juneebuggy
I watched this because my brother was visiting and he wanted to see it. Honestly I didn't find it all that funny, he however thought it was hilarious, so maybe it was just me. This just felt like a half completed movie, it tried but the script was weak, the humour silly, the gags raunchy and it didn't quite make it. Ed Helms takes the lead here and is basically his 'Hangover' character all over again.It has an interesting enough premise; following a small town shy, naïve Wisconsin insurance agent who must represent his company at a regional insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where his mind is blown by the big city experience. There are certainly some funny moments here John C Reilly is foul mouthed and hilarious, that pool scene with the garbage can just killed me.Anne Heche is the romantic lead here (sort of). Honestly I couldn't figure out the purpose of her role? Also a cameo from Sigourney Weaver who looks fantastic as she hasn't altered herself and is aging normally with facial expressions and all, nice to see.I suppose not a bad movie if you shut the brain off and have a couple beers with your brother 07.11
runamokprods
It's got raunch and craziness, but at it's heart it's a celebration of kindness, of community. of morality (not the stuffy kind, the good kind) – all while never losing it's sense of fun. Ed Helms does a very nice job as a tremendously innocent insurance salesman from a small town in Wisconsin, sent to a convention in Cedar Rapids. This represents his first time on a plane, his first time in the 'big city'. But while the film may tease Tim a little, it doesn't treat him with the removed hip irony most films now would, and makes him a complex character (e.g. back home he has a fun sexual fling going with his 7th grade teacher, wonderfully played by Sigourney Weaver. He may be an innocent, but he's also a grown man with a sense of humor and self.). This ability to both kid and embrace characters is a long-time strength of director Miguel Arteta and producer Alexander Payne. With some terrific support from John C. Reilly as a wild-man party animal at the convention (who has more humanity than you'd think), Isaiah Whitlock Jr. as a straight-laced black room-mate (who has more humor, and more of a sense of fun than you might think), and Anne Heche as a party girl (who is smarter and more soulful than you might think). Maybe not quite a great film, but a good hearted and very enjoyable one.
Paul Magne Haakonsen
"Cedar Rapids" is not really the type of comedy that will have you laughing hard and wiping your cheeks from tears of laughter. But it is the kind of comedy that slowly seeps into you and stays with you for awhile.The story is about the fairly naive and timid of life insurance agent Tim Lippe (played by Ed Helms) who have to go to a convention in Cedar Rapids in order to attempt to win an award for his company. Here he befriends Dean Ziegler (played by John C. Reilly), Ronald Wilkes (played by Isiah Whitlock Jr.) Joan Ostrowski-Fox (played by Anne Heche) who all play parts in a life-changing event for Tim.The story in "Cedar Rapids" was actually quite good, and it was captivating and really nicely put onto the big screen. The story was progressing at a nice pace and had some great moments, where the actors and actresses really got to shine in their characters. I was really impressed with both Ed Helms and Anne Heche, and their on-screen chemistry was just so great. But there was also nice supporting roles by Stephen Root (playing Bill Krogstad), Kurtwood Smith (playing Orin Helgesson), Sigourney Weaver (playing Macy Vanderhei) and Thomas Lennon (playing Roger Lemke).I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, despite it not really being the type of movie that made me laugh. But it was a great story and one that seemed very plausible and one that you could easily put yourself into. It is a comedy that celebrates life and all the chaotic randomness that makes up people's lives."Cedar Rapids" is well worth checking out.
doubledeuce444
With all of the Hollywood movies either being a superhero movie, sequels, or remake/fairytale ripoffs it is finally good to see a new original script. This movie is hilarious. Great characters and cast chemistry. Ed Helms steps onto the big screen from the Office and does not miss a beat. I see him getting bigger in the coming years. John C. Reilly however absolutely steals the show playing the scumbag salesman with a good heart. Movie is a little dark at times and was somewhat disappointed in the ending but overall a solid original comedy with great acting. It is good to watch a comedy that does not feature the Apatow dick and fart jokes that last for 2 and half hours or a Will Ferrell movie that is mindless humor.
AD
