Movie Breakdown: Bad Trip
Pre-Screening Stance:
I’ve never really been much of an Eric Andre fan, but the trailer for Bad Trip did make me chuckle a couple of times. Maybe it works?
Post-Screening Ramble:
Bad Trip is somewhat of a low rent buddy, road trip comedy, but I had a fairly good time with it. The film, which is one part scripted, one part hidden camera hi-jinks, follows Chris (Eric Andre) and Bud (Lil Rel Howery) as they make their way from Florida to New York in a hot pink ride called the “Bad Bitch”. By the way, this vehicle belongs to Bud’s sister, Trina (Tiffany Haddish), and she did not say they could borrow her prized possession, so she’s in hot pursuit of them.
When I noted that Bad Trip is somewhat of a low rent movie, it’s because it actually does a handful of pretty nifty things. The hidden camera bits are more to just spike a laugh and the scripted parts are what actually drive the film, which is smart since it makes Bad Trip feel it has a real story and not just a bunch of pranks. There’s also a solid number of endearing moments in it. Chris and Bud are generally lovable goofs, and the hidden camera stuff is littered with nice, actual bystanders trying to help the accidentally-destructive duo. Even Trina, an escaped convict and total bully, is kind of likeable here. In opposition of what works in Bad Trip though is a slew of very lazy, low brow jokes, like Chris being sexually assaulted by an ape or Chris vomiting everywhere or Chris and Bud getting their penises stuck in a Chinese finger trap. All of these scenes stretch on for too long and they totally undermine the good vibes that the rest of the film puts out.
If its slew of gross out moments aren’t something that will faze you, then I think you’ll find Bad Trip to be a funny, enjoyable ride. If they will, it likely is not the movie for you. Bad Trip hits Netflix today, March 26.
One Last Thought:
Tiffany Haddish is a very funny person so I get why comedy is her main thing, but this movie really does well to show that she can be physically intimidating, too. She should seriously consider doing an action movie or two in the near future.
