Review: Without A Paddle (12)

THREE old friends get more than they bargained for when their last big adventure before they hit 30 spirals into disaster in this endearing but mirthless movie.

Meek doctor Dan (Seth Green), man-child Jerry (Matthew Lillard) and waster Tom (Dax Shepherd) agree to brave the wild river to search for a childhood treasure as a lasting tribute to their recently deceased friend.

Of course, things go from bad to worse for the hapless trio, with marijuana-growing rednecks, maternal bears and hirsute new-age babes disrupting their poorly laid plans.

Despite a host of comedy ammo presented to the main trio none of them has the ability to take aim and hit the funny bone.

Lillard and Green, both of whom have a cult following, struggle to raise a smile while Dax's wise- cracking character has most of the best lines but can't carry the film on his own.

In fact Burt Reynolds steals the trio of young bucks' thunder, despite being almost unrecognisable as a mountain wildman.

Without A Paddle, though, has a certain endearing charm because it tries so hard to be funny.

Director Steve Brill certainly does his best to give the main characters a rough ride, subjecting them to all manner of attacks.

Without A Paddle lacks the comedic punch to tickle the ribs and, like a small child trying to attract the attention of its parents, waves its arms around annoyingly, to no effect.

by Peter McKinney

Without A Paddle is available to rent from Blockbusters, Market Place, Bromsgrove.