‘Bad Grandpa’ delivers ‘laugh-out-loud’ pranks

By Marissa Martinez

Ranger Reporter

 

Bad Grandpa is a hidden-camera comedy that was directed and written by the makers of hit TV show, Jackass.

Though I never was a true fan of the MTV show or Jackass movies, I found myself truly enjoying this production. I was ready to be unsatisfied and instead, it was the opposite.

The previews made this movie something for me to anticipate watching. When you see previews for a movie, they create great expectations for the actual film, but you just end up being disappointed.

That was not the case with Bad Grandpa. Jeff Tremaine outdid himself with this story of a grandfather traveling across the country with his grandson.

Johnny Knoxville’s true self is brought out as Grandpa, Irving Zisman. He is hysterical. Inappropriate, but hysterical nonetheless. He plays a wildly flirtatious and filter-less man who seems to hit on just about every female he comes across.

Jackson Nicoll is impressive as Billy. He is the grandson being pushed around from person to person when he just wants to do one thing. He is convincing, and his innocence makes all the scenes so much funnier. As a child, he does a great job. I thought he was even part of the hidden-camera situation going on in the movie.

I had no idea it was a true hidden-camera comedy, playing pranks on real, average people, until I actually watched it. The storyline behind this movie actually isn’t bad. If put into a serious or true scripted comedy, it still would be a good film, but watching the true reactions of people from different areas are what really got me to laugh hard.

The facial expressions people make when they are being surprised or are shocked by something are priceless. The reactions of those people brought out genuine laughs from everyone watching this movie.

Aside from the few actors in this film, Bad Grandpa’s cast consists mainly of the people the main characters come across in their journey. I had quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, along with chuckles, throughout the movie.

Bad Grandpa is rated R, so it isn’t suitable for children. Adults with a great and open sense of humor are likely to think it’s a riot. I definitely recommend this movie. Ninety-two minutes of Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll definitely is not a waste of time.