Year one film movie#

He claims to suddenly see the world in a different light, and wonders if there is more to the world than their simple existence. In a time when stories about Christianity dominate both the national conversation as well as Hollywood ( The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Exorcist, Legion, Constantine), it is understandable that a few subscribers of Judaism would want to make a film about the stories that are relevent to them-never mind that Mel Brooks already did it with History of the World, Part 1 (in which the jokes were mostly about Moses, but there was also a good scene in about the Last Supper from the New Testament).īefore they are banished for accidentally burning down their tribe's camp, Zed eats a golden apple from a tree they are forbidden from eating.

Year one film movie#

For a raunchy slap-stick comedy, that's an impressive theme to tackle so well.Basically, it seems the point of this movie was to do for the Old Testament what Monty Python's Life of Brian did for the New Testament. While this movie starts as a tale of two cavemen chasing tail, it ends as an honest exploration of religion, belief, and the human condition: a beautiful parallel to our very own growth as humans, cavemen to thoughtful responsible adults.

These two archetypes of belief are displayed very well in this movie, with each character seeing growth. Zed looks to his God for strength and purpose, while Oh seems indifferent to religion, and sees his plights as the faults of others- especially Zed. The characters face embarrassment and pain, finding new lows around every corner.

Zed and Oh are each on their own personal journey, and in very different places spiritually. Whereas this movie seems to mock religion, it becomes surprisingly deep on these themes. When the story finally settles in a more permanent location (Sodom), the plot really takes form and the movie really starts to shine. The first half of the movie, we meet some fun allies and enemies, as the protagonists bumble around a few locations. As the two seem to speedrun the Old Testament, there's plenty of funny moments and lines, especially if you're familiar with the Old Testament stories. It's fun to watch Black's character make a fool of himself, and just as fun to laugh at Cera's character's expense as he finds himself in increasingly unfortunate situations. It's a classic combination the rowdy, round Zed who thinks he's chosen by God to be a hero - and the shy downer Oh, who seems to know and accept his place in the background (Gatherer, not a hunter). Cavemen Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) are two social outcasts who don't stand a chance impressing their cavewomen crushes.

What I wasn't expecting, however, was just how much I would come to learn from these characters. Year One is crude, often cringy, and wastes no time in making a mockery of biblical stories and figures. This is what initially drew me to the movie, being a new atheist and looking for some giggles on a Tuesday night. I'll admit, when I first started watching the movie, it felt really goofy and blasphemous.