Entourage (DVD REVIEW)
Entourage
DVD
Review
by Kam Williams
Movie
Adaptation of Hit TV Show Now on DVD
Entourage
went off the air in 2011, after enjoying a phenomenal, eight-year run
on the HBO Network, thanks to its refreshingly-authentic take on
cutthroat world of Hollywood. That
semi-autobiographical TV-series revolving around the irreverent
alpha-male antics of a fictional movie star and his posse was
inspired by the life of its executive producer, Mark Wahlberg.
Directed by the program's creator, Doug Ellin, this
eagerly-anticipated, big screen version more than lives up to its
legions of loyal fans' high expectations, between the bawdy, locker
room banter and the trademark misogyny we've come to expect from the
unapologetic bad boys at the center of the story.
Fortunately,
the original cast has been reunited, starting with Adrian
Grenier as matinee idol Vince Chase. There's also
Kevin Dillon as his big brother, Johnny; Jerry Ferrara as his
chauffeur, Turtle; and Kevin Connolly as his manager, Eric, aka E.
Besides that tight-knit quartet of BFFs from Queens, Vince's agent
Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) and Ari's former, long-suffering
assistant, Lloyd (Rex Lee), are among a number of other
popular characters reprising their roles.
The
picture basically unfolds like an extended rap music video. Think, a
decadent celebration of materialism and conspicuous consumption shot
against a variety of lavish backdrops littered with a smorgasbord of
scantily-clad, fantasy babes who ostensibly exist at the pleasure of
powerful males.
At
the point of departure, we find each of the
protagonists embroiled in relationship drama. Newlywed Vince is eager
to have his recent marriage annulled, while playboy E reluctantly
attends Lamaze classes with his pregnant, ex-girlfriend, Sloan
(Emmanuelle Chriqui). Turtle is hoping to last a half-minute
in the ring with MMA Champ Rowdy Ronda Rousey, which is the only way
she'd agree to a date. And Johnny comes to regret sexting with a
virtual stranger when TMZ gets a hold of the embarrassing video.
Flamboyant
Lloyd is planning an elaborate gay wedding featuring glass dildos as
centerpieces, and he wants his ex-boss to give him away to fiance
Greg Louganis. Trouble is, Ari is now a studio exec, and he's
obsessed with his first picture, a $100 million production being
directed by Vince that's already way over budget.
Never
taking itself seriously, all of the above is played purely for
laughs, including a profusion of fleeting cameo appearances by celebs
as themselves: Pharrell, Warren Buffett, Mike Tyson, Common and Gary
Busey, to name a few. For example, Liam Neeson is greeted by the
feckless foursome at a traffic light with, “Hey, Schindler, leave
no Jews behind,” you're left wondering, what the heck just
happened?
Vintage
Vince and company having tons of testosterone-fueled fun whether
being titillated by bimbos or just roaming aimlessly around L.A.
in
a classic convertible.
Very Good (3
stars)
Rated R
for frontal nudity, drug use, graphic sexuality and pervasive
profanity
Running
time: 106 minutes
Distributor:
Warner Home Entertainment Group
Blu-ray/DVD
Combo Pack Extras: The Gang: Still Rockin' It; Hollywood, Baby!; The
Making of Hyde; Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel; Meet the Newest Member of
Entourage; and Lucas Ellin is Jonah Gold.
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