Brothers (2024), directed by Max Barbakow, stars Peter Dinklage, Josh Brolin, Brendan Fraser, Glenn Close, M. Emmet Walsh, Taylour Paige, and Gralen Bryant Banks. The film follows Jady (Dinklage) and Moke (Brolin), twin brothers raised to be criminals by their mother, Cath (Close). Before going on the run after a jewel heist goes awry, Cath tells the boys that they must look out for one another. Years later, Moke is on the verge of starting a family while Jady is about to finish a prison sentence. The thing is, Jady is only released so early because Farful (Fraser), the prison’s corrupt warden, blackmails him into turning over the jewels his mom stole all those years ago. With nowhere to turn, Jady enlists the help of a reluctant Moke to find their mother and the jewels before it’s too late.

The cast of A-list actors are often entertaining in terms of the energy they provide, so it’s a shame they’re stuck in what’s essentially a less funny version of a Happy Madison comedy. There’s some good comedic chemistry between the two brothers, and Fraser is delightfully unhinged in his performance, but the comedy just doesn’t work. For example, the script’s idea of a punchline is often just a couple of enthusiastic F-words after something zany occurs. On top of this, it features some cringe-worthy, low-brow humor such as a sequence where a character is sexually assaulted by an organotang. It’s often just a dumb, goofy, juvenile, and weird viewing experience that feels like a waste of its A-list cast. All this being said, it does have a bit of merit in the sense that it’s often a wildly random and unapologetic experience. This energy allows the movie to fly by even if the viewer is constantly cringing and rolling their eyes. Regardless of how one feels about the overall experience, it avoids overstaying its welcome due to the swift 89-minute runtime.     

The script features an annoying voiceover that fails to be funny as well as provide proper exposition (the latter being the least it should provide). They often use the voiceover to tell the audience what the characters think and feel instead of showing it through actions. It also doesn’t help that there seems to be zero interest in providing any character development. This would be a problem in any script, but it hurts this movie more considering that they’re criminals who never see the error of their ways or even learn some kind of lesson. If the characters weren’t so over-the-top, they’d be painfully unlikeable to the point of frustration. 

Overall, this is a forgettably stupid comedy that’s only somewhat redeemed by its energetic cast and slight stoner comedy appeal. This is a highly disappointing follow-up to director Max Barbakow’s previous film, Palm Springs (2020). I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it reminds me of a less-funny version of the stoner comedy cult classic, Grandma’s Boy (2006). It’s constantly unfunny, juvenile, and crass – featuring countless moments that just plain don’t work. At least it tells a coherent story that goes by quickly. I disliked this movie quite a bit, but I think a portion of that comes down to personal taste as opposed to objective criticisms. If you like what many would consider to be a “dumb comedy,” you could give this one a chance. Everyone else should steer clear. C-