A Review of ‘The Ballad of Straw-Hat Sam’: An unevenly funny dope-enhanced treasure hunt
A duo in search of some prized liquor run into bizarre challenges along the way.
‘The Ballad of Straw-Hat Sam’: An unevenly funny dope-enhanced treasure hunt
Cast: Duke Ross (voice), Victor Acosta (voice), Jennica Anusua, Rahul Barkley, Jackson Rees, Dustin Freeman (voice), Rain Tanner (voice), Kirby Dorsey (voice), Matthew Hartman (voice), Emerson Peery (voice), Jared Palmer (voice), Tommy Chong (voice), Kanye East, Salvatore Mele (voice), JiWon Moon (voice), Ali Akbari (voice), Braden Ingraham (voice), Leila Salari (voice)
Critic’s Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
Director: Duke Ross
Duration: 45 minutes
Genre: Animated, Adventure, Comedy
Language: English
Release: 2024
What’s it about?
A duo in search of some prized liquor run into bizarre challenges along the way.
Review:
If you’re in the mood for a madcap animated adventure, then The Ballad of Straw-Hat Sam won't disappoint. However, the off-the-wall comedy in this whacky odyssey is uneven - with its humour being refreshingly idiosyncratic at times, while just plain weird at others. This film which is about a couple of guys embarking on a mission to find some legendary alcohol, appears to be inspired by such outrageously comic flicks as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Withnail and I (1987) and Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (2004). But while the basic premise might be derivative, the absurdly eloquent dialogue, outlandish confrontations, digressing interludes and substance-fuelled hallucinations constitute a fairly original narrative. Yet, the end result is not altogether fulfilling and the brand of humour may not be to everyone’s taste.
Straw-Hat Sam (Duke Ross) comes into a possession of a map supposedly leading to a mythical brand of bourbon known as the Angel Teat that was created decades ago by a distiller named Thaddeus “Toothy” Timmy (Jackson Rees). Determined to find the coveted booze, Sam enlists the help of a casual acquaintance Max (Victor Acosta) - assuring the wannabe writer that their hunt is sure to make for a great book. Interestingly, though Sam is proud of his Nepalese Kukri knife, he tends to resort to the use of another weapon in the event of danger (or competition). During their travels, the pair encounter several strange creatures/people which include: a woman with scorpion-like hands, a bimbo and her frog-like friend, a rare breed of panda, an apparition of Timmy, a riddling human gatekeeper, a flippant liquor salesman, and three armed guards - each with distinctive personalities and proclivities.
It is clear that Sam and Max have to overcome these challenges, but the manner in which they do so is not particularly surprising or original. Yet the accompanying verbal exchanges compensates somewhat. Also, the scene where the adventurers have to answer three riddles is cleverly done, and a concurrent story of the belligerent panda taking control of her unusual “homeland” is sure to evoke some giggles. Meanwhile, in live action interludes, the audience is introduced to a man-woman police twosome who are investigating the trail of blood that Sam and Max have left in their wake. The peculiar dynamic of the cops’ relationship is revealed in the process, but only makes for a mildly funny joke. Plus, the anecdote of the filmmakers finding themselves up against a bizarre revolt, as well as the story of how Sam acquired his straw hat, don’t quite work.
With regard to the technical aspects of this film, there is something appealing about the minimalistic animation set against natural photo backdrops. But this is overshadowed by a generally effective script, courtesy Ross, Rahul Barkley and Kristina Lynae. There are funny observations made by Sam like when he tells Max, “Did you know that guns are responsible for a hundred per cent of the gun violence in America?” This is only one of many smirk-inducing statements from the film’s various characters. But Sam and Max’s use of intoxicants and hallucinogens could have yielded the type of “trips” that would have had some relation to their ongoing… trip. Also, Sam and Max’s final obstacle turns out to be something of an anti-climax - perhaps a tribute to the adage “The journey is more important than the destination”.
The Ballad of Straw-Hat Sam is ultimately a study in letting one’s imagination run wild and in complete defiance of logic. While the juxtaposition of animation and live action is a curious combination, there is nothing unique about this narrative ploy. The voices of the two leads occasionally sound a little like Beavis and Butt-head for those who are familiar with the animated characters. But the quirky quality of the vocal contributions are definitely engaging and well-matched to the imagery. The film’s often macabre humour and violent face-offs tend to get a tad monotonous. But what helps considerably is the articulate and sardonic nature of Timmy, although he enjoys all too little screen-time. All-in-all, The Ballad of Straw-Hat Sam is an inconsistently entertaining, though an undeniably watchable experience. It is quite fascinating to see how this daring Sam would throw his Hat in the ring… even if it is just made of Straw.
