The masterminds who brought us the contemporary classic “Pineapple Express” three years ago are back with an epic take on medieval quests and shenanigans. Oh wait… This is a review of “Your Highness,” the latest immature stoner flick starring Danny McBride. In that case, screw the praise; let’s talk about the juvenile douchebaggery that runs rampant in a movie that teases to be a clambake, but merely offers an amusing comedic high.
In the film, McBride (“Due Date”) stars as Prince Thadeous, a spoiled loser, second in line to the thrown. With his brother Fabious (James Franco, “127 Hours”) fills the role of the gallant and bold king-to-be, Thadeous makes a living off smoking the finest herbs, harassing his girlish servant Courtney (feature film newcomer, Rasmus Hardiker), and mastering an alternate form of sword play. When Fabious’ bride-to-be (Zooey Deschanel, “(500) Days of Summer”) is kidnapped by the evil sorcerer Leezar (Justin Theroux, “Megamind”), Thadeous is forced to accompany his brother on the quest to save the virginal princess before Leezar deflowers not only her, but their entire kingdom.
Enthusiasts of cinematic toker tales rejoice: director David Gordon Green’s second drug-filled effort is built specifically to entertain those who are easily pleased. Bringing little to no depth to a plot that can best be described as “Merlin: Up in Smoke,” “Your Highness” contradicts its impressive special effects budget with the shallowest dialogue imaginable.
Ben Best’s and McBride’s script is your everyday Old English jargon, highlighted by profanity at the end of each sentence. If someone isn’t proclaiming “shit” at the end of a dialogue, it’s most likely because he or she had already discussed sodomy or burning beavers a few moments earlier. As entertaining as this may be – especially conversations about Leezar’s commencement of “The Fuckening” – repetition does not work in this film’s favor.
Quite comfortable in their roles, Franco and McBride play the pretty-boy and deadbeat with honor. With every swoosh of his hair, the failed Oscar host dashingly slays every foe and cheeses up lines with that shit-eating grin. Then there’s the whiny McBride, who clumsily find his way through fights with giant hydras, elaborate labyrinths and awkward moments with traveling companion/warrior Isabel (Natalie Portman, “No Strings Attached”). That doesn’t mean his ego isn’t the size of the Minotaur’s penis (disturbingly large), he castrates along the quest’s way.
The supporting cast induces plenty of laughs through ridiculous one-liners, but fails to leave any impression along the way. Portman and Deschanel do sexy and cute, respectively, as well as any actresses out there and Theroux’s turn as the stubbornly villainous Leezar, is as entertainingly clichéd as they come.
Never-the-less, “Your Highness” delivers on the lowest of expectations by stoner genre standards. The plot-twists and jokes are by the numbers and the obvious effort to create comedic adventure of such grandeur scale is admirable… kinda. In the end, the film, like the act of dope-smoking itself, is more than likely to leave you giddily craving something more.
C+
