“Your Highness” is an addition to the long list of films about the lives of lovable losers who choose to medicate themselves with a certain “plant.” The film is centered on a deep sibling rivalry between Thadeous (Danny McBride) and Fabious (James Franco). Franco plays the valiant first-born who is positioned to take the throne after his father. McBride plays the lazy black sheep of the family, who cannot seem to gain his father’s approval no matter how hard he tries.
Thadeous is finally given the chance to step out from behind his brother’s shadow when Fabious embarks on a quest to save his new bride, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), from the hands of the evil Leezar (Justin Theroux) after he kidnaps her on their wedding day.
After rounding up a few of Fabious’ friends, the brothers begin their journey and hilarity — or cinematic disaster — ensues.
The journey is reminiscent of many mythological tales, taking queues from Homer’s “The Odyssey,” “Theseus and the Minotaur” and “The Sword in the Stone.” The men even pay a visit to a wise wizard who could pass as Yoda’s second cousin. The wizard gives the brothers a magical compass that will assist them in finding the only weapon that will kill the treacherous Leezar. The brothers encounter various obstacles, such as a mole posing as an ally, siren-like temptresses, and three blind witches who possess deadly powers.
The film’s humor is definitely an acquired taste that leaves no one on the fence. There is everything from homoeroticism, chauvinism and drug references, and the jokes will leave the viewer either convulsing in laughter or purely disgusted.
The writing is more daring and vulgar than films such as “The Hangover” or “Pineapple Express,” which are films that are cut from the same cloth as “Your Highness,” and it is better because of it.
While the film may be too much for more conservative, reserved audiences, it is good enough for recent Oscar winner Natalie Portman. She plays an ass-kicking woman with a vendetta who helps their quest to rescue the enslaved Belladonna. Portman’s strong female character brings somewhat of a relief to the male raunchfest but is subjected to unwanted advances and jokes at her expense.
Another high point of the film is McBride’s comedic timing. In a role that could easily turn flat and ridiculous, McBride is funny without having to try too hard. He actually plays the ne’er do well stoner better than someone such as Seth Rogen, whose shtick has been way overdone.
Maybe the film only works because it is episodic and leaves no time for awkward moments, or maybe it is Franco’s barely there acting, which is laughable in its own right. Whatever the reason, the film actually does a better job at shocking the audience into laughter than its predecessors.
