Step Brothers

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: July 25, 2008

7.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 426 Ratings

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User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

ryancarroll88Aug 27, 2010

The movie might lose its focus in the second half, but the whole thing has that crude charm that only Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly together can give us.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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JayH.Nov 26, 2008

Really dumb and silly comedy, Will Farrell is still playing the same one note character he always plays. At least there is Richard Jenkins and Mary Steenburgen, they are terrific. Only occasionally amusing.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

eTurkeyJul 25, 2012

Going into this film as NOT the biggest Will Ferrell fan and only lukewarm to past performances of John C. Reilly, I had average expectations of how this film would turn out. Needless to say, I was decently surprised of how bad it didn't turnGoing into this film as NOT the biggest Will Ferrell fan and only lukewarm to past performances of John C. Reilly, I had average expectations of how this film would turn out. Needless to say, I was decently surprised of how bad it didn't turn out. Sure, it wasn't a comedic blockbuster but it did produce some laugh out loud moments which had me chuckling. However, it should be noted that the two standout performances (in my opinion) were that of Adam Scott as the egotistical younger brother and his suffering wife played by Kathryn Hahn.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TrilobiteGSep 26, 2015

Where there are way too many jokes that fall flat, Step Brothers has enough brotherly comedy to keep me entertained and not too bored. The realism and little titbits to real life with siblings really works.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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TommingsJul 8, 2014

Mainly generic films tend to have a shortish review to sum up a response, I believe this to be true seeing as I cant really say much on "Step Brothers" behalf, I'll try to keep my points minimalistic and brief.

Am not a major of genericMainly generic films tend to have a shortish review to sum up a response, I believe this to be true seeing as I cant really say much on "Step Brothers" behalf, I'll try to keep my points minimalistic and brief.

Am not a major of generic films, to me there just marketing devices designed to be irreplaceable because in short they get to the point, whether that be horror or comedy. This film however I did like, I don't know if its Will Ferrell (whom I just find generally funny) or just the premise of the film, I mean this film is stupid, its meant to be but its funny because of that, Yes the second half of the film is where everything goes down hill, with repetitive jokes and simple and not that effective storytelling to wrap everything up. But you can tell Ferrell and Reilly are having a whale of a time, and that's were its at, this film would have worked better as a tv show but the relation between the two stars is what makes this film, two 40 year old men behaving like infants is just funny pure and simple, so take this film with a big pinch of salt and focus on the comedy they bring because to be honest its a breath of fresh air from most of the trash produced from a seemingly tired genre of films.

Will Ferrell and John C.Reilly are the best with Ferrel having a soft spot for the rest of the cast seemingly stereotypical, but what do you expect, the film focuses on there relation and how it affects others, it does tend to use its repetitive formula and goes downhill after about an hour but the laughs are defiantly there, obviously not one of the best comedy films but a good effort and a different approach with by my books one of the finest comedy actors from America.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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CineAutoctonoDec 8, 2015

Alli for the return of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly , after Talladega Nights: The Balad of Ricky Bobby , as the great friend brokers now become like brothers who behaved like children but do not mature comedy Oh God up as ?, grown andAlli for the return of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly , after Talladega Nights: The Balad of Ricky Bobby , as the great friend brokers now become like brothers who behaved like children but do not mature comedy Oh God up as ?, grown and living with potatoes and behaving like children ? jaj !… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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amheretojudgeJan 7, 2019

Finding The Voice Together

Step Brothers McKay's daunting task to bring two comic energies on screen that is of such high caliber with an eerie relationship to work on, is an average brawler sparked up by illuminating performances. AFinding The Voice Together

Step Brothers

McKay's daunting task to bring two comic energies on screen that is of such high caliber with an eerie relationship to work on, is an average brawler sparked up by illuminating performances. A gullible world as such of McKay is his core strength, and he makes sure he uses it whenever the script gets damp, lucky for him, there is very little space to do so. The husbandry gags that the film relies upon for the most part of it, ought to have installed by Reilly and Ferrell and is thoroughly steered by them. From banal notions and hilarious illogical one liners, this comic drama, contradictory to popular beliefs, has witty sense of humor.

To pull off your typical dinner-conversation-gone-wrong case with intertwined complicated equations bubbled up by irrevocable actions shines a new light every time. The physical sequences are convincing and flat out hilarious spiced up by irregular yellings of their deepest darkest secrets that tickles you. McKay's clean trial of putting up these two hilarious personas on stand makes us see through and through of their nature which works immensely on dramatic bits no matter how little they are.

