Absolutely Anything (2015)

Simon Pegg has had 2 great films on his schedule this year with Mission Impossible Rogue Nation and Man Up. From the trailer this film looked very good. A British Bruce Almighty featuring Monty Python as aliens? Yeah safe to say i was on board. Whilst this film falls flat in many places and doesn't satisfy as much as its trailer i had fun with Absolutely Anything.

The story follows an average school teacher called Neil Clarke, played by Simon Pegg. Out of nowhere some eccentric aliens played brilliantly by the Python cast give him the power to do whatever he wants. If he succeeds in doing good they will spare the earth from destruction. Neil decides to use these powers to get the hot woman from downstairs along with help from his dog who he gives the power to talk. Robin Williams voices Neil's dog Dennis in what is his final role. It was nice to get to see the last project Williams worked on, Absolutely Anything doesn't give us the perfect goodbye to the screen legend, but seeing him in the end credits in person was emotional and put a smile on my face to see him joking and happy.

The film does have flaws. As i mentioned the aliens just appear from nowhere, what really didn't work for me though was the editing between their story and Neil's. You can tell Terry Jones directed this film because he uses the trick of cutting between the scenarios in a quirky way. Whilst this works with Monty Python, in a feature film with a plot such as this it felt weird and out of place. The story with Rob Riggle's character also wasn't needed. It made the film seem much longer than it was and the film should really have focused on the story of Neil and Kate Beckinsale's character. The real relationship to look out for though is of course Neil and Dennis. Williams and Pegg played off of each other very well and Robin Williams in particular stole every scene he appeared in which was great.

Overall Absolutely Anything isn't a great movie, but with a simple plot and a few laughs here and there i will say it is worth giving it a watch. Eddie Izzard has a small role which again was hilarious and gave him the power to steal his scenes as much as Williams. I feel with better editing and more of a focus on the main plot the film could have been better. I loved hearing the Python cast back for a reunion, but i honestly would have preferred to have just seen another Python film. Simon Pegg really keeps this film together with his likability so overall i give Absolutely Anything a 6.5/10