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Your Highness (2011)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

13 reviews

Synopsis

The director – David Gordon Green – and two of the stars – James Franco and Danny McBride – of 2008’s bonkers, bong-smoking action comedy ‘Pineapple Express’ reunite for this loopy knockabout cod-medieval romp.

Movie review

From Time Out London

‘How sweet to be an idiot…’ These words, sung by Neil Innes back in 1973, could be embroidered, framed and hung on the wall of every Hollywood executive: in the twenty-first century, idiocy isn’t just sweet, it sells. But is that such a bad thing?

A tale of swords, sorcery and getting seriously stoned, ‘Your Highness’ isn’t going to enrich the inner lives of its audience – in fact, you can almost hear your brain cells groaning as you watch it. But the film’s sense of boundless, romping enthusiasm, and the joy it takes in its own wilful stupidity, are so infectious that it’s hard not to get swept along.

Finally granted a lead role following the Stateside success of his HBO sitcom ‘Eastbound and Down’, writer-star Danny McBride plays Thadeous. the layabout son of a great medieval royal house whose elder brother Fabious (James Franco) does all the mighty deeds and claims all the glory. But when Fabious’s blushing bride-to-be Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) is kidnapped by a horny warlord, his father King Tallious (Charles Dance) insists that both his sons join the obligatory rescue quest. All that stands in their way are a paedophile wizard, a well-hung minotaur and Natalie Portman in a thong.

The most remarkable thing about ‘Your Highness’ is how a film so unashamedly ridiculous managed to attract such a spectacular cast: in addition to two of this year’s Oscar nominees, we’re treated to ripe turns from homegrown character-acting greats like Damian Lewis and Toby Jones. With McBride and Franco trying on knowingly bad Brit accents and the entire cast clearly having a whale of a time, the impression is of the world’s daftest, priciest, least self-serious end-of-the-pier panto. And where’s the harm in that?

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2121: 14 - 20 April, 2011

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User reviews of this film

Lizzy said...

Posted on Nov 29 2011 00:06 After reading so many bad reviews I expected the worst and refused to see this film despite my incredulity at Portman and Franco's involvement. But, after a few of my friends said they enjoyed it, I gave it a go and I completely agree with this review: it was a really good piece of comedy! Yes, it was demential and silly, but part of the charm was seeing such an outstanding cast playing hideously over the top characters and delivering these dirty lines- the usually demure Dechanel mentioning 'cervix?' who'd have thought! It was pure entertainment with engaging dialogue, great scenography and some eye candy! There are by far worse "comedy" movies around (Cameron Diaz, I'm looking at you!) this isn't the best, nor it is intellectual but still on some level interesting (conceiving a dragon..wtf?) I'm shocked at the amount of disgust directed at it. It may not be for everyone but boring? Live a little!

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DV said...

Posted on Apr 28 2011 21:56 Truly awful film. How did it ever get made? Bribery is the only explanation. Tittered 3 times only. what was your reviewer on?

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ed said...

Posted on Apr 26 2011 09:11 Where were the jokes? it raised a few smiles, but mostly this is a missed opportunity. I cannot believe this is from the same team that gave us GEORGE WASHINGTON. Are directing gigs really so hard to find these days? I love comedy but this was woefully unfunny for the most part. FIle with NACHO LIBRE or TROPIC THUNDER....idea looks great on paper, crap in practice. Find a gag writer...!

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Chuck said...

Posted on Apr 25 2011 07:24 Set in medieval times but they cussing up a storm it was funny. Boobies too

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Matt_77_ said...

Posted on Apr 22 2011 02:06 Totally puerile, totally awesome.
If you loved The Hangover and Paul and can tolerate films about knights and wizards, you'll probably like this. Personally I could have given it 5 stars but it's not quite as amazing as The Hangover, so I guess it gets 4. Replete with ridiculously retarded jokes about penises and perverts, but genuinely funny. This is not some stupid piece of turd like Dance Movie. This is actual comedy genius. Just of the utterly juvenile, childish variety.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Apr 19 2011 21:20 By far the worst film I have seen so far this year McBride is lucky to be anywhere near a camera lens. He is an objectionable oaf .. at best. Shockingly bad. No effing stars for this crud.

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critique said...

Posted on Apr 18 2011 13:53 Fun romp, nicely filmed.

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Sue said...

Posted on Apr 18 2011 13:35 Dont waste your time!!! I've never felt the urge to comment on a film before but this one left me no choice! Utter trash, not funny, boring, childish, bad acting, the only good thing (according to my boyfriend) was Natalie Portman and now he finds out even her bum wasnt real!!!!

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Ian said...

Posted on Apr 17 2011 10:32 Plenty of nob gags and puerile references. Its funny in a silly way but not that funny. Pineapple Express was much better and funnier. Oh and the Sun ruined the Natalie Portman water strip. Apparently the bent over bottom wasn't hers etither but s body doubles. Hoped it would be a 3 star movie. Really only a 2 star. Worth seeing if there really isn't anything else better on. Just.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Apr 16 2011 22:22 Well said Jim. Saw it with a 3rd full house this afternoon and punters were screaming with genuine laughter. What a bunch of plebs? NO, what a bunch of normal people! Well done T.O....and "penis" to Jim and Scotty!

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Jim said...

Posted on Apr 16 2011 21:26 Me and my girlfriend went to watch this on friday... i'm fed up of reading bad reviews. We thought it was excellent and most of the cinema were cracking up. Purile = yes. Immature = yes. Cock jokes = yes BUT c'mon - no one should go expecting it to win an oscar. It was brilliant escapism after a tough week at work. Left us both laughing on our way out and feeling jovial.
In this cynical world it appears to me that a film needs to be thought provoking and depressing to be well received - IS IT NOT ENOUGH TO JUST BE ENTERTAINING? Highly recommended - just go with the right attitude and expectations.

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John said...

Posted on Apr 16 2011 12:14 This film is a disaster. It is vulgar, unfunny, and boring. It's a failed parody of swords and sorcerers films. All jokes are are based on the idea that it's enough to say "penis" to make the audience laugh. The plot is lame at best. "Special effects" are on the level of some 70s TV show. Only a brain dead would enjoy this film.

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scotty said...

Posted on Apr 14 2011 18:48 Obviously the reviewer didn't really watch this movie. This movie was plodding, unfunny, boring, poorly edited, and most of all IT WOULDN'T BE QUIET FOR 10 SECONDS! To be obnoxious and boring is a rare feat.

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