
Village Voice
Like past-his-peak Perot, The Campaign is basically a footnote, a goof on our broken political system that's good for a certain novelty, but as a challenge to the dominant order? It's ultimately impotent.
Full reviewWill Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis are two competing South Carolina politicians who duke it out for congressional supremacy in this comedy, directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents).
When long-term congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naïve Marty Huggins (Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center.
At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest choice but, with the help of his new benefactors, a cut-throat campaign manager and his family's political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives Cam plenty to worry about.
LessLike past-his-peak Perot, The Campaign is basically a footnote, a goof on our broken political system that's good for a certain novelty, but as a challenge to the dominant order? It's ultimately impotent.
Full reviewRoach, who also counts such lowbrow laffers as 'Austin Powers' and 'Meet the Fockers' on his resume, manages to keep things broad without sacrificing smarts.
Full reviewThere's no suspense, even as Galifianakis's bone-dry earnestness sometimes kicks the movie into a realm of stealth drama.
Full reviewFour minutes of Bush on SNL is just right, but 85-minutes of Cam Brady feels like a lot, even with a strong supporting cast that includes Jason Sudeikis as Cam's campaign manager and Katherine LaNasa as Cam's picture-perfect, but mean-as-nails wife.
Full reviewToo soft and silly to be satire, too upbeat to be a cautionary tale, the film is a fun-house fable that both exaggerates and understates the absurdities of our democracy in this contentious election year.
Full reviewWhile leads Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis are amusingly on point as a pair of mud-slinging contenders for Congress, the platform is a wobbly political satire that flip-flops chaotically between clever and crass, never finding a sturdy comedic footing.
Full reviewThink of it as someone making a peanut butter and chocolate swirl of Mad magazine and The New Yorker - two unique tastes making one great treat.
Full reviewThe Campaign is available to stream in Australia now on Google Play and Apple TV and Foxtel and Prime Video Store.
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