4/5 by Eric Sloss, writer.
Jack Black and Michael Cera are talented comedians who go about their craft in vastly different ways. Black is a big presence whose actions on screen usually go over the top. Cera is more of a subtle personality. I liken him to a present day Bob Newhart. He is a quiet unassuming type. In “Year One”, they are paired together to form a very funny comedy team.
Harold Ramis (“Groundhog Day”, “Caddyshack”) helms this comedy romp through biblical times. Black and Cera play two tribesmen named Zed and Oh. Zed is quite the disastrous hunter. Oh toils away as a gatherer. Both men flee their village after Zed accidentally burns down a house. Before this happens, the men visit the famous Garden of Eden that tripped up Adam and Eve. Zed thinks he has found enlightenment from one of the apples from the tree. This is one of those movies that pokes fun at religion. Some people might object to this, but more open minded folks will find the humor in some of the biblical stories. Ramis is not a provocateur like Bill Maher, so this is all done with a light touch.
Zed and Oh first come across Cain (David Cross) and Abel (Paul Ruud) right before Cain’s infamous murder. Cross is a riot in this role. It is fun how he shifts blame for the murder and how paranoid he is. One of the better scenes involves Zed and Oh first seeing a wheel and the subsequent chase between Adam and Cain. The scene is so simplistic in nature, but it works because each of the actors buys into it.
This is one of the better roles for Black. It can be put up there with his role in “School of Rock”. Both roles didn’t rein him in, but Black knew when to dial it down some. That was a problem with me with his performance in “Tropic Thunder”. It was just too manic and not in sync with the other actors. That is not the problem here as Black and Cera share great chemistry. It is almost like they have worked years together.
Zed means well with his actions, but they usually end in disaster. He and Oh get in and out of trouble usually because Zed is so trusting with people. Another famous biblical person they run into is Abraham (Hank Azaria). Once again, it is an obvious scene but the execution is spot on. Their talks with Abraham regarding foreskins are not to be missed.
Their adventures eventually lead them to Sodom where anything seems to go. They have to rescue their lady loves before they are sacrificed. Oliver Platt has fun with his role as a High Priest. There are other comedians that stop by for the proceedings including the director himself.
“Year One” is a funny romp through biblical times. It is anchored capably by the talents of Black and Cera. Hopefully these two make another movie together soon.