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Without a Paddle is a
comedy showcasing the strong bonds of true friendship. Billy, Tom, Jerry, and Dan grew
up as best friends. After graduating from high school, they all went in separate
directions but continued to share the common bond of fraternal brotherhood.
Billy (Antony Starr) traveled the world. Tom (Dax Shepard) became a
womanizing drifter. Jerry (Matthew Lillard) went to college, got a business job, and
lives with a woman who loves him, but he seems to be dealing with an early mid-life
crisis. Dan (Seth Green) became a doctor, but he still has no luck with the ladies and
is still extremely timid.
When Billy dies, the remaining friends meet in
Oregon for the funeral. They decide to visit the old tree fort, and they find the box
they put together after deciding that, one day, they’d find infamous bank robber D.B.
Cooper’s lost treasure.
Looking through the box, they discover a new
map showing where Cooper might have disappeared in the Oregon woods. The guys figure
that Billy must have created it for them to explore. This must have been the trip that
Billy had wanted all of them to take the year before—but none of them had been able to
make it.
Despite their different obligations, they agree to follow the
map in honor of Billy. The trip becomes a chaotic mess as their camp is invaded by a
Kodiak bear, their map becomes torn, they lose their canoe, they stumble upon two crazy
rednecks, they meet two of nature’s freaks, and more. By the end of the film, the guys
discover more about themselves than they ever expected.
I thought this was
a simple film, and I realize that it probably wasn’t aiming for a lot of depth. However,
I found myself enjoying it for more than just the sight gags and crazy scenarios. It has
a great story arc, and I liked how the movie celebrates true friendship and overcoming
personal demons. Burt Reynolds really caught me off-guard with his humor, and I was
impressed with Dax Shepard’s feature film debut. It’s certainly not a movie designed to
be taken too seriously, but it might just catch you by surprise.
Extras
on the DVD include commentary, deleted scenes (several of which I wished they had left
in), a behind-the-scenes look featurette, and trailers.
GRADE: B+
(movie) B+ (DVD)
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