TruTV’s Impractical Jokers is one of the funniest, most ridiculous shows on television at the moment. A prank show created by the comedy group The Tenderloins (Joe Gatto, James “Murr” Murray, Brian “Q” Quinn, and Sal Vulcano), the show centers around competitive games of dares, in which each Joker receives a grade for their individual prank and dare, and the loser is subject to public humiliation in the form of a punishment. When a movie was first announced in 2018, people were left with a lingering question – how, exactly, would a movie based on the show work?
The answer is simple – it’s exactly what you’d expect. The big-screen version of the show, directed by Funny Or Die co-creator Chris Henchy, still features the guys pranking each other and the public, and it’s fantastic in that way. The show promises consistent laughs and fantastic chemistry between the Jokers, and the movie delivers on those promises about as well as the 30-minute show did. The show promises celebrity cameos during some pranks, and the cameos from D-list legends like Jaden Smith and Paula Abdul are definitely there, and make for some of the funniest pranks, and moments, in the film. Seeing as the Jokers are all part of the Funny Or Die Family, there are cameos from several ex-Funny Or Die stars who are famous and recognizable nowadays. I’m not saying who, because I would be giving away a major prank, but it’s definitely someone even non-film fans would recognize.
The film stands out, however, in the sense that it is incredibly self-aware, moreso than the show: they understand that they can only do so much, due to the tiny budget and inexperienced crew, but they have so much fun doing it that it feels like it’s made for a good time. It’s meant to be a time for you to feel good and laugh out loud, and in that sense, it works excellently as a film. It also surpasses the show in terms of editing, looking much more professional than the show does at times, and making standout moments for each Joker’s personality, interests, and prank styles.
However, I will say that there are some weak points, just like all films. The scripted scenes are awful, as is the “narrative” in the first half of the film, which centers around Joe trying to find the rest of the Jokers after losing contact with them. The “insane” punishments that are given to each Joker for messing up are obviously fake, much like your typical party “magic”, but they still all guarantee laughs knowing what will happen next. Despite the weak points, it’s great for what it is – a movie based on a show about a group of friends having fun with each other.
Fans of the show, much like myself, would definitely enjoy it, because the film features a bunch of running gags and hidden moments based on the show itself, but people who don’t know the Jokers will still have a good time, because it’s just that fun. It’s a quick easy watch, which will actually be coming to TVs near you soon, and a perfect laugh for your self-quarantine. You may even get a new show to watch out of it!
4/5 STARS