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I rented a copy when I was 15 No paddle from a local video store and was charged with failure to return the title. Since I was the last person on record to review the movie and it wasn’t in their inventory, and I wanted to continue renting movies, I reluctantly parted with over $80 to keep myself in good standing with the owner. A few years later, I found a DVD case firmly wedged between the sections of my entertainment center and No paddle as a result, it is still the most expensive film in my collection.
Now that No paddle is streaming NetflixI wonder if it was ever worth paying such a hefty fee for a critically acclaimed comedy starring Seth Green, Matthew Lillard and Dax Shepard. After streaming title (I’ve lost the DVD again, but it’s floating around somewhere), I can be sure I don’t regret it – as stupid as No paddle may be, it’s the ultimate easy-going early childhood survival comedy, and exactly the kind of movie critics hate but fans of slapstick, low-brow humor will eat up.
Best Buds Reconnecting
No paddle centers on three adult childhood friends: Dan (Seth Green), Jerry (Matthew Lillard) and Tom (Dax Shepard). After succumbing to the drudgery of adult life, three friends reunite to celebrate the life of their recently deceased friend Billy (Anthony Starr). Billy was known as a well-traveled adventure enthusiast and died parasailing in Costa Rica during one of his many risky trips.
Dan is a well-heeled doctor who owns a successful private practice, but has trouble meeting women because he’s the kind of hypochondriac who’s afraid of things like plastic wrap. Jerry is a disinterested but successful businessman who would rather spend all his free time surfing, which makes his girlfriend Denise (Bonnie Somerville) question his commitment to their relationship. Rounding out the trio is Tom, a compulsive liar who also happens to be the least successful but most confident member of the group.
In search of hidden treasure
Gathering in their childhood treehouse that was shown in the opening sequence No paddleDan, Jerry and Tom reminisce about all the great times they had with Billy during their childhood before going their separate ways. While rummaging through their old possessions, they recall the blood pact they made with Billy to find a treasure hidden by a well-known con artist and adventurer named DB Cooper. Little did they know that Billy had spent most of his adult life obsessed with the legend of DB Cooper and his hidden fortune, constantly adding his findings to their tree stash in hopes of one day retracing Cooper’s footsteps.
When the three friends realize that Billy died before they could get the gang back together and find the treasure, they decide to head to Oregon in Billy’s honor to make amends for their pact.
Things keep getting worse
With little or no outdoor experience, Dan, Jerry and Tom venture into the remote wilderness No paddle with nothing but a rented kayak and a few cases of beer. Against the advice of the local sheriff (Ray Baker), they set out to find DB Cooper’s treasure, and things quickly go off the rails. Even the Native American river guide they borrowed the canoe from tells them the boat has a GPS tracker so he can retrieve it if it drowns in the roaring river they’re trying to cross, but they’re so determined they set out. with their old compass and Billy’s map.
No paddle rapidly and continuously escalates as the inexperienced group of friends fend off a ravenous bear on more than one occasion, get thrown over waterfalls, strip to their bare skin and huddle together in the rain to keep each other warm, and accidentally stumble upon a massive drug operation. two unattached hillbillies named Dennis (Abraham Benrubi) and Elwood (Ethan Suplee) during production Deliverance references (watch out for the Burt Reynolds cameo in the third act). As the gang finds themselves in ever-deeper water (literally and figuratively), their friendship and determination to celebrate Billy’s life keep them from turning back, even as their mission shifts from finding treasure to simply surviving the elements.
Goofball Energy And Chemistry
As eccentric as No paddle may be Seth GreenMatthew Lillard and Dax Shepard make it work because they come off as people you’d want to go on exactly this type of adventure with. At the very least, if I were to be killed and never found in the remote wilderness, I’d want to go out and sing Culture Club songs while being shot by a drug runner who also likes to do his best rendition of “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” between gunshots from machine guns.
At least 15 percent of the critical score on Rotten tomatoes against a Popcornmeter score of 68 percent is sufficient indication of this No paddle she found her audience. No paddle it is not a profound film that attempts to explore the arrogance of man while educating its audience about the dangers of nature.
If you want to watch someone being graphically tortured to death by a bear, you can go watch Backcountry.
If you want to sit back and laugh as three friends get in over their heads looking for hidden treasure, you can stream No paddle on Netflix.
