I soliti idioti 3: Il ritorno

There's a certain charm in returning to characters we've known and loved, or perhaps hated, in previous cinematic adventures. With "I soliti idioti 3 - Il ritorno", this appeal to familiarity should be the film's strength, but unfortunately, it fails to deliver on its promises. Watching this film, the predominant feeling was one of growing disappointment, almost as if something essential had been lost along the way. The movie brings back the characters we know, but with a plot that feels repetitive and lacks originality. The gags that once made us laugh now seem tired and predictable. We find ourselves yearning for a spark of creativity that could breathe new life into these beloved "idiots." Instead, what we get is a series of scenes that fail to maintain rhythm or interest. From a directorial standpoint, there's little to salvage. The shot choices are banal, and the visual storytelling offers nothing new. It's as if the director rested on their laurels, rehashing the same dynamics seen in the previous films. The result is a work that lacks freshness and innovation, crucial elements for keeping the audience engaged. The performances of the main actors, once exuberant and full of life, now seem forced and devoid of the spontaneity that made them memorable. The attempt to replicate past success fails because it lacks the genuineness that characterized their initial appearances. There are moments of hilarity, but they are too few to redeem the film as a whole. The screenplay is probably the most disappointing aspect. The jokes feel recycled, and the comedic situations often come across as grotesque without being genuinely funny. It seems the writers aimed for easy laughs without much concern for narrative coherence or content quality. This results in a film that feels disorganized and, in many parts, simply boring. Another aspect that doesn't help is the soundtrack. Instead of adding value to the scenes, it often burdens them with musical choices that fail to integrate well with the action. The music, which should serve as emotional support and a connecting element, ends up being another source of distraction. Visually, the film offers nothing particularly interesting. The settings are anonymous, and the cinematography lacks the care that could make the scenes visually appealing. It's a shame to see how the potential of a set or location is not fully exploited to create a stronger visual impact. Ultimately, "I soliti idioti 3 - Il ritorno" is a film that fails to meet expectations. It has its moments, sure, but they are too rare and scattered within a plot that feels more like a collection of poorly executed sketches than a cohesive cinematic work. I cannot help but state that this series, which once seemed fresh and entertaining, has sadly become a pale shadow of its former self. Its evolution has seen a decline that, unfortunately, leaves more regrets than positive memories.