How do movies this bad get made? HOW? Makes no sense.
Why was this movie made?
It had been FIVE (5!) years since 'Bruce Almighty', which was already a nonsensical, typical hollyweird 'romance trumps everything'-style Jim Carrey vehicle, in the era, where Jennifer Aniston installed herself into all kinds of weird movies that became big hits, but where she could've been replaced by pretty much any competent actress.
Steve Carell was already doing third season of The Office by the time this movie was made, Gordon Freeman had aged visibly, the idea (such as it was), wasn't fresh anymore, and this oboe-filled hell of a visual torture just boggles the mind; WHY was this made?
Was it because Steve was still a an unknown small potato in the previous movie, but with The Office, had become a 'superstar' of sorts, and wanted to prove he can do other roles than just Michael Scott, and that he would've been just as good in this particular roles as Jim Carrey was?
Was this movie and Steve's approval and appearance in it done by the devil seducing him with empty promises and stroking his ego, until he got excited enough to forget that he should've checked the script first?
Let's face it, Steve is no Carrey. No one could replace Steve in 'The Office', he is the PERFECT Michael Scott that I love so much as a character; Michael is innocent (his best quality in my opinion), honest, straightforward and well-meaning (his second-best quality).
Sure, he makes mistakes, he's ignorant, he's downright 'rude' (which is so refreshing to see, especially these days), he makes really bad decisions, he has quite a childish personality sometimes, his ego is bruised easily and he gives temper tantrums and hates Toby illogically.
He has so many redeeming qualities, though, that the viewer forgives him. Michael has a genuinely good heart, so even when he says 'incredibly racistic things', no one minds, because everyone realizes he's not doing it to be a djck, it's more that he doesn't know better (though a man in his position should, of course, but hey, it's a comedy).
Now, the character, whose name I only remember because of another movie, is NOTHING like Michael Scott. He's not as wacky, he's not as interesting, he doesn't have the innocense, he doesn't say 'shocking' things, and the movie is CONSTANTLY halted to a stop by the 'oboe music family scenes' that serve no purpose and do nothing for anyone..
(Just as a sidenote - God (pun intended), how I HATE oboe! That's probably just me, but that grating, unchanging, straight, soul-drilling sound is like a neverending punch that hurts constantly, AUUGGH! Why couldn't the Divine Creator use a bit more interesting instrument or less clichéic story in His movie?! Sorry, I know I am confusing things, but this movie makes you crazy that way)
I saw this movie in a bargain bin - first I saw Steve Carell, then Morgan Freeman, then the title, and was very confused - is this some Bruce Almighty documentary or what? Surely no one was stupid enough to make a spin-off movie of an insignifigant (though funny) character from Bruce Almighty, even IF the star is Steve Carell?
I wondered why I had never heard of this 'sequel/spin-off', but I know the reason now.
I haven't even watched the movie fully yet, and I am already convinced it can't offer me ANYTHING watchable. Look, I didn't like Bruce Almighty, but at least it started with a bang, brought interesting characters immediately (the chef and the too-honest old woman), had a relatively interesting plot with the 'audience is allowed to know things the main character doesn't'-gimmick that worked for the movie, a lot of passion in the main character, somewhat relatable story and so on.
This movie.. it's like someone thought it was a good idea (I can't wrap my head around ANYONE thinking ANYTHING about this movie was a good idea on ANY level) to make a mish-mash of Santa Clause, Liar Liar (look at the 'we're not going, are we?'-scene and tell me this movie didn't rip it off), Bruce Almighty and destroy any rule the previous movie established, and didn't realize how BAD a movie it woudl make.
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This stupid character limitation in this inferior chat board (compared to what IMBd board was) STILL isn't removed, and it's 2023. Sigh.
So I wanted to create a pastebin-entry, but 'it detected offensive material' (damn, can't you write anything anywhere anymore?! Internet should start supporting freedom of speech already!), so I created this other site-entry, which required a title, but didn't allow a question mark in it.. groan.
https://pastes.io/zc5kx4gsup
You can find my WHOLE post there, because I am sick of trying to cut my posts perfectly to five parts that conform to the limitations of moviechat's 'great idea' of limiting character amount per post.. WHY char limitations in 2023?! WHY?!