The Campaign (2012)
2012
R
85 Minutes
Two rival politicians compete to win an election to represent their small North Carolina congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
User Review
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The Campaign shall not be receiving my vote. The border between satire and parody is dependent on the intelligence of its comedy. Sneering at the American electoral process by hyperbolising the fabrications that the candidates constantly blurt out? Satire. Punching the faces of a frickin' baby and dog in slow motion? Spoof. This election unfortunately relied heavily on generic, unfunny and forgettable comedy that neither took aim at politics or genuinely entertained. Probably making the likes of the Trump administration and, something a bit closer to home, Brexit far more hilarious and engrossing. Two candidates battle it out to be the next congressman for North Carolina, equipped with dirty tactics and exaggerated accents.
When you plot two of the worst SNL exports in the same comedy, in my opinion atleast, I'm bound to find little enjoyment. However, with Roach monitoring the debates, my fingers were crossed to be proved wrong. Nope. The minuscule amount of satirisation that was implemented, namely Ferrell visiting random industries claiming them to be "the backbone of this nation", forced this comedy to be a modern mainstream cesspool that featured, yet again, everything I loathe. Consistent crass humour, such as forced adultery, capitalised on the perceived lack of intelligence American civilians collectively have acquired. "I don't want to live in Rainbowland!". Shifting between each candidate after every rebuttal like indecisive children deciding to purchase a yo-yo or a fully loaded pistol (now that's satire!).
Ferrell was boring as per usual. Galifianakis was irritating and, oh would you look at that, as hilarious as an enigmatic bushy blonde combover (more satire!). The supporting cast of fantastic talent, Lithgow and Sudeikis especially, remained on the sideline just watching these two fools destroy a perfectly adequate comedy. The characters were insufficiently developed, lacking the personality to boot as well. The campaign itself sucked with restrained scenarios. And it alluded to bestiality by letting a goat lick the tip of...well, y'know where that's heading.
A missed opportunity for cleverly explored satirisation rapidly descended into the usual comedic tropes that have plagued the genre for far too long. Backing up my theory that mainstream modern comedy truly is woeful and all hope is essentially lost, especially with Ferrell involved. Don't even get me started on that predictable conclusion that had my eyes rolling faster than saying Hillary Rodham Clinton. I'd rather vote for reinstating capital punishment...0 member like this review.
