Peter Farrelly, known for comedy hits like “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary,” has returned to his roots with “Ricky Stanicky” after ventures into TV and drama like “Green Book” and “The Greatest Beer Run Ever.”
“Ricky Stanicky” feels like a throwback, but not in a good way. It recycles tired jokes without adding anything new or clever. With multiple writers involved, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong.
In “Ricky Stanicky,” three boys invent a fake troublemaker named Ricky to take the blame for their pranks. As adults, they still use Ricky as an excuse to escape family responsibilities. When they’re caught, they hire an actor to play Ricky, leading to comedic chaos. But the humor is overshadowed by jokes about women and racism.
“Ricky Stanicky” relies heavily on crude and juvenile humor, with jokes about masturbation and inappropriate gestures. The portrayal of characters, like an unemployed Black man contrasted with white-collar workers, feels off. Overall, it’s not my type of comedy.
Efron and Cena do their best with the material they’re given in “Ricky Stanicky.” Efron’s character, Dean, has some emotional growth moments, which he portrays earnestly. Cena fully commits to his role as Rod, portraying extreme situations with seriousness, despite the lackluster script.
While Cena’s antics and Efron’s expressions offer occasional amusement, the film’s flaws prevent sustained enjoyment. Repetitive jokes and mood-killing moments overshadow any positives. “Ricky Stanicky” is a mixed bag, at times reminding us that some childhood games should stay in the past.
