It's interesting how an audience's perception of what's funny can change over the years. While there are some movies that will remain funny for pretty much every generation, movies that were once considered comedy classics can go out of style. Likewise, once overlooked movies can find an audience years later.
Even as recently as the 2000s, comedy movies can now be seen in a different light. Perhaps a hidden gem now deserves recognition, or perhaps the flaws in a successful film are now more obvious. Here are some comedies from the 2000s worthy of a second chance and some that are maybe not as funny as you .
Underrated: Hot Rod (2007)
Andy Samberg attempted to make the jump from Saturday Night Live to movies with the outrageous comedy Hot Rod. Samberg stars as a wannabe daredevil who tries to raise money for his ailing step-father so he can beat him in a fair fight.
The movie was a box office bomb and only received a mixed response from critics. However, as more people find it in recent years, many have discovered that it is a brilliantly weird gem that will have you laughing until you cry.
Overrated: (500) Days Of Summer (2009)
Romantic comedies can start to get tiresome when they all follow the same basic premise. (500) Days of Summer was praised upon its release as a fresh new take on the genre. The movie jumps around in time as it looks at the beginning of a relationship, the ending, and all the stuff in the middle.
The movie does have some fun moments and a pair of likable leads, but the quirky nature of the story wears a little thing over time. Also, when revisiting the movie, it becomes clearer that the main character played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt is pretty selfish.
Underrated: Adventureland (2009)
After the success of than a Superbad knock-off.
The movie failed to make much of an impact upon its release, perhaps due to the misleading marketing. But it is certainly worth seeking out for anyone who is looking for a charming and funny teen comedy that is more intelligent than most of the films in that genre.
Overrated: Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Just based on the title, most people could probably guess that Paul Blart: Mall Cop is not going to be a high-quality film. The movie stars Kevin James as a hapless and disrespected mall cop who must become an action hero when bad guys take over his mall.
It seems strange to call Paul Blart overrated since it was torn apart by critics, but audiences were much more forgiving to this lame and lazy comedy. The movie was such a success at the box office that it got a sequel it had no right to get.
Underrated: Observe And Report (2009)
It's hard to fathom, but in 2009, there were two competing comedies about overweight and disrespected mall cops. Observe and Report was the second attempt which starred Seth Rogen as an aggressive security guard who dreams of being a police officer.
Fans quickly dismissed the movie as "the other mall cop movie", but it is a far darker and much more interesting movie than Paul Blart. Rogen has called it a comedic version of Taxi Driver and that comparison feels very accurate as it is a hilariously dark descent into madness.
Overrated: What Women Want (2000)
These days, it's hard to imagine Mel Gibson headlining a romantic comedy, but 2000 was a different time. In What Women Want, Gibson plays a self-centered womanizer who suddenly has the ability to hear women's thoughts.
While it is an interesting premise for the comedy, it is hard not to be creeped out by the whole thing. Seeing a man use this ability to invade women's privacy, seduce them, and even get ahead of them professionally does not make for a great light-hearted comedy.
Underrated: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
At a time when musical biopics like Walk the Line and Ray were really taking off, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story was a perfect parody of the genre. John C. Reilly stars as the titular and fictional country music star in look at his entire life.
The movie was a flop and the box-office and received a mixed response from critics. However, especially with the resurgence in music biopics, this is a perfect time to check out its hilarious take on these movies and their tropes.
Overrated: Meet The Fockers (2004)
While Meet the Parents was not a totally original comedy, it succeeded thanks to the onscreen pairing of Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro and the grounded comedy hijinks. Meet the Fockers decided to continue the mishaps as the gang meets the entire Focker family.
Any restraint the first film showed disappears this time around. The film embraces the most juvenile and lazy slapstick jokes yet still managed to be an even bigger hit than the first film and inspired an even worse third film.
Underrated: Black Dynamite (2009)
Michael Jae White is best known for his action movie roles, but he proved himself to be a truly gifted comedian in Black Dynamite. White plays the titular ultra-cool detective in this loving homage and parody of the blaxploitation genre of the 1970s.
The movie only received a small release and was largely overlooked despite vocal fans. But it is an incredibly funny and wild comedy that takes full advantage of its low-budget production. It should even please fans who don't know anything about the blaxploitation genre.
Overrated: The Hangover (2009)
Before Todd Phillips was The Hangover was his biggest hit and followed a group of friends who, after a bachelor party in Las Vegas, wake up with no memory of the night before and no sign of the groom.
Though the mystery element of the story was interesting and there are some funny moments from the cast, it's hard to see why this became such a massive hit and spawned a trilogy. The jokes feel obvious and offensive for the sake of being offensive while the movie is filled with unlikable characters we're supposed to cheer for.
