Written by Cameron Geiser

R-rated action comedies don't come around all that often anymore, which is why I'm particularly pleased to inform you that Comedian Bert Kreischer's addition to the sub-genre is a lot of fun. Besides the expected levels of crass humor and gut busting antics that litter The Machine, I was generally impressed with the quality of film that we got. However, if you're unfamiliar with the viral story that catapulted Bert Kreischer to his current stardom, fret not. The opening scenes do a good job of establishing the real life story of a young college-aged Bert who took a semester studying abroad in Russia in the late 1990's and ended up robbing a train with the Russian Mafia.

The Machine begins roughly twenty years later with a repentant Bert- he’s set the Kreischer clan against him for putting his trainwreck ways above the happiness, mental health, and general safety of the family. During his eldest daughter's birthday party (that he expectedly went overboard for when asked not to do so) the Russian Mafia showed up wanting what he stole all those years ago. After threatening his family's lives and being held at gunpoint, the Russians kidnap Bert and his father (played by Mark Hamill) and head back to where it all began. The Machine sets the two timelines of Bert’s Russian adventures parallel to each other as he tries to remember what happened to a golden pocket watch that he stole from a former salesman on that train. After which said salesman decided to turn to the profitable world of crime. He became the Boss of the Russian Mafia’s crime empire and his adult children now vie for his approval so that they can inherit their father’s wealth, power, and status.

Not every joke lands in *The Machine*, but enough do for a goofy, fun time.

Comedy is obviously quite subjective, and indeed I am biased here. I’m a fan of Bert Kreischer, and while I've never been to one of his shows, I do enjoy his podcasts and comedy specials overall. However, even putting my personal enjoyment aside, there were a few things that signalled a more serious level of effort that I anticipated going in. I usually don't take note of simple technical aspects of films, but the transitions in The Machine were legitimately some of the more visually interesting ones in recent memory. The pacing was handled incredibly well, and in all honesty- I didn't expect Bert to be as good as he was at acting. Granted, he is playing an exaggerated version of himself, extrapolated from a story that actually happened to him, but still, good on him for going for the gold. Mark Hamill also appeared to be having a great time as Bert’s father/sidekick, maybe not his most demanding role, but he really leaned into the insanity of it all.

Which by the way, doesn't mean the film is perfect by any means. Some jokes did not land in my sold out screening. Over three fourths of the comedy did connect with my audience, but the Family Matters jokes in particular wandered into cringe territory surprisingly quick. It's also structurally very predictable, but the comedic parts that did hit, hit hard. There's a particular throat punch that sent my theater into an uproarious cacophony of laughter, trust me, you'll know it when you see it. It all depends on what you're looking for, this is an action comedy starring a frat boy Comedian who still parties maybe a little too hard for his own good. Bert Kreischer's success lies in his strange amount of relatability and good natured party boy energy. If that's not your vibe, be warned- this may not be for you. For everyone else, check out The Machine, it's a good time.

Cameron Geiser is an avid consumer of films and books about filmmakers. He'll watch any film at least once, and can usually be spotted at the annual Traverse City Film Festival in Northern Michigan. He also writes about film over at www.spacecortezwrites.com.