Streaming now, “Ricky Stanicky” takes audiences back to the comedic terrain Peter Farrelly once dominated. With a premise revolving around an imaginary scapegoat named Ricky, the film follows three lifelong friends as they navigate adulthood while still blaming their misdeeds on their fictional creation. However, what ensues is a lackluster journey through tired jokes and worn-out gags.
Farrelly, along with a team of writers, fails to inject any fresh energy into the narrative, leaving viewers with a sense of deja vu rather than amusement. The humor often veers into crass territory, with jokes about women’s appearances and racially insensitive remarks overshadowing any potential laughs.
The cast, led by Zac Efron and John Cena, does their best with the material at hand. Efron’s portrayal of Dean allows for some moments of emotional depth, while Cena fully commits to the absurdity of his character, Rod. Yet, their efforts can’t salvage a script that relies too heavily on juvenile humor and repetitive punchlines.
Despite sporadic flashes of comedic brilliance, “Ricky Stanicky” ultimately falls short of delivering consistent laughs. It serves as a reminder that some comedic tropes are better left in the past, failing to capture the charm of Farrelly’s earlier successes.