerdland was even penned by the writer of David Fincher’s Seven -- Andrew Kevin Walker. All of these elements paired with a potentially thought-provoking premise had expectations running high.
But Nerdland fails to deliver thanks to an excess of cheap, throwaway jokes that overshadow a subtle examination of pop culture’s obsession with celebrity fame. In-your-face animation paired with raunchy bathroom humor make the viewing experience nearly cringeworthy. Granted, Rudd, Oswalt and a plethora of comedians have utilized sophomoric humor from time to time, and it can occasionally be funny, but an entire movie depending on it wears on you.
Part of the problem falls on the protagonists. Rudd and Oswalt voice two roommates with all-too-common dreams of breaking into Hollywood. John (Rudd) is a failed-to-launch actor and Elliot (Oswalt) is a wannabe screenwriter with no work ethic. There are no redeeming qualities to either of them, except for the fact that they have just enough of a moral compass to resist murdering someone (which they seriously consider doing to achieve fame). Other than that, John and Elliot are simply lazy, superficial people who don’t offer a single reason to root for them throughout the movie. Obviously, Nerdland is a satire meant to mock the Kim Kardashians of the world, but if the filmmakers want us to stick around there needs to be some reason to care about either of these people.
The whole movie is essentially one ridiculous attempt after the next to magically become instantly famous ahead of their 30th birthdays. The pressure to make something of yourself before a milestone moment is certainly understandable, but the methods in which John and Elliot attempt to do so are utterly maddening. Nerdland’s structure is simply try something stupid, fail, and then try to do something stupider for even longer. Episodic failure after failure is not enough to entertain an audience for 90 minutes.
Nerdland could’ve been a clever social commentary, but instead is reduced to a collage of corny jokes. The animation, though occasionally cool, is mostly jarring. It’s interesting to ponder what this film would be like if, say, Mike Judge switched roles with Prynoski and was in charge. The premise has lots to say but isn’t executed in the appropriate matter. And lastly… where are the Nerds in Nerdland? Nerds do not equate to losers anymore, guys.
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