by John Bizub, Contributing Writer
One of the most unique genres to grace the silver screen is public prank comedy. Many films try to make themselves big and over-the-top but do not have the ability to create thoughtful and clever gags while doing it. Bad Trip is the newest in this genre and stars Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish. It follows two friends (Andre and Howery) as they embark on a journey to New York City and the craziness they encounter along the way.
While I do think it is a fun time, I had some issues with Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. The film does have some great laughs and performances, but give it a few years and almost all of the humor will feel dated and only will be relevant to those who lived in 2020. That cannot be said to Bad Trip, a film that will still bring a laugh out of me after a second watch. This film is one of the best comedies released in a very long time and I couldn’t imagine another topping it. Andre and Howery are fantastic here, both bringing very committed and hilarious performances. The humor lands so perfectly that it feels like a breath of fresh air for the genre, especially for fans of the Jackass films. This film shows that Andre is a force to be reckoned with in terms of comedic chops, and fans of his will always be anticipating what he does next. Sure, the story and script fall into the traditional cliches that the genre is known for, but its direction is very sharp and glosses over it at times
Bad Trip was a genuine surprise; it is hilarious, well-made, and all around a good time. Let’s hope Netflix plays a theatrical run of this film in the future because it would work like gangbusters with a crowd.
Grade: A-