The Machine

The Machine has enough going in its favor to warrant a recommendation to fans of Kreischer's stand-up comedy, but other audience members may walk out feeling empty.

Hamill, however, is the MVP, continuing to deliver some of his best work as an older man. When he leaves the action for a spell, the energy leaves the movie.

Writers Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes adapt Kreischer’s unbelievable viral story about robbing a train with Russian mobsters into a retrospective on the comedian’s tumultuous history with excess—a tonal misfire of fantastical absurdity clashing against emotional confessions.

The Machine really goes off the rails when it tries to turn itself into an action movie. The blandly violent fight sequences are only watchable because Hamill gets the occasional opportunity to show off his dorky-dad-on-cocaine schtick between punches.

The Machine is as surprisingly stylish as it is surprisingly unfunny.

Even when the relentlessly salty humor gets fully crass (a dog is thrown out a high window), the product is bland.

I love a good gonzo binge boozing comedy as much as the next guy, but I found almost nothing funny in this.

Kreischer is on point with his humor in this movie giving dome huge laughs, this movie also has some heart warming moments that night make you tear up. Absolute amazing comedy and movie in general!

"The Machine: A Bumpy Ride of Redemption, Memorable Bonds, and Genuine Laughter" Rating: 3/5 stars "The Machine" takes audiences on a comedic journey filled with redemption, memorable bonds, and genuine moments of laughter. With the charismatic presence of Bert Kreischer and the dynamic he shares with Mark Hamill, the film explores themes of family and personal growth, while contending with its uneven pacing. One of the film's standout qualities lies in its ability to elicit genuine laugh-out-loud moments. The comedy hits its mark, delivering clever punchlines, witty banter, and comedic set pieces that leave audiences in stitches. These moments of genuine laughter showcase the comedic strengths of the cast and the well-crafted writing behind the film. Furthermore, "The Machine" successfully portrays the parallel bonds between Bert Kreischer's character and his own daughters, as well as with Irina and her entire family. These relationships add depth and heart to the story, providing touching moments that resonate with viewers. The exploration of family dynamics and personal growth adds a layer of relatability, making the characters and their journeys more compelling. The film's redemption arc for Bert Kreischer is a central theme and is navigated with authenticity. Despite the bumps along the way, the journey to redemption allows Kreischer's character to grow and evolve, showcasing his flaws and his determination to become a better person. This adds a layer of sincerity and relatability to the story, making the character's development more engaging. However, it's important to note that the film's uneven pacing remains a notable drawback. The occasional lulls disrupt the overall flow and prevent the film from maintaining a consistent comedic momentum. This inconsistency hampers the ability to fully capitalize on the comedic potential, despite the genuine moments of laughter. In conclusion, "The Machine" provides a bumpy ride of redemption, exploring the power of familial bonds and personal growth. With genuine moments of laughter, the film showcases the comedic talents of the cast and the well-crafted writing. The parallel relationships with Kreischer's daughters and Irina's family add depth and heart to the story. However, the uneven pacing acts as a minor hindrance, preventing the film from fully realizing its comedic potential. Nevertheless, "The Machine" delivers an enjoyable and heartfelt comedic experience.

I like Bert OK, but he's kind of a dummy. I don't think he deserves to star in movies.

Just watched this at the $2 theater and asked for my money back, as a passing fan of Bert I figured I’d give it a shot, terrible decision. The acting is terrible and not in a nod and wink kinda way, they were trying and this is the best they could do. I enjoyed seeing Hamill and a couple of jokes did land, that’s what keeps me from giving this a 0 or 1. All in all, avoid this unless it’s free on a streaming service you already have, and even if it’s free on streaming consider literally everything else before this. Tl;dr version Avoid this and just watch the bit is was born from on YouTube.

It works as a "legend" made stand-up routine, but does it work as a fully-fledged movie, featuring the shirtless wonder that gave it its name? Short answer: on paper it probably did, and someone financed it. In reality: nope, when you see it in front of you with the embellisments added to make it more "movie-like". And the same happens when you re-watch the legendary original special stand-up routine of the same name. It just is not as good, as if you have Bert as a buddy and you're standing next to him re-telling it for the umpteenth time to a new crowd. I get that the low-brow crowd (which I count myself a part of since I do like his stand-up mostly) wants to like the movie no matter what, but if you sober up you'll see the big headache your punch-drunk stupid night out has evolved to.