Nature Calls

Have you ever watched a movie trailer, marveled at the all-star cast, and thought there was no possible way the film could be a bomb?  Introducing Nature Calls - a movie with million dollar potential that falls flat on its face.

Randy (Patton Oswalt, Young Adult) and Kirk (Johnny Knoxville, MTV's Jackass) are brothers who were lovingly raised by their Boy Scout troop leader father.  Kirk hated the Scouts and went on to become a very successful ATM businessman, while Randy became a troop leader just like their father.  Disappointed that his troop has become a joke, Randy "kidnaps" a bunch of kids from Kirk's adopted son's sleepover and takes them camping.  Unfortunately, hilarity does not ensue.

The level of talent mismanagement present in Nature Calls is stupefying.  Maura Tierney (NBC's ER) is wasted in a small role as Kirk's wife.  Rob Riggle (21 Jump Street) plays the same loudmouth character he has in other films as Kirk's bodyguard.  Comedy icon Darrell Hammond (NBC's Saturday Night Live) plays Ranger Deakins - perhaps the unfunniest character he has portrayed in his entire career.  Worst of all, this film marks the final cinematic appearance of comedian Patrice O'Neal who sadly passed away following complications from a stroke in 2011.  O'Neal and Riggle are somewhat humorous in their roles, but are only present in a few short scenes.  The editing is lazy and none of the subplots make any sense (e.g. the naked woman riding a motorcycle and also the fact that Kirk's son was adopted from Africa).  Simply put, the only positive thing about Nature Calls is the short running time.

Aside from a behind the scenes video and an outtake montage there are no other special features.  That’s too bad since a commentary track with some of the cast probably would have been better than the original film.  Heck, recording the stand-up routines of Oswalt, O’Neal, and Riggle would have been leagues above what actually occurred.  If you must see a comedy involving a scout leader, skip this and watch Bushwhacked instead.  When Nature Calls, don’t answer.