Let’s take a look at the biggest and best comedy movies of 2012. Funny this year comes in the form of Sacha Baron Cohen as a dictator, Mark Wahlberg’s talking teddy bear, The Three Stooges rebooted, Will Ferrell in an all-Spanish language comedy, and Colin Farrell kidnapping dogs. That and so much more. Here’s the rundown of every significant theatrical release:

– FEBRUARY –
Wanderlust
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman
Director: David Wain
Out: 24 February 2012 (U.S. Dates)

A straight-laced New York couple (Rudd, Aniston) leave the big city after he is laid off and unintentionally join a freewheeling new-age community, where the only rule is to be yourself. Produced by Judd Apatow, ‘Wanderlust’ reunites Rudd with director David Wain (‘Role Models’). Rudd has been this character many times before, which adds to the general ‘meh’ factor surrounding the movie. In truth it’s a well observed comedy that sometimes meanders a bit, but those who’ve never encountered the types of people portrayed in the community won’t see much humour in it, “dull” is a common reaction. [Critics (via Rotten Tomatoes): 59%] [Public (via IMDB): 5.6] – Mediocre

– MARCH –
Project X
Starring: Unknowns
Director: Nima Nourizadeh
Out: 2 March 2012

‘Found footage’ R-rated comedy, produced by the director of ‘The Hangover’. The cast is made up entirely of unknowns but at $12 million it has a proper budget. The story revolves around a group of kids documenting the house party that is meant to make a name for themselves, but as the night progresses things spiral out of control as word of the event spreads. Everything will be told from the point of view of the reveller with the camera. Think ‘American Pie’ on steroids. We haven’t had a good party movie for a while. [Critics: 29%] [Public: 6.6] – Mixed Reaction

Jeff Who Lives At Home
Starring: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer, Susan Sarandon
Director: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Out: 2 March 2012

Jeff (Segal) is a 30 year-old stoner still living in his single mom’s (Sarandon) basement. He sits around contemplating the meaning of life while she does the 9-to-5 office job. He can’t understand how his brother (Helms) gets any satisfaction from an ‘independence’ that leaves him shackled to a lousy job and passive-aggressive wife (Greer). But Jeff’s world is shaken when he’s forced to leave the house to buy some wood glue, encountering a series of events that may lead to, possibly, unravelling the mysteries of his destiny. This is a lightly comic adventure with great understated performances all round. It may be too low-key for some. Think of it more as amusing and engaging character studies than laugh-out-loud comedy. [Critics: 78%] [Public: 6.6] – Ranked: 8th Best Of The Year

Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie
Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Robert Loggia, Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell
Directors: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
Out: 2 March 2012

From the creators of ‘Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job’, the cult sketch show which ran on Adult Swim for 5 seasons. Some called that series crude and inane randomness, others satirical brilliance. The feature film version sees Tim and Eric given a billion dollars to make a movie, but they squander every dime, and the sinister corporation backing it gets pissed. With their lives at stake, the guys skip town in search of a way to pay the money back. When they happen upon the chance to rehabilitate a bankrupt mall full of vagrants, bizarre stores and a man-eating wolf that stalks the food court, they see dollar signs—a billion of them. Featuring cameos from the likes of Zack Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Jeff Goldblum and Will Forte. It has some laughs but it’s alienating and a bit of a grind for anyone who hasn’t seen, and loved, the TV show already. In short, it doesn’t work as a movie, but fans may still enjoy it. [Critics: 38%] [Public: 5.1] – Avoid (unless you’re a fan)

Casa De Mi Padre
Starring: Will Ferrell, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Génesis Rodríguez
Director: Matt Piedmont
Out: 16 March 2012

All-Spanish language comedy. Armando (Will Ferrell) has lived and worked on his father’s ranch in Mexico his entire life. As it encounters financial difficulties, his supposedly successful brother (Luna) shows up to save the day, complete with new fiance (Rodríguez). But when Armando falls for her, and his brother’s business dealings turn out to be less than legit, all hell breaks loose and they find themselves in a war with a fearsome drug lord (Bernal). The story is told in an overly dramatic telenovela style and feature English subtitles. The idea is risky and fun, but is it better suited to a sketch? [Critics: 44%] [Public: 5.5] – Mediocre

21 Jump Street
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Brie Larson
Directors: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Out: 16 March 2012

Two bumbling, but youthful-looking police force recruits (Hill and Tatum) are assigned to go undercover in a high school to investigate a dangerous drug ring. But they find that high school is nothing like they left it a few years earlier ­and soon they’re confronting the terror and anxiety of being a teenager again and all the issues they thought they’d left behind. The drastically slimmed down Jonah Hill is no less funny and makes a great double act with the surprisingly talented Tatum. Fans of the ’80s TV series may be disappointed to see it redone as a comedy. Johnny Depp, the star of that show, makes a cameo. [Critics: 84%] [Public: 7.2] – Ranked: 1st Best Of The Year

More Comedy Movies 2012 >

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