Review: Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (Blu-ray)

Anti-comedian duo Tim & Eric mash their bizarre, one of a kind antics into a feature film with Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie courtesy of Magnet.












Info
  • Director: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
  • Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, John C Reilly, Will Forte, Will Ferrell
  • Year: 2012
  • Runtime: 93 Minutes
  • Company: Magnet
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Discs: 1
  • Video: 1.77:1 - 1080p - AVC
  • Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
  • Region: A
  • Released: 5/8/2012

Film
When anti-comedians Tim & Eric announced their plans to make a feature film, I was beyond excited. That's putting it lightly, because I was actually head over fucking heels excited. Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim have long been one of my favorite entertainment duo since their television debut with Tom Goes To The Mayor, and to a more extreme degree with Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. Their blend of comedy is a mix of bizarro, outlandish hilarity that is essentially an after hours video nightmare that is stuck on repeat. It's not for everyone, in fact I know people who down right hate their shows due to the lurid subject matter but those encapsulated (like me) by their unique antics find much to love.
With that said, Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie is borderline wretched. For those not in the know, Tim & Eric's TV shows have extremely condensed run-times which clock in at about 11 minutes. The episodes rarely have concrete continuity and are filled with non-sequitor randomness, and that's totally fine. That formula works for that medium and the results are hilarious. Now translate that same kind of concoction over to a feature film, not so much. I hadn't really though of that as I sat down to watch this, something which I completely blame my incessant excitement on. Taking a 11 minute concept and applying it to a 93 minute feature is narratively a recipe for disaster, but linear storytelling really isn't Tim & Eric's m.o.
Billion $ Movie sees Tim & Eric playing extravagant billionaire versions of Tim & Eric. They've been given a billion dollars from rich corporation owner Tommy Schlaaang (Robert Loggia) to make a feature film, which instead turns into 3 minutes of footage featuring an imposter Johnny Depp in a diamond tuxedo. With all the money blown on expenditures, Tim & Eric are not only broke but on the run from a revenge seeking Schlaaang, leading the duo to accept an offer from Mr Weebs (Will Ferrell) entailing that they become the new owners of his run down mall which will turn them into billionaires. Ridiculous shenanigans ensue.
Being a rampant fan of Tim & Eric, I was honestly quite bummed to see this turn out to be such a sloppy and uninspired effort. Like Tim & Eric's Awesome Show, all their celebrity buddies (including John C. Reilly, Will Forte & Zack Galifinakis) show up for either a quick or extended cameo, but here their presence fails to contribute or illicit any comedic value. The plot isn't ridiculous as much as it's mediocre and, frankly just boring. Tim & Eric focus on obnoxious gross-out sight gags and throw their trademark pizazz that made me love their work so much in the first place to the wayside. As much as I adore Tim & Eric, I can't say I enjoyed this film with a straight face, let alone recommend it to like minded fans.

Blu-ray
  • Video
Magnet's Blu-ray of B$M looks just as it should with a digitally crisp HD transfer that shouldn't disappoint anyone. A barrage of vibrant colors shine out and sharp detail is clear throughout. Magnet's BD's always look great and this is no exception.
  • Audio
The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is sonically sound with dialogue, effects and music pumping through the channels with an expected beat that is always crystal clear.

Bonus Features
  • Audio Commentary - Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim
  • Deleted/Extended Scenes
  • Featurette - "Good Evening S'Wallow Valley"
  • Interview - Tim & Eric
  • Featurette - "HDNet: A look at Tim & Eric's B$M"
  • Promo Videos
  • Shrim Dance Screensaver
  • Poster/Photo Gallery
  • Trailers

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