‘Sausage Party’ is dumb summer fun
‘Sausage Party’ is dumb summer fun
By Sara Stewart
August 11, 2016 | 1:01pm Trig
MOVIE REVIEW
Seth Rogen’s raunchy “Sausage Party” contains occasional flashes of satirical brilliance. But in true stoner form, it also thinks a lot of stuff is funnier than it actually is.
The premise, that sentient food items think they’re going to a heaven-like “great beyond” when they’re purchased, is a rather scathing commentary on religious fervor. The entire grocery store greets every day with a song in praise of the “gods” — the customers — that quickly turns a little creepy, racist and closed-minded: “Everybody else is f - - kin’ stupid, except for those who think like me!” they chirp.
Frank (Rogen) is a hot dog who can’t wait to be bought and, uh, united with his shapely bun girlfriend, Brenda (Kristen Wiig). But when a jar of mustard (Danny McBride) is returned and shares horror stories of what really happens to edibles, Frank’s worldview is upended.
The profane screenplay centers on several so-wrong-they’re-hilarious scenes, including a “Caligula”-esque food orgy and an all-out massacre as a woman unpacks her groceries and makes dinner. (“They’re eating children!” shrieks one sausage as she pops baby carrots into her mouth.)
Unfortunately, there are about 60 more minutes to fill; thus the requisite protagonist’s journey as Frank searches for answers, a la “Finding Nemo” and “Inside Out” and every other Pixar film, the aesthetics of which are clearly the inspiration here.
Directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon are working with a first-rate cast, running wild with stereotypes and daring you to be offended. Nick Kroll is the funniest he’s ever been as a douchebag who is literally a douche bag. Bill Hader does his best Johnny Depp as a wise, weed-smoking Native American bottle of “Firewater.” Salma Hayek plays a lesbian taco, while Ed Norton is a Woody Allen-esque bagel and David Krumholtz is his lavash-bread nemesis. Craig Robinson plays a box of grits who’s got a problem with crackers: “They call me Mr. Grits!” he bellows, in one of many cinematic shoutouts.
Yeah, it’s all sorta edgy and at times genuinely funny, but you may find yourself going numb halfway through.
I have fond memories of watching the very first “South Park,” a Christmas short with four adorable kids who immediately began dropping F-bombs. It was hilarious because it was innovative. That was 1995. We’ve come a long way, but Rogen assumes we’ll still find cursing cartoons mind-blowing. If you see “Sausage Party” in the same state of mind as he likely was when he thought it up, he’ll probably be right.
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The premise, that sentient food items think they’re going to a heaven-like “great beyond” when they’re purchased, is a rather scathing commentary on religious fervor. The entire grocery store greets every day with a song in praise of the “gods” — the customers — that quickly turns a little creepy, racist and closed-minded: “Everybody else is f - - kin’ stupid, except for those who think like me!” they chirp.
I seeded this trailer 4 or 5 months ago when it came out, and then forgot about the movie.
Watching this, it looks like it would be more like a form of torture than comedy. F bomb spewing vegetables - what a concept. (As the review says) if you're stoned.
I really hope this cynical pile of shit bombs.
Foul language, violence and sexual innuendo seems to be what comedy is these days......but some of it is funny. :0)
By the time a hot dog is cooked and eaten, whatever feeling of pain the cow or pig or chicken who contributed to the sausage had has long since ceased.
Who knows what a carrot thinks about being eaten? Maybe they like it for all we know. This is a movie that pretends to have a message, but is actually pointless and unfunny.
I'm sure you're right John. This is certainly not for everyone. I wouldn't go to the movies to see but it's very rare that I go to the movies at all. I've been to the movies twice in the last 6 years and that was Jurassic park (I wanted some popcorn) and the latest Star Wars movie (I was disappointed).
Foul language, violence and sexual innuendo seems to be what comedy is these days.
These Days!? lol
Two of this pervs favorites available in the past.
Fritz the Cat 1972
OR (and this one is a must see!! NO JOKE!, find and watch it)
Münchhausen 1943
(Deleted photo as per a members's request. D)
The story I heard was that Hitler demanded a film to beat "The Wizard of OZ" and this was the gem that they came up with.
The movie is really grand and a must see for anyone not afraid of sub-titles or who can understand German however there is a lot of sex and violence peppered through out the film.
This reminds me of an old Bill Cosby routine( before he fell from grace for his actions) someone who could make people laugh without using the F bomb.
asks why people smoke grass(MJ).... answer: it intensifies ones personality... reply , ok so what if your personality is that of being an asshole?