"The Machine" is an extended version of Bert Kreischer's famous comedy act. It's a story based on Kreischer's college adventures in Russia where he fell in with the Russian mob. It mirrors early-2000s comedy films, making its concept plausible on paper.
In the movie, Jimmy Tatro represents young Kreischer. However, Tatro only appears later in the film. The film begins with Kreischer, as himself, dealing with fame from his viral comedy routine. His party habits, amplified by fame, are affecting his family life and boosting his podcast ratings. Additionally, a Russian mobster whose family watch was stolen during Kreischer's escapades targets him. The mobster's daughter Irina (Iva Babić) is sent to bring Kreischer back to Russia to find the watch.
The movie starts with Kreischer's present-day life, introducing viewers to his tense family life. His teenage daughter Georgia (Jessica Gabor) and nagging father Albert (Mark Hamill) create friction. Albert joins him on his Russian trip. The movie requires a high level of familiarity with Kreischer's story, creating potential alienation for the uninitiated.
The film's creators face a dilemma. Retell the story and risk boring fans or expand on it and risk losing new audiences? "The Machine" tries both but leans towards the latter. It has Kreischer revisiting his famous story without its original humor and adds reflection. It might be the first legacy sequel to a standup special, only seven years after the original.
The film could have benefited from a clearer timeline. The timing of events seems inconsistent with Kreischer's on-screen age and pop-culture references. The original routine may have explained this.
The film has some funny moments, including dad-like jokes from Albert and gross-out gags. Only Irina among the Russians brings comic relief.
Peter Atencio, the film's director, has a background in sketch comedy. In "The Machine", he leans more towards cinematic effects than visual humor. This results in a movie that is stylish yet not very humorous. The film's climax attempts to give Kreischer personal growth, based on an unlikely premise about a comedian's protective role. The movie's bid to mix vodka-fuelled action with life lessons about balance feels misguided.