Ferrell as the shy Mama's boy, obliged but never to admit sort of stature is sculpted on screen by him where his flamboyancy on melting down and cheering up welcomes you to join this unfathomable emotions. Reilly, on the other hand, the impossible to live with guy, is where the antics move accordingly, and his reach to grasp Ferrell's schemes has merits of its own. These two twinkling stars are the heart of the film, if the camera seeks someone else, the energy wears off quickly. Step Brothers feels like real brothers for their constant bickering and petty fights, with all the crisp from surface to the core, this family is fun.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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AndrewBurgeJul 31, 2018

There is a certain beauty in Adam McKay's 'Step Brothers'. A childish innocence which could have been this film's mark to greatness. Unfortunately this approach is often ignored in favor of screwball comedy which would be fine, but a fewThere is a certain beauty in Adam McKay's 'Step Brothers'. A childish innocence which could have been this film's mark to greatness. Unfortunately this approach is often ignored in favor of screwball comedy which would be fine, but a few set-pieces at attempting humor are more screwball than comedy.

To be honest, I expected more from the man who directed cult classics like the 'Anchorman' series and even tackled with Oscar-worthy material in 'The Big Short'. Here, though, the story of two middle-aged men living with their parents is often riddled with awkward pacing and failed attempts at comedy. One such example is when Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell)'s brother, which has a successful career and an apparently happy family arrives into the scene and his wife, mentally damaged by his mannish control is having sexual intercourse with Dale Doback (John C. Reilly). They are nearly caught by the family but through a ridiculous explanation they get away with it. I was prepared to turn a blind eye to this in favor of comedy, but it happened twice.

Do not get me wrong. This film has funny moments. Just about enough to grant it a passing note, but then getting close to the ending, everything turns into the typical idealistic pathos. Seriously, is like watching a prolonged yogurt commercial. Also, this decay starts really early being a transitional slope from mediocrity to lackluster happy ending shtick.

Screwball comedy is a dangerous concept to work with. It is fragile and has a cheap and immature aesthetic which needs to be balanced carefully. When it works is brilliant, tongue-and-cheek; but when it doesn't, it can get a bit stupid. So yeah, 'Step Brothers' definitely has humor, thanks in part to Reilly and the screwball master himself, Will Ferrell, is just that it breaks too often.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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SamuelJAug 2, 2008

I will first say that I did not "like" this movie. It was funny and even hilarious in parts, but it didn't come together as a complete movie. funny but not enjoyable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AlexJul 31, 2008

This is the type of movie that you REALLY want to hate but can't. What makes it funny is that it's so ridiculous that you can't help but laugh. I said "what??" aloud at least 5 times during this movie, while laughing. Half the This is the type of movie that you REALLY want to hate but can't. What makes it funny is that it's so ridiculous that you can't help but laugh. I said "what??" aloud at least 5 times during this movie, while laughing. Half the time you'll be saying, "This movie sucks". The other half you'll be too busy laughing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MattKJul 28, 2008

Laugh-out-loud funny from time to time, but it runs in circles for a large portion of the running time. The major turn-off for me was the extreme overuse of the f-word; it was as if they'd just discovered it. Just another Ferrell-Reilly Laugh-out-loud funny from time to time, but it runs in circles for a large portion of the running time. The major turn-off for me was the extreme overuse of the f-word; it was as if they'd just discovered it. Just another Ferrell-Reilly vehicle.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MevansOct 24, 2010

On first viewing i thought was awful. Completely immature, incredibly shallow and not that funny but when i see it again 2 years later i finally realise it has some great moments and that it is ment to be immature and that is what makes itOn first viewing i thought was awful. Completely immature, incredibly shallow and not that funny but when i see it again 2 years later i finally realise it has some great moments and that it is ment to be immature and that is what makes it great. Very strong at the beginning in my opinion, but it starts to sink around the middle. A great film for some but not reccomended for everyone.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JJ2FAS4UDec 31, 2021

----------------------------------5.3/10-----------------------------------

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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umrttlJan 8, 2023

I saw this listed as one of the 5 best comedy movies of the 21st century and that was a lie. Got its funny moments but a lot of it was boring npc humor

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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