It all began in 1994, when, to critical dismay, “Dumb and Dumber” became a cult classic for generations who never experienced slapstick comedy.
Unfortunately, some film executive somewhere decided that it was a good idea to bring Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne back to the big screen, reviving the “Dumb and Dumber” franchise nine years later.
In a summer full of sequels, screenwriters Robert Brenner and Brian Hartt decided to take a page from “Star Wars” and create a prequel to “Dumb and Dumber.”
This prequel, “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd” plays out the dynamic duo’s first meeting, which just happens to be them crashing into each other on their way to school.
The film, which opened June 13, made $11 million in its first weekend, taking the sixth spot in the box-office ratings behind fellow weekend debut “Hollywood Homicide.”
The first film made up for what it was lacking with slapstick comedy. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels’ performances are widely regarded as one of the best adventures in a movie about nothing.
The scene is 1986, as Harry, played by Eric Christian Olsen meets home school outcast Lloyd, portrayed by Derek Richardson on his way to the first day of school.
The two immediately become an inseparable, moronic pair for the rest of the grueling 85 minutes of film, outcasts in a “cool” world dominated by punks, cheerleaders and blue jean accessories.
Fortunately for Harry and Lloyd, Principal Collins (Eugene Levy) inadvertently involves them in a plot to embezzle money from the school district.
Harry and Lloyd assemble a “Special Needs” class, a program from which the Principal and his lunch-lady lover plan to steal grant money.
High school reporter Jessica Matthews (Rachel Nichols) smells a story, and soon the plot that could have been simply isn’t.
Although Olsen and Richardson’s performances are not exactly acting, viewers will recognize most of their jokes from the previous “Dumb and Dumber” installment.
Harry claims all his flatulence and Lloyd plays with his imaginary friend, while both completely misunderstand anything remotely female. After about 30 minutes, even the overused jokes and innuendo are not enough to hold interest.
What the movie is lacking in plot, substance and viable comedy, it makes up for in its casting. Nichols, the beautiful former Abercrombie and Fitch model, makes her film debut and does so beautifully. Levy, best known for his smooth-running role as the father in teen-fueled movie franchise “American Pie,” also provides some comic relief.
Lead men Olsen and Richardson look hauntingly like their counterparts Carrey and Daniels from 1994. The relative unknowns, while imitating their characters to the letter, will have a hard time making it in Hollywood. There can only be one Carrey or Daniels.