I was finally able to watch the movie The Machine this past weekend which is based on the allegedly true story of Bert Kreischer’s time in college visiting Russia. The movie stars Kreischer along with Mark Hamil playing his dad. The movie was released May 26th but unless you went to Grande Prairie or Edmonton you weren’t able to see locally. The movie can be rented online now.
The movie is set in present day but has numerous flashbacks, as the allegedly true story, that his father believes is made up comes to bite him in the butt. Russia mobsters take Bert and his dad to track down a pocket watch that was stolen during the train robbery Bert took part in with the mob back in the 90s.
You opinion of the movie will depend on your sense of humor as it centred around Bert, so if you like his stand up you will be at least alright with the movie. Mark Hamil shines in the film as Bert’s doubting father, providing great comedy in the role especially towards the end of the film with drug use and him accepting his son. Iva Babić as Irina was great as well as the mobster who is looking to establish herself in her fathers eyes as many doubt her because she is a woman. She is ice cold and you get a better understanding of her throughout the film. I liked the idea of the legend of the machine apparently got so out of control in Russia, which obviously leads to many questioning if Bert is “The Machine.”
In the end the movie ultimately comes down the sense of humor. The movie doesn’t stand out from similar style of humor movies, which shouldn’t be all that surprising. Bert as an actor is interesting, though I feel he is more of a sidekick or minor character rather than a starring one, which is common for stand ups, like Bill Burr and others. It was great they took a stab at bringing the story to life, but I felt it almost should have just been the Russian adventure, not a mix of present day and glimpses of the story. If that worked than you could make the film. The problem is that it relies on people knowing the story, especially to have any interest in seeing the film.
Final Grade: 6.5/10
Check out the trailer here:
– Everett
