Howdy Partner, Hold On to Your Stetson: A Look at “The Ridiculous 6”

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Release date: 11 December 2015 (USA)
Genre: Western/Comedy
Director: Frank Coraci
Cinematographer: Dean Semler
Budget: $60 million USD
Box office: Unknown (Netflix Streaming)

5 MIN Read Time

“There you have it folks, the six most ridiculous dudes this side of the Mississippi!” – Narrator (uncredited)

Howdy movie mavens! Today we’re moseying on over to Netflix to dissect a film that promised laughs galore and a satirical poke at classic Westerns – Adam Sandler’s 2015 flick, “The Ridiculous 6.” Let’s just say, this rootin’ tootin’ shoot-’em-up ended up with all the charm of a tumbleweed blowing through a ghost town.

A Story as Dusty as a Deserted Saloon

The plot of “The Ridiculous 6” is about as thin as a poker chip. We meet White Knife (Sandler), an orphan raised by Native Americans, who discovers he has five half-brothers, all notorious outlaws. Reuniting with this motley crew, White Knife embarks on a quest to find their deadbeat dad (Nick Nolte) and collect a hefty bounty.

Now, there’s room for comedic gold in dysfunctional family dynamics, particularly when thrown into a wild west setting. Think “Blazing Saddles” with its sharp wit and biting social commentary, or even the more modern “Shanghai Noon” with its buddy-comedy charm. But the humour in “The Ridiculous 6” relies heavily on immature gags, toilet humour, and racial stereotypes.

Imagine a scene where a character trips over a strategically placed rock, face-planting into a pile of manure. Now repeat that gag (or a variation of it) several times throughout the movie. That’s the comedic well “The Ridiculous 6” keeps dipping into, quickly exhausting its meagre reserves. The story itself feels cobbled together, lacking focus and relying on predictable, slapstick scenarios. We never get a sense of genuine danger or peril for the characters, and the resolution feels rushed and unsatisfying.

Filming Follies: A Six-Shooter Full of Blanks?

News surrounding the filming of “The Ridiculous 6” wasn’t much livelier. Apparently, tensions flared between Sandler and director Frank Coraci, with reports of reshoots and a chaotic atmosphere on set. This lack of cohesion might explain the disjointed feel of the final product. There are moments where the film seems to be aiming for a more absurdist, “Monty Python” type of humour, but these attempts land with a thud, jarring against the broad slapstick that dominates the rest of the movie.

Adding fuel to the fire were reports of walkouts by some Native American actors who felt their characters were being stereotyped. While satire can be a powerful tool, it needs to be handled with a deft touch. Unfortunately, “The Ridiculous 6” comes across as mean-spirited rather than insightful, relying on tired tropes instead of clever subversion.

A Posse of Familiar Faces (For Better or Worse)

The cast of “The Ridiculous 6” boasts a mix of comedic veterans and rising stars. Sandler is joined by his usual Happy Madison Productions cohorts like Terry Crews and Rob Schneider. Jorge Garcia (“Lost”) and Taylor Lautner (“Twilight”) round out the group of half-brothers. While some of these actors have comedic chops, the material they’re given here feels forced and fails to capitalise on their strengths.

Sandler, in particular, seems to be on autopilot. His signature brand of goofy charm feels stale, and his reliance on childish antics grows tiresome. Terry Crews, a powerhouse of charisma, is wasted in a role that gives him little to work with. Rob Schneider, known for his over-the-top characters, dials it up to eleven here, resulting in a performance that’s more cringe-inducing than funny.

The supporting cast fares a little better. Nick Nolte, an actor with a gravitas that could fill a saloon, sleepwalks through his role as the outlaw father. The lone bright spot is Jorge Garcia, who brings a touch of endearing awkwardness to his moonshine-loving character. However, even his performance can’t salvage the overall blandness of the film.

A “Box Office” Bellyflop

Despite its star power and Netflix’s massive platform, “The Ridiculous 6” failed to impress at the box…well, streaming service. Critics lambasted the film for its lazy humour and offensive stereotypes, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding it a dismal 0% rating [Rotten Tomatoes “The Ridiculous Six”]. Audiences largely avoided it, and it quickly faded into the vast Netflix library.

A Final Verdict: A Saloon Brawl You’d Rather Skip

Look, there’s a place for silly comedies, and some people might find the humour in “The Ridiculous 6” to their taste. But for those seeking a genuinely funny Western satire or even just a mildly entertaining Adam Sandler flick, this one misses the mark entirely. The story is forgettable, the jokes fall flat, and the talented cast feels wasted. If you’re looking for a good laugh, you might want to point your metaphorical horse in a different direction. There are countless classic Westerns with genuine wit and charm, or even more recent comedies that manage to be both funny and insightful. “The Ridiculous 6,” on the other hand, feels like a wasted opportunity, a comedic tumbleweed that blows by without leaving a trace. So, saddle up, partners, and mosey on over to something a little more enjoyable. This particular saloon brawl is best left to rust in the desert of forgettable films.

My Rating: 1/10