The Big Year

If this wasn't a piece of comedic fiction (and let me tell you in complete confidence that it's a profoundly shitty one), this would a prime example of ornithologistsploitation. And my father is an avid birdspotter, so I'm boycotting this unbelievably offensive film!

One of the most harmless movies you will ever come across. Its lack of ambition & purpose is amazing! It was tempting to give a really low score for that, but I can't actually say I hated it. It's main problem is that it has almost zero laughs & feels like it should be more farcical. The premise kinda has the feel of a Martin film from from the 80's, but without the chemistry he would have with a Candy or Chevy, or skill of a John Hughes type director making the ordinary seem funny.

Wow! Finally got to this one and loved it! If you think of it more as a drama, than a comedy, you should really enjoy it. Truly a movie about a birdwatching competition that is really entertaining. Plus, lots of beautiful visuals.

A very underrated movie with bad marketing. With the cast involved I was expecting something very funny, but what I got was something that was a bit touching and a bit of a lesson to it. Very well done with an unbelievable cast with extremely small roles, I highly recommend this. And to think, I was going to skip this. Glad I didn't.

It was truly refreshing to see three comedians famous for overacting to perform graciously. mild and entertaining.

Typical airplane movie

#23#, [Extended Cut], rw3, liked, story, cast, oldies(2) }{ #13#, [Extended Cut], rw3, story, reviews, cast

don't remember it

Perhaps not really funny, but I found it wholesome, and with some beautiful scenery. Attu was a somewhat unexpected filming location.

What a strange film. Not really a comedy, nor a drama, but more of a guide to ornithology with comedic actors.

Not a wacked comedy about ornithologists but a serious comedy that is even more weak than lazy.

No wonder it was a box office bomb - it's a film about bird watching...pardon, birding, where there are seldom consequences to people's actions, and in the cases where there are the emotion/impact is dumbed down and diminished, so that it won't affect the bland ending. Even though the ensemble cast is surprisingly rich, all the performances are uninspired and bland. Rashida Jones is cute. After Gone Girl, I can't look at Rosamund Pike without shivering. At least there was some great bird footage

Amazing naration, amazing starting part of the movie, my favourite actress, and almost favourite (not 1st ie) actor: Steve Martin

You might be thinking, "how did they manage to make a comedy out of bird-watching?" They didn't. They tried though, but not even a gang of comedic powerhouses can force laughs into this one. I didn't dislike it, but it just seemed a little lifeless.

When I heard this was a movie about bird watching, I thought to myself it must be a metaphor for something else because it can't be all about bird watching, can it? Yes, it can. This movie is as dull as it sounds a movie about bird watching would be. With a cast including Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson, there is so much comedy potential. Unfortunately, they are forced to look at birds- as are we.

I failed to see any comedy in this.

A well-meaning light entertainment pic, but not a particularly funny one. Enlisting the considerable talents of three comedy actors and forgetting to pen some jokes unfortunately ranks as a pretty dismal failure. Remains watchable as a straight drama film, but there are significant pacing issues, character arc misfires, and in the end it doesn't really go anywhere.

The Big Year is a comedy that doesn't make me laugh enough. The chemistry between the three leads is solid, but on the whole this is a film that relies too much on emotional sentiment and not enough on making the audience have a good time. It's not a complete waste of time, though, as there are some funny and ironic situations that the three birders have to work their way out of. However, besides those few scenes, The Big Year generally falls flat.

The script has a few good moments but overall it is disappointing and lets down the good cast. This movie should have been funnier and more entertaining with the actors in it. It would have been nice to see a director like Christopher Guest handle this material. Overall I would say skip this film.

The main idea of bird watching, which is a narrow range, the subject seems to have, in their own self-sacrifice, friendship, relationships, family, health, beginning with a message that is hosting the movie. Jack Black and Steve martin, the cast in the comedy film saw supposing possible, but not necessarily to a category, we are to admit documentary intellectuals of birds, bird watching or interest in, even if I love the super movie

n the end, The Big Year rightly suggests that dreams--even extravagant, illogical dreams--are sometimes worth pursuing, especially when you can share your dreams with the people around you. Edith, for example, exhorts Stu to go out and track down his birds. "Carpe annum," she tells him: Seize the year. It's OK to want to fly, this film tells us. But as any bird knows, it's best to fly together. (pluggedin.com)

Entertainment 3/4: great nature scenes; fun pace. Spirituality 1/3: it's about friendship and family. Sustainability 1/3: birds.

wasn't funny at all, but still enjoyed watching it. pleasantly unpredictable.

Funny and interesting, mostly thanks to the gifted protagonistic trio (Black, Martin, Wilson).

The Big Year is charming actually, and I love each character who is in it. Even the bad guy.

Pleasant, but forgettable.

Very informative movie

3 big talents can't save 1 mediocre movie. The movie actually has some pretty good moments, but overall the topic (competitive bird watching?!?) is almost too hard to identify with and thus the movie is just a tad too hard to enjoy. I mean I am an obsessive nerd about things, too (just look at how many movies I've ranked), but not to the point where common sense was ignored and interpersonal relationships are ruined. Like I said, it's just too difficult to identify with.

A poor showing from some fairly talented comedic actors. There really isn't much here. It isn't bad it's just kinda... there.

It is supposed to be a comedy but its really not. It really centers more on birds, geography, and poor/good life choices. Cute movie.

Boring and not funny.

Surprisingly enjoyable and with likeable characters.

felt a bit like a non-movie. there was never the slightest bit of interest in the plot developement from my side. it wasnt explicitly bad, however, as some hollywood comedies of this sort actually can be.

Not very good, it felt way too long. But I got that feeling after 30 minutes already. It didn't get annoying though, which is I guess a good thing. Best thing of the movie were the ending credits, seeing all those different birds, cause I'm a bit of a bird-nerd

Not good, but surprisingly watchable. The lead trio does a decent job.

Not hugely funny but enjoyable enough, nice relaxing film.

Really good film. Surprisingly.

While it wasn't overly funny (did have a couple laughs) and not overly good in any respect, it doesn't do anything really wrong. It was relaxing, which is something I guess.

who think that some people in the world dedicate a whole year to watch a rare species of birds to make a record! birding! that was amazin'!

Completely bland, except for the strange dedication and passion this movie has for birdwatching. I don't know anything about "birding", but it's the only aspect of the movie that seems to have any character.

I am probably rating this movie higher than what I expected probably because I didnt have much of an expectation from this movie. The movie is not a comedy movie from any angle despite having some decent comic actors as the lead. The movie in itself is surprisingly decent.

For a flick that centers around the misadventures of three comedians (in the guise of bird-watchers), there is very little comedy in this movie. The strange thing is, I don't even think the movie was trying to be funny. It's like the filmmakers went out of their way to remove all jokes from the script. If the actors were spouting off bland quips from a script written by a Laugh Club reject, that would be one thing...but this...

From a comedy-point of view, this movie isn't very funny, but it delivers in being entertaining. The characters are portrayed very well and it's not often you see Jack Black being this calm during a movie. The film also does a good job of showing the cost of pursuing ones dreams.

One of the bottom films Jack Black and Steve Martin's been in.

Not a guffawing type comedy but still fun.

A bit too dry for me, but the birds were worth looking at, and at least I didn't have to pay thousands of dollars in plane tickets to see them.

Bit too long for the content, all the comedies a bit diluted. I still quite enjoyed it though, good performances from everyone, but not a laughter fest.

"Drained of its stars' onetime giddy spirit, this is an Olive Garden farce for audiences who don't hunger for authentic wit." - Bill Weber