I watched CR without reading any reviews or seeing any trailers. I virtually had neither high nor low expectations. Here's my 2 cents:
--I find the most simplistic movie reviews to be those who try to put a movie into a "genre box." I see much of that here--people comparing it The Hangover or Will Ferrell movies. I don't think CR is that kind of movie. You want evidence? I will first point to the understated score and music choices. The Hangover relies on using contemporary hiphop music turned to 11 to give some sense of grandiosity and exaggeration, which primes the audience emotionally to give a response to the jokes. It's a form of pandering. I'm not saying The Hangover isn't funny, but I AM saying that the laughs generated are enhanced by the music. Just think of the Mike Tyson/Phil Collins scene.
--For those complaining about the lameness of the final scenes in the cabin...I think that was kind of the point of the scene. We know that Isiah's character is established as being unfunny; Ed Helms's character's comedic charm is in his naivete; Reilly's character in his obnoxiousness. I think we laugh because of the connection they have formed through the events of the movie. We get to know these people and actually watch them develop throughout the film. This also separates it from The Hangover.
--If I compare Cedar Rapids to anything, it would be a movie like Almost Famous. Granted, Almost Famous is much better than Cedar Rapids, but that is more a testament to AF's greatness rather than a slight against CR. You have a sheltered, naive character who learns of the realities of life after gaining some life experience on the road. The protagonists grow, adapt, and ultimately retain their more idealistic charm while displaying a wiser world-view. The humor of the films come not from the jokes themselves, but the intimacy with which the audience learns about the characters.
--If that's not your cup of tea, that's fine, but it's unfair to compare this movie to comedies like The Hangover because it's a different kind of comedy.
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