MacGruber Returns with A Stupidly Funny Peacock Series | TV/Streaming


Co-creators Will Forte, Jorma Taccone, and John Solomon continue the story of the American wannabe hero by building more of the backstory, including that of how his mother (played by Marielle Heller) was murdered when he was a boy, an act that “destroyed” his father. This past comes back when MacGruber faces off against Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth (Billy Zane), a friend of his dad and a former teammate of MacGruber’s before MacGruber left him to die with others. Now Queeth wants a certain poisonous gas that MacGruber is inexplicably in possession of. To defeat Queeth and his plan, MacGruber enlists the help of his estranged partners like his ex-wife Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) and Dixon Piper (Ryan Philippe). MacGruber faces some animosity from General Barrett Fasoose (Laurence Fishburne), who has begrudgingly brought Forte’s character into the fold, and is also living with Vicki. 

All of this is presented with the same orange and blue sheen of the original, to place him in a Michael Bay universe, and that becomes one of many ways that the series more or less continues what the movie was giving viewers (Taccone, who directs many episodes in the series, directed the original film). The action in general is well done too, a part of how this show uses its self-aware nature and sharpness to then actualize the very dumb, very silly violence that is MacGruber’s raison d’etre. 

As someone used to scouring the 90-minute movie for more jokes to laugh about, it’s strange to have so many good one-liners, bizarre scenarios, and inspired performance moments from Forte and co. to sift through here. It was always a story that thrived on its fast-and-furious nature, but this series keeps much of that energy with its twists (the main villain keeps changing in surprising ways) and also humor. The flaws here are more from the expanse: a character who could use some punching up here (Zane’s character seems like a missed opportunity), or a strand of plotting that seems out of control there. But it’s only in the moments that fill in backstory about personal drama and family that it starts to feel a little rambling, as it tries to give some focus to relationships that are nonetheless a part of an overall sarcastic world, where the non-action scenes should be as funny and punchy as the blowing up sequences. So while it might be amusing to see characters played by Kristen Wiig and Laurence Fishburne work through their love life, it also reads like a show killing time. 

But when it gets back to Forte and whatever dimwitted plan is forming in MacGruber’s head, this series proves why the character deserves such an epic resurrection, and a second season. Forte has created such a unique sense of humor with this character, this soldier of fortune who mutters one-liners to himself as if he’s living in the gory, hypersexual action movie that he’s seen a thousand too many times. You can never predict what prim, ridiculous insult will come out of his mouth (“little f**king dumbass Dilbert fan”) or what over-the-top way of violence he will unleash as nonetheless the dumbest guy in the room. The show almost hints at a type of timelessness to himself, that he wasn’t only parodying Michael Bay jingoism or the series “MacGyver,” but all the ridiculous ideas of the fabled American hero. MacGruber is the curdled id of all who came before him, and the writers and creators still have plenty of reflective gags about that significance in their arsenal. He is our idiot. 

You can view the original article HERE.

Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
Banks announces fifth album ‘Off With Her Head’ with impassioned new single ‘Best Friends’
Banks announces fifth album ‘Off With Her Head’ with impassioned new single ‘Best Friends’
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!