Impractical Jokers: The Movie

Impractical Jokers: The Movie

Starring Brian "Q" Quinn, Joe Gatto, James "Murr" Murray, Sal Vulcano

Directed by Chris Henchy

It's not uncommon for a television series to transcend to the big screen to offer something that's longer, bigger, and oftentimes uncut (looking at you "South Park") because they don't have the restraints of television and are able to fully explore the possibilities of their shows.  One example of this is 2007's "The Simpsons Movie," which is basically a very elongated episode of the classic animated series, but also included moments that were not suitable for television.  The movie even opened with a self-defecating moment as the family is watching "The Itchy & Scratchy Movie" at the theater, and Homer stands up and says, "I can't believe we're paying to see something we get on TV for free.  If you ask me, everybody in this theater is a giant sucker, especially YOU!" (as he points to the screen).  TruTV's "Impractical Jokers" could've made the same joke at the opening of their big-screen debut, but unlike "The Simpsons Movie," this basically was just one long episode of the series with one F-bomb thrown in, along with a haphazard way to tie in the different pranks together which proves that these four friends are best at pulling pranks on one another, but terrible at actually scripted material.

Twenty-five years ago, lifelong friends Q Quinn, Joe Gatto, Murr Murray and Sal Vulcano decide to attend a Paula Abdul concert, but don't have tickets to get inside - so they pose as security guards, resulting in a huge mess of a night and Abdul promising vengeance.  Now the four men are well-known for being the Impractical Jokers, and while eating at Red Lobster they discover Paula Abdul also eating there, but she only recognizes them as the Jokers, and invites them to a party she's having in Miami - but she only gives them three passes.  They decide to hold a series of pranks as they drive from New York to Miami, with the loser missing out on the party.

What I Liked:
The show has been a staple of the TruTV network (formerly known as Crime TV, but obviously they've strayed far from their roots) and episodes are pretty much on a twenty-four hour loop on the network, but each time you can't help but laugh at the antics these four men do.  They're not particularly intelligent in their humor, but you can't deny that it's hilarious.  This jovial spirit continues with the film, as there's several pranks the men pull on one another (and their unsuspecting marks) that are gut-rolling in their hilarity.  The pranks themselves lead to several totally laugh out loud moments - from inappropriate eulogy readings to the worst job interviews ever, there's no prank that fell flat and resulted in silence.

The comradere between these four men is unmistakable.  Unlike other comedy teams that form out of convenience, money, or fame, these men have been lifelong friends and decided to form the Impractical Jokers to make fun of one another in a kidding, friendly way.  Their natural chemistry is undeniable, and they enjoy knocking on one another.  There's no hidden malice or jealousy, but rather good old natural comedy.

There are some big-name cameos in the film that are downright priceless (other than Paula Abdul), and you'll have to see it to fully appreciate it.

What I Didn't Like:The movie itself didn't need to be made, as it was just a bunch of pranks strung together in a narrative as thin as piano wire.  The framing device about the men going to a Paula Abdul party twenty-five years after screwing it up before appears out of nowhere, and doesn't really lend to the believably of actually having a full-length movie.

The framing device doesn't really pan out, as the friends are much better at impromptu performances than scripted, trying to bring some sense of drama to the film but really falling flat, and serving as the only non-funny moments of the film.

Paula Abdul herself seems very out of place here, and she herself doesn't seem sure about her role in the film.  She tries too hard to be funny, and really falls on her face (if only it happened literally).

There's no need to pay to see this film, as it'll easily be added to the daily rotation of the show on TrueTV in a few months.

Overall:While providing the same type of humor the men are known for, "Impractical Jokers: The Movie" highlights their assets but is basically just a longer episode that you'll be able to see for free on the network in a few months.

The Score: B