MacGruber, he made a freaking movie. After starring in one of the greatest comedies of the 2010s, it seemed like MacGruber had faked his death for another decade, but it turned out he was just in prison. The stupid, selfish, insecure explosives expert has come a long way from stealing car stereos, and he’s finally returning to television. Everyone should be celebrating the return of the Mac. A sequel was teased periodically through the years, but Will Forte’s nagging success with Last Man on Earth prevented the co-writer and star’s recommitment to the vest and mullet. The sequel series, streaming exclusively on Peacock, reunites Forte with his co-writers John Solomon and Jorma Taccone, the latter of whom also directed the motion picture. It also reunites MacGruber with his, now ex, wife Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig), and his friend Dixon Piper (Ryan Phillippe).
MacGruber (2010) toes the line between slapstick spoof and action-comedy. The tempest of references to Saturday Night Live skits, invincible action hero pictures, and MacGuyver flow effortlessly through the comedic presentation and performances. Forte delivered an all-time great comedic performance through his physical acting and unbelievable line delivery. He bounces between cheesy action star and useless narcissist seemingly effortlessly. His facial contortions accentuate the extremity of his wackiness. From f’ing ghosts, to rippin’ throats, the film never stops pushing the boundaries of its absurdity. The endlessly quotable comedy is more than just the leading man’s exceptionally funny performance. Val Kilmer, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe, and Maya Rudolph breathe life into the dry military backdrop. The oddballs and straight played characters contribute to a picture worth more than the sum of its parts–which would already be substantial. For more absurd, hilarious, star-studded comedies, check out the curated list below.
21 Jump Street
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Writers: Michael Bacall, Jonah Hill, Patrick Hasburgh
Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle
Before Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse blew everyone’s mind, before they were replaced on Solo: A Star Wars Story, before The Lego Movie warmed hearts and built the foundation of a cinematic universe, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller surprised audiences with a funny adaptation of an '80s television series. 21 Jump Street, starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as two police officers undercover in a California high school, cracked people up with its blend of action and comedy. It’s a party up front and business in the back in this story about undercover cops trying to bust a high school drug ring. The premise could easily have slid hoaky or problematic, but the cast and writing keep the tone light and breezy. The supporting cast is stuffed with familiar faces and young talent, and it features one of Ice Cube’s funniest performances. Hill and Tatum’s chemistry and comedic timing are a delight. They’re part buddy cop, part Dumb and Dumber. It doesn’t dabble in absurdism or slapstick like some of the other movies on this list, but it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy that tees up a sequel with more to enjoy.
22 Jump Street
Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Writers: Michael Bacall, Oren Uzeil, Rodney Rothman
Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Nick Offerman, Peter Stormare, Wyatt Russell
In the spirit of sequels that subvert the formula of the progenitor—Ocean’s 12, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Aliens–22 Jump Street ups the stakes, amplifies the absurdity, and pokes fun at the franchise along the way. Hill and Tatum reunite as Schmidt and Jenko who’re tasked with infiltrating a college drug ring. The film takes a meta approach to obvious criticisms of the lead actor’s ages compared to their roles, and the unoriginality of repeating a similar story across movies. The ability of the filmmakers and cast to laugh at themselves alongside the audience is commendable. Like its predecessor, the film keeps the tone light–a hallmark of Lord and Miller’s filmography. Its self-referential nature means the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. It keeps the jokes coming right on into the credits, spoofing the creative ways Hollywood works to retell the same stories.
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
Director: Steve Oedekerk
Writers: Steve Oedekerk, Jack Bernstein
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ian McNeice, Simon Callow, Maynard Eziashi, Bob Gunten, Sophie Okonedo
After an unprecedented year in 1994–starring in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber–Jim Carrey slipped back into the Hawaiian shirt and slicked up hairdo of Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. This sequel one-ups the original in every way. It’s wackier, louder, and even more over the top. From the Cliffhanger parody in the opening down to the fade-out at the end, Ace blasts the audience over the head with cheesy, ridiculous line delivery. Carrey’s classic vocal and facial manipulation create a dynamic range of expression for Ace to exist and annoy literally everyone. Directed by Steve Oedekerk, who would go on to write and direct Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is one of the director’s first steps on his road to comedy greatness. While Oedekerk wrote several films Jim Carrey starred in, this is the only opportunity the writer/director had to direct the timeless star.
Austin Powers International Man of Mystery
Director: Jay Roach
Writer: Mike Myers
Cast: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Robert Wagner, Seth Green
In the 90s, Mike Myers ruled the world. Wayne's World 1 and Wayne's World 2, So I Married an Axe Murderer, and two Austin Powers films solidified the comedy icon as a film legend. He played to his strengths in the 007 spoof series Austin Powers, and he introduced the character in an all-time great satire. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery rocketed Austin Powers, a James Bond-type spy, from the 1960s into the 1990s, and he brought every anachronism he could with him. Myers plays both protagonist and antagonist as Austin Powers and his arch-nemesis, Dr. Evil. The “fish out of water” schtick is played to maximum effect as Powers (Mike Myers), a swinging spy from the ‘60s, attempts to navigate the social climate of America in the 1990s. Behind the bond parody and endless sex jokes lies a movie about identity and personal evolution. But at the end of the day, the film, and series, is remembered for its persistent and crass sense of humor. Like MacGruber and MacGuyver, one only needs a passing knowledge of the source material to appreciate the skewing.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Director: Jay Roch
Writers: Mike Myers, Michael McCullers
Cast: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling
Another fantastic sequel gracing the list, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is the colorful follow-up to the 1997 original, still written in part by and starring Mike Myers. The movie takes the audience back from the 1990s to the 1960s as Austin Powers chases Dr. Evil through time. Where many sequels go bigger or in a different direction, The Spy Who Shagged Me feels like a continuation of the characters and gags from the first flick. Myers strapped on some prosthetics and a kilt to play a third character in the franchise, a mercenary called Fat Bastard. It’s just a silly and tawdry as its predecessor, and it doesn’t play around too much with the time travel plot elements–even breaking the fourth wall to tell viewers to turn their brains off and enjoy the comedy spectacle rather than dissect the theoretical physics of it all. Still, the film sees a more sensitive side of Austin who is plagued by insecurity following the theft of his mojo–his virality, his verve. The kick-ass, comedic, insecure action star’s self-awareness separates him from MacGruber as a man, and as a movie star.
Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Writers: Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr., Reyn Doi, Adrian Makala
Anything goes in Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar, and nothing can be assumed. Kristen Wiig and co-star, and co-writer, Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids) turned in a quirky, heartwarming, hilarious, and wild comedy centered around two middle-aged midwest women on vacation. Spelled out, it sounds generic, but the film is more Austin Powers than it is Bad Moms. Kristen Wiig shimmers as Star and as the cheesy, pale, maniacal villain, Sharon Gordon Fisherman. Sharon’s scheme to unleash a submarine swarming with deadly mosquitos in a revenge plot against the town of Vista Del Mar fits kindly alongside Dr. Evil’s desire for sharks with freaking laser beams attached to their heads. There’s a love triangle, a nonchalant approach to sexuality, and more than one song and dance number. Annie Mumolo shines just as bright playing Barb, the widow with some self-exploration to do. She and Wiig spit out dialogue scary fast in their smooth midwest accents. Their commentary and friendship are delightful. Join Barb and Star at Vista Del Mar, or miss one of 2021’s best comedies.
Black Dynamite
Director: Scott Sanders
Writers: Michael Jai White, Byron Minns, Scott Sanders
Cast: Michael Jai White, Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson, Byron Minns, Kevin Chapman
If MacGruber didn’t exist, Black Dynamite might be the funniest movie of the 21st century. The satirical update on blaxploitation b-movies captures the look and feel of '70s grindhouse cinema while mocking it. Co-writer and star Michael Jai White whips and slays so much ass as the titular, Black Dynamite. No stranger to the leading male role–he’s freaking Spawn–White’s physicality and explosive line delivery makes Black Dynamite as fun to watch as he is to listen to. Whether he’s practicing his Kung Fu or cleaning up the streets, he’s entertaining as hell. Black Dynamite crafts an entire world populated by intriguing characters. There’s little wonder why the movies spawned an anime prequel series following Black Dynamite, Bullhorn, Cream Corn, and Honeybee. The film is endlessly entertaining and jam-packed with jokes and visual gags that pile over one another, layer over layer, like a comedy cake. The worst thing about Black Dynamite is that we still haven’t gotten a sequel.
Hot Rod
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Writer: Pam Brady
Cast: Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Ian McShane
Starring Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone–the director and one of the writers of MacGruber the movie, series, and planned sequel picture–as brothers bent on raising enough money for their step-father’s heart operation, Hot Rod is hilarious. With a robust supporting cast including Will Arnett, Chris Parnell, and Sissy Spacek alongside the already listed cast, the movie arrived as an instant classic. Rod (Andy Samberg) is raising money to fix his stepdad’s heart so that he can try and kick his ass once he’s healthy. He sells tickets, rents his time, and accepts tips for stunting. It’s charming and ridiculous watching his crew design small-scale ways for Rod to hurt himself for a few bucks. The movie offers several avenues for humor outside of the pure schadenfreude of watching Rod hurt himself. Its creative use of editing creates a couple of the best bits in the film. All of that to say, Hot Rod has layers. It’s one of the best comedies of the 2000s era, and it's no surprise almost everyone in the movie has ventured towards continued success.
Hot Shots!
Director: Jim Abrahams
Writers: Jim Abrahams, Pat Proft
Cast: Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, Valeria Golino, Llyod Bridges, Kevin Dunn, Jon Cryer
By 1991, it was an honor to be spoofed by Jim Abrahams and Pat Proft. Hot Shots! pokes fun at the late, great Tony Scott’s Top Gun. Starring Charlie Sheen, Cary Elwes, and a bunch of folks from Seinfeld, Hot Shots! Is a '90s treasure. Like a few of the parodies on this list, familiarity with the source material enriches the experience, but the slapstick goofs endemic to an Abrahams comedies are all on display. The movie mocks more than Tony Scott’s classic, it mocks the military et al. The big-budget comedy is the first pairing of the Two And A Half Men duo of Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer. Given the writer and director as well as the source material, is surprising Val Kilmer doesn’t pop in with a wink and a nod in this absurd hit.
The Interview
Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogan
Writers: Dan Sterling, Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogan
Cast: James Franco, Seth Rogan, Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan, Diana Bang, Timothy Simons
The Interview is one of several delightful productions by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogan. While Rogan is a comedy legend by this point, the two were instrumental in the TV adaptations of Preacher and The Boys by Garth Ennis. Before they struck success producing TV adaptations of graphic novels, the two teamed up for a few awesome comedies including 50/50, This Is the End, Neighbors, and The Interview. In The Interview, Rogan is the producer of a widely circulated entertainment talk show hosted by Dave Skylark (James Franco). They land an interview with the supreme leader of North Korea, the authoritarian Kim Jong-un (Randall Park). Skylark and his producer are recruited by the CIA to assassinate Kim. It’s over the top, just completely ridiculous, but the movie is injected with energy thanks to the obvious fun the cast–and hopefully crew–had making the movie. It’s one of the last Rogan and Franco pictures, due to allegations and legal trouble surrounding Franco, so enjoy their electric dynamic one last time in this absurd picture.