The Campaign

Will Ferrell's filmography runs the gamut of comedy, from side-splitting highs to cringe-worthy unfunny lows, and everything in between. Today's movie is neither a comedy classic nor offensively bad, it's 2012's The Campaign. 

The movie, if you've never seen it, is about an unscrupulous North Carolina Congressman named Cam Brady (played by Ferrell) who thinks he's going to run unopposed for a fifth term in office. That is until, just weeks before the election, some corrupt businessmen convince the town's local tourism director Marty Huggins (played by Zach Galifianakis) to run against Brady. From there the movie becomes a series over-the-top dirty tricks and political mud-slinging. While on the surface a political-satire about the lengths politicians will go to in order to get elected is a fun idea, this movie doesn't contain enough clever material to really stick the landing. It's a bit of a shame because I do like the two leads and there are some jokes scattered throughout the film that I do think are legitimately funny. However, I feel like enjoyment of the film relies a bit too heavily on the viewer thinking Zach Galifianakis playing an awkward guy with a  funny voice and Will Ferrell yelling like spoiled child is hilarious. 

This is one of those movies I'll often cite as an example of being 'close to good'. It's a perfectly watchable piece of entertainment but, with a slightly smarter script and better directing this could've been a really good comedy. 
Although I wouldn't recommend the movie to anyone, if you're just in the mood to kick back and watch an hour and a half of pure buffoonery, The Campaign will get the job done.
2 out of 5