The hit HBO show Entourage has gathered a hardcore, almost cult-like, fan base over their eight-season run on the premium network. Since its conception and presentation in 2004, watching lead character, Vince Chase (Adriane Grenier), and his band of loyal boyhood friends has been nothing short of pure entertainment. Now, that was the show. The full length featured film desired to accomplish the same. Unfortunately, and it pains us to say this, it was a disappointment.
It should be stated that the film was never over hyped, there still seemed to be this warm welcome of sorts for the boys from Brooklyn. Doug Ellin - the creator/writer/director - has done a brilliant job getting the right cast and crew together, and generously injecting more cameos by celebrities than any other show in history. Attempting to replicate the same formula in a 104 minute run time is a very difficult task. This is possibly where Ellin somehow slipped up.
The performances by the main actors and supporting cast were spot on, as no one lost a step. However, the story and writing fell a tad short. It simply did not feel like the audience was watching a full length featured film. There was no real cinematic experience. It’s not to say this movie was terrible, because it wasn’t. But even for loyal fans, this felt like two, very long, episodes spliced together.
Ultimately, the familiar elements of the show were apparent. The cameos were good, but not great. It almost seems like Ellin and crew exhausted their contacts during the eight seasons of the show. We saw several faces from the past and new ones to spice things up a bit.
Nearing the ending credits, hardcore fans of the show would have been more satisfied if the show runner and studio decided on a final ninth season. Either that or an Ari Gold spinoff. How amazing would that be? Entourage should have taken a page from Breaking Bad, and giving Jeremy Piven a contract for a new show revolving around him. That would have been a better choice over an entire so called film. We recommend you watch it at least once. After that, well, possibly go back to season one?
