Probably sounding cooler on paper, this latest stoner comedy from the creators of The Pineapple Express is a bloody mess on screen. The idea of teaming A-listers James Franco and Natalie Portman with indie stalwarts Danny McBride and Zooey Deschanel in a sexy medieval comedy seems like a great idea, but not when the whole proceeding is bogged down by a lazy script peppered with countless dick and gay jokes (yes, we get it already, you’re really pushing the envelope here) and dirty words spoken in an olden style (yes, like that’s supposed to be funny). Everything about this Monty Python-meets-American Pie wannabe comes off as pretty much over-baked.
Brothers Thadeous (McBride) and Fabious (Franco) are both warriors and heirs to their father’s kingdom, but couldn’t be more different in nature. While Fabious is a natural fighter, athletic and always triumphant, Thadeous is a slacker and no-gooder who drinks his way through life. After Fabious’ bride-to-be Belladonna (Deschanel, woefully miscast) is kidnapped by powerful evil wizard Laezar (an overacting Justin Theroux), he’s forced to team up with his brother and go on a quest and at last prove himself worthy of the family name. The duo naturally get into a series of misadventures along the way, like when Thadeous’ philandering ways get them captured by a team of topless Amazonian women headed by a nastily effete fat man; but things pick up when they are later joined by kick-ass female fighter Isabel (Portman, more disappointing than ever), who will do whatever it takes to avenge her family’s death, including killing the evil Leezar.
Though enjoyable as a whole, Your Highness falls far short of what it could, and definitely should have been—a genuinely funny spoof. The film revels in its dumbness, which is fine by us, but it can’t quite turn its good-willed nature into a really laugh-out-loud comedy. It’s the interplay between the characters that’s supposed to generate much of the film’s funnies, but there just aren’t enough laughs. Plus, the effortless acting here is a huge letdown. Portman, in particular, looks out of place with a bow and arrow after her triumphant turn in a tutu in Black Swan, while McBride is simply too smug and annoying in his role. Franco, reprising his heroic turn in Tristan + Isolde with a slight twinkle in his eye, seems like the only guy who put in any effort to be funny. This one’s a royal dud alright.