Dumb and Dumber To ★

    Chances are that if you enjoyed the original "Dumb and Dumber," you may find the sequel to be forced, repetitive and all-around unfortunate. Granted, the humor that accentuated the first film is still present, albeit in smaller doses. This time, however, it seems as if the dumbfounded duo that warmed our hearts all those years ago was just an illusion, and now every gag in the book is in use to strain a dry laugh from anyone they can obtain it from. How brainless can these antiheroes become?

    You might find yourself in an unadulterated hysteria of amusement if you find certain things, such as these situations, humorous.

An individual pulling on another individual's catheter, causing much pain in the lower extremities.
The distasteful act of sexually violating an elderly woman.
An adult male changing another adult male's diaper, complete with excretion humor. 
The utilization of computer-graphic imaging to create "snot bubbles." 

    The point is that physical humor (a Jim Carrey specialty) has replaced that of situational comedy, the latter of which indeed fueled the first film. Now we have to watch Carrey wolf down a hot dog in hopes that someone will emit a sound of laughter. Numerous scenes are overdone and are blatantly repulsive, and it reminded me of a stand-up comedian who had run out of jokes and proceeded to discharge bodily sounds to get some form of reaction from the audience.   
 
    Our premise here consists of Harry returning to the mental institution in which he regularly visits to check on his partner in crime, Lloyd, who has become a shell of his former self. Lloyd reveals that it has been a gag all along, twenty years and running, and the twosome shove off into the sunset. The remainder of the storyline centers on Harry and the newly revealed fact that he has a daughter, and much like the original installment, they must embark on a long road trip to find her. Other aspects of the plot are negligible considering the quality of the film itself—things are not what they seem, and there is a plethora of disagreeable jocularity along the way.

    Viewing "Dumb and Dumber To" is like watching an individual struggle to find their way into a pair of jeans that is ten times too small. It is amusing at times, mostly tedious, and, ultimately, it is a futile attempt. The atmosphere is there, mind you, but instead of justifying laughter, it warrants feelings of sympathy for both the characters on screen and the actors portraying them. Carrey and Daniels have crafted this picture over a decade too late and with little incentive for enjoyment. 

    The only positive stemming from this uninspired project is the simple fact that the film's release date preceded that of the "Hunger Games" franchise so that it at least earned a sufficient financial return, even if it was less than deserving. There is a juncture in the film where Lloyd guesses the identity of an object in a package that is to be delivered to Harry's daughter. His assumption is that it's a baked potato, although he isn't certain why. Harry responds with, "I'm sure you'll get it, Lloyd." My bet is that he never will.