Leslie Edwards (Matthew Perry) and Bartholow Hunt (Chris Farley) lead a team of rag-tag misfits on a quest to beat Lewis & Clark to the Pacific Coast. A magnificent early 1800's western environment encompasses the explorers on their journey. All awhile, an undeniably catchy score plays in the background.However, obviously, the comedy is the movie's overt strong point. Decent to commendable comedic performances are had throughout the whole cast. Despite the wonderful work done by Perry and Farley, the true comedy emanates from the supporting cast; including an outrageous performance by Eugene Levy as the Frenchman Guy Fontenot. The movie is so entertaining that an empty feeling is cast upon some when the movie reaches it's conclusion. The sorrow is even more painful due to Farley's death and it being his last major performance. Overall, huge laughs are to be had in this 'historical' comedic achievement.

Having essentially missed Saturday Night Live during the 90's, I don't have any great affection for Chris Farley. Nor is Matthew Perry one of my favorites (I found Friends tedious). Therefore, the two reasons to see Almost Heroes, Farley and Perry, were not a big draw.Yet, I watched this bland, slapdash comedy in order to blow ninety minutes with my family. It was dull and only marginally funny. I was cringing at the crudity and nudity (bare rectal clefts are about as far as we'll go before we throw the 6th grader out of the room or hit the fast forward button). I remember chuckling from time to time, but most of what I did was shift in my chair.Almost Heroes is nothing more than a Grade F moron movie.

There are many unanswered questions that surround this TBS Superstation staple. Questions like: Who greenlit a picture of two incompetent explorers (played by Chris Farley and Matthew Perry, no less) who "compete" with Lewis and Clark in traveling across the country? Why did Christopher Guest (yeah, the one who specializes in mockumentaries) decide to make this mostly gross-out flick for teens? Exactly how spooky is that scene where Farley out-drinks an entire conquistador fleet? And why, oh why, was there a butt-shot of Eugene Levy? Maybe these questions are partly why I like this film far more than I should. Another reason may be that it showcases Farley the best of his final given films (the eagle's egg scene shows why fans adored him; flawless slapstick, all by himself... and a prop eagle). Another may be Perry's hilarious performance (he's at the height of his Chandler wit, which is all I really want to see him do). No matter how ridiculous the premise is, there actually are some genuinely funny ideas and moments in Almost Heroes, like old but nimble braves and a fellow traveler who, ignorantly and unwillingly, is dished out almost all of the group's natural suffering. My favorite scene is really more just a gag: The team of sweetly dumb pioneers gives in to fear of animals and take fire at one squirrel. My main question after watching Almost Heroes: How many more laughs could Farley have given us had he not passed away so early? My guess: Way more than Adam Sandler.

Let me just say I am by no means a fan of Chris Farley. He's done a few good things, understood physical comedy and might have someday been the next big thing. But he's not, in retrospect, anything amazing. Everyone knows "Black Sheep" and "Tommy Boy" are the same movie, and all he really gave to this film was the same shtick of flapping his arms and grunting. Which is not my cup of tea. And Matthew Perry? Maybe he's just ingrained in my mind as Chandler Bing, but this role seemed so wrong.This is the story of two men who are trying to race Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean in 1804. Although, this is only the background to a film about Perry trying to steal another man's wife and an ongoing battle against a Spaniard obsessed with his hair.The film is not really very funny (especially after you write off Farley) and seemed to me to be in a similar vein to "Cannibal the Musical", except being that Cannibal was infinitely funnier and relied on no name actors and no budget. So, thank you Hollywood for blowing millions on a film that was poorly made and not very special... I'm sure Farley wanted this to be his swan song.I have nothing really great to say about this film, but I don't want to keep tearing it a new one because I already know people stand against me on this. Well, they can have this movie and watch it until their DVD player starts smoking. I hope I never see this film ever again. (Although, I guess after recently seeing "The Ringer" I could have done worse.)