The Button Down Blog

A slight break in purpose today. Reno 911!: Miami isn’t important or influential. It’s simply a movie that I was looking forward to, and since I’ve got this blog thing sitting here collecting dust I figure I might as well give my opinion of it.

First of all, I love the TV show Reno 911! almost as much as I love Little Debbie Marshmallow Supremes. For the uninitiated, Reno 911! is an improv comedy show produced by three members of The State. The basic gist is that it’s COPS except with really, really, really bad cops. My telling it isn’t going to help you too much, so do yourself a favor and get the first season on DVD. It’s very good.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the movie. So much is lost in the transition from TV to film. The direct parody of COPS is lost (though they did get to use the theme song at one point), leading to a somewhat odd movie, trying for a vérité look and feel, but also wanting to look like a big motion picture. Secondly, instead of feeling natural as in the show, the interaction between the officers and the perps seems distracted. Perhaps the problem is that the short bits of improv were fighting for screen time with the plot. Robert Ben Garant (Travis Junior, right) is listed as director of the film, but I really can’t blame him for its faults. I think this is just a case of having the right idea in the wrong medium.

That’s not to say that there aren’t good things about the movie. There are lots of cameos and guest stars, including every member of The State, which is pretty cool. They also got Danny DeVito, The Rock, Paul Reubens, Paul Rudd, Patton Oswalt, Mindy Sterling, and a whole truckload of semi-regulars from the series. Ooh! One of the DVD extras is a long uncut bit between Mindy Sterling and Patton Oswalt. Make sure you watch that. It’s great stuff.

The major players were masterful as usual. In fact, that may be part of the problem; the movie feels too much like the series. I’d suggest starting with the TV series and catching the DVD if it’s your cuppa tea. In the end, the movie is okay, but only if you’re a fan of the show.

Before I close up, I’d like to talk a little about a certain Ms. Kerry Kenney-Silver. For my money, any scene with her is one to watch over and over. Her comic timing is second to none, and she’s willing to do ANYTHING for a laugh. Her scenes are always at the top of my list of favorites. She is, in short, faaaabulous.

Exhibit A is Season 1, episode 109. That’s the one where Officer Trudy Weigel (Kenney) tries to commit suicide. Except . . . not. Among other things, this episode sees her milk the resulting suicide watch so Dangle will spoon her, marvel at plastic pearls while investigating the break in of a craft store, and tell her Mom how nice everybody’s treating her. (That last part is a lot creepier than it sounds.)

Exhibit B is the following video. This is one of four promos presented as real Public Service Announcements before movies that were out right before Reno 911!: Miami. They’re all included on the DVD (unrated version). I firmly believe that this one should play before every movie, or at least the ones rated PG13 or higher.

(Language warning! Headphones on, cube dwellers!)

Now come on. Tell me that’s not the work of a genius.