Author Robert Scucci
| | Published 12 seconds ago

When I was 15 years old, I borrowed this booklet Without a Paddle from a local video store, and was accused of not returning the title. Since I was the last person on record to see the movie and it wasn’t on their schedule, and I wanted to continue renting movies, I reluctantly parted with $80 to keep myself safe with the owner. A few years later, I found a DVD case stuck between the sections of my entertainment center, and Without a Paddle it is still the most expensive film in my category as a sequel.

Now that Without a Paddle it continues NetflixI wonder if it was worth paying such a fine for the comedy of Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, and Dax Shepard. After streaming the title (I also lost the DVD but it’s floating around somewhere), I can be sure I won’t regret it – silly if Without a Paddle perhaps, it’s the best high-life drama that exists in the early going, and the kind of film that critics hate but fans of cheeky comedy can eat up.

Best Buds Connection

Without a Paddle tells the story of three childhood friends: Dan (Seth Green), Jerry (Matthew Lillard), and Tom (Dax Shepard). After succumbing to the drudgery of adulthood, the three friends reunite to celebrate the life of their recently deceased friend, Billy (Anthony Starr). Billy was known as an avid traveler, and died while sailing in Costa Rica on one of his most dangerous adventures.

Dan is a shy doctor with a successful private practice, but he has trouble meeting women because he is a hypochondriac who is afraid of things like plastic. Jerry is an apathetic but successful businessman who would rather spend all his free time surfing, causing his girlfriend, Denise (Bonnie Somerville), to question his commitment to their relationship. Rounding out the trio is Tom, a compulsive liar who also happens to be the youngest but most confident member of the group.

In Search of Hidden Treasures

Gathering in their childhood treehouse shown in the opening credits Without a PaddleDan, Jerry, and Tom reminisce about all the good times they had with Billy in their childhood before they went their separate ways. As they dig through their past, they are reminded of the blood pact they made with Billy who discovered hidden treasure and a famous artist and racer named DB Cooper. Little did he know, Billy had spent much of his old life obsessed with the legend of DB Cooper and his hidden fortune, and had only added to his findings on their tree trunks in the hope that one day he would follow in Cooper’s footsteps.

Realizing that Billy is dead before they can bring back the gang and find the treasure, the three friends decide to travel to Oregon in Billy’s honor to make good on their deal.

Things keep getting worse

Being inexperienced, Dan, Jerry, and Tom head out into the wilderness Without a Paddle with nothing but a rented kayak and a few beers. Against the advice of the local sheriff (Ray Baker), he sets out to find DB Cooper’s treasure and things quickly get out of hand. Even the Native American river guide who rents the boat tells them that the boat has a GPS tracker so they can retrieve it if it sinks in the roaring river they are trying to cross, but they are determined to set off. it’s their old compass and Billy’s map anyway.

Without a Paddle fast and relentlessly it escalates as the inexperienced group fights off a ravenous bear several times, is thrown over a waterfall, stripped naked and huddled in the rain to keep warm, and accidentally encounters a major drug operation. two unmovable mountains named Dennis (Abraham Benrubi) and Elwood (Ethan Suplee) while creating To be saved references (check Burt Reynolds third scene). As the gang finds themselves increasingly in deep waters (literally and figuratively), their friendship, and their dedication to celebrating Billy’s life keeps them from backing down even as their mission shifts from treasure hunting to survival.

Goofball Energy and Chemistry

Amazing like Without a Paddle perhaps, Seth GreenMatthew Lillard, and Dax Shepard make it possible because they come across as people you would want to get into this type of situation. At the very least, if I was about to be killed but not found in the remote desert, I would want to go to Culture Club and get shot by a drug runner who also likes to belt out his best single “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” amid gunfire.

At least, 15 percent harder Rotten Tomatoes against Popcornmeter’s 68 percent and show that Without a Paddle he found his audience. Without a Paddle it’s not a serious film that tries to explore human hubris while teaching its audience a lesson about the dangers of the great outdoors.

If you want to see someone get mauled to death by a bear, you can go watch it Backcountry.

If you want to sit back and laugh as three friends get in over their heads in search of hidden treasure, then you can stream. Without a Paddle on Netflix.