'The Out-Laws' is actually not so bad!
Netflix
Most Adam Sandler comedies don’t fail because they’re dumb; they fail because they’re mean. So it’s somewhat refreshing that “The Out-Laws” is mostly just undemanding, amusing stupidity, which used to be taken as a mild compliment back when comedy was actually a genre of movie that got made.
Granted, the concept of “The Out-Laws” seems to have stopped in development before anyone finished the idea, instead settling for, “What if a doofus bank manager thought his in-laws-to-be were bank robbers … and he was right and at all times it’s clear that he’s right?” That doofus, of course, is played by Adam Devine, and the in-laws — get it? In-laws? Out-laws? Oh how delightfully basic — are Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin, having fun without exactly getting out of a comfort zone. In fact, the characters are all pretty simple, and the direction (from Tyler Spindel of “The Wrong Missy”) often encourages big when medium would’ve done.
Oh, Nina Dobrev is the wife-to-be in a thankless part that gives her very little chance to play with the team.
So why did I enjoy this anyway? The aforementioned tone is worth repeating: “The Out-Laws” mostly avoids the judgmental streak and lowest-common-denominator insults that populate many Happy Madison productions, replacing them with a small degree of unpredictability and inspiration in the gags. The script is funny enough that it feels like the cast actually has something to work with, and you don’t feel bad for them.
That may sound like backhanded praise, but it’s also something we can’t take for granted either. With assists from Lil Rel Howery, Laci Mosely and Lauren Lapkus, plus Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty as Devine’s character’s parents, “The Out-Laws” has enough laughs and warmth that the rest doesn’t matter.
You’re not watching “The Out-Laws” for greatness, just the sort of time-passing chuckles that used to be easy to come by. And here they are again! Enjoy it.
B-
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