31 Years Ago, One of the Funniest Movies of the 1990s Was Released (And They Should Have Left It Alone)

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The Farrelly brothers were major players in 1990s comedy films, directing hits like Kingpin, There’s Something About Mary, and Me, Myself & Irene. While those were arguably their best films, they continued to make movies in the 2000s, including the creative Osmosis Jones, the well-intentioned Shallow Hal, and the surprisingly good romantic comedy Fever Pitch. In the 2010s, Hall Pass had some funny scenes, and The Three Stooges was a somewhat flawed but understandable effort to revive a classic. However, the films they made at the very beginning and end of their directing partnership are the most noteworthy.

The 1990s comedy Dumb and Dumber is a classic because it feels fresh and is packed with perfectly timed jokes and fantastic chemistry between Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. However, its 2014 sequel, Dumb and Dumber To, didn’t capture that same magic, even though Carrey and Daniels still worked well together. Why did the sequel fall so flat? Let’s explore why the original Dumb and Dumber, which is celebrating its 31st anniversary today, likely should have remained a standalone film.

Why Should They Have Left Well Enough Alone?

It’s easy to see why someone would make a sequel to Dumb and Dumber, and then another one! The original film was a huge success, earning $247.3 million at the box office from a budget of only $17 million.

Looking back, a huge part of why Dumb and Dumber blew up was the Farrelly brothers – they were really exciting new voices in comedy. And Jim Carrey? He was the key! He actually signed on to the movie first, and everything kind of revolved around him. It’s funny, because the director, Peter Daniels, was usually known for serious dramas like Terms of Endearment, but Carrey specifically asked for him, which is a big reason Daniels even got the job!

Jim Carrey reached peak popularity in 1994. He starred in several blockbuster movies, including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber was another huge success. People went to see Dumb and Dumber largely because of Carrey, who would soon be known for his role in Batman Forever.

The prequel, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, lacked the star power of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, and even the directing duo behind the original film. The title itself was strange, and it was hard to understand why audiences would be interested in seeing younger versions of Harry and Lloyd. The success of the first Dumb and Dumber relied heavily on the chemistry between Carrey and Daniels, which kept people coming back to theaters. Aside from Eric Christian Olsen’s surprisingly good impression of Jim Carrey, Dumb and Dumberer doesn’t offer much – the script is weak, and it mostly just retreads jokes from the original movie.

However, Dumb and Dumber To was a much bigger letdown. While no one expected much from Dumb and Dumberer, there was genuine hope for a good sequel when Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, and the Farrelly brothers reunited – especially since legacy sequels were popular at the time. Unfortunately, the final movie was a disorganized and surprisingly harsh film.

The original ‘Dumb and Dumber’ characters, while silly, were fundamentally kind. This new installment, however, features shockingly crude behavior – like shouting obscenities at a speaker – that feels completely out of character. It’s as if the filmmakers, despite creating Harry and Lloyd, have lost touch with who they are. While the script had six writers, including the directors themselves, the real issue is a lack of understanding of what’s funny versus what’s simply inappropriate. A moment like that isn’t a joke; it’s sexual harassment, and the experienced filmmakers should have known better.

The making of the film To was plagued with difficulties. Jim Carrey briefly left the project, and Warner Bros. Pictures abandoned it. Red Granite Pictures then took over, but the company later faced legal charges from the U.S. Department of Justice for using stolen funds linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. Looking back, it was clear the film was destined for trouble.

The movie relies too heavily on absurd, unbelievable jokes – even for these characters (seriously, did Lloyd pretend to be catatonic for twenty years just for a prank?). It’s also bogged down by a complicated story and too many celebrity cameos. The bright spot is Rachel Melvin, who gives a great performance as Harry’s daughter.

The original Dumb and Dumber is still a really funny movie. It’s perfect for watching around Christmas thanks to its snowy Aspen location, not because of a character’s name.

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2025-12-17 02:16