Without A Paddle (2004)

14% of critics liked it
(125 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(388,640 ratings)

Just as the old saying goes, a trio of hapless city-dwelling friends (Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, and Dax Shepard) find themselves spiraling out of control up a very brown river in this raucous comedy from Little Nicky director Steven Brill. Heading out for a weekend canoe trip in search of an… More Just as the old saying goes, a trio of hapless city-dwelling friends (Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, and Dax Shepard) find themselves spiraling out of control up a very brown river in this raucous comedy from Little Nicky director Steven Brill. Heading out for a weekend canoe trip in search of an elusive 200,000-dollar treasure, the trio must contend with everything from raging rapids to backwoods mountain men if they're ever going to uncover the secret of the missing booty. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Steven Brill
Written By: Harris Goldberg, Mitch Rouse, Jay Leggett
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 20, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Jan 11, 2005
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Scott Brown, Entertainment Weekly
Without has all the freshness of moldering Playboys stashed under a mattress, but it evokes what few boys-will-be-boys larks can: chumminess.
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice
How do you siphon the laffs from a surefire gut-busting premise like city slickers stuck in the sticks? ... you assemble a cut-rate Three Stooges, inject tired '80s nostalgia and some moralistic goo about carpe-ing the diem.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Think Road Trip meets City Slickers. Then dial the humor down a few notches, and you're left Without a Paddle.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Forget being up a raging creek without a paddle, these poor losers are lost in a wilderness that permits no comedy.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
The first half of the film is enjoyable but hit and miss. After that, it's just miss.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
A larky, throwaway movie.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Even a paddle can't keep this movie from sinking.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Shepard, Green and Lillard have good chemistry, and this bodes well considering there are three characters to play off each other rather than just two
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I kept looking and hoping for a laugh that never came. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Maybe the filmmakers should have called the picture Without a Laugh.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Gets into the male bonding mode with a casual, instinctive flair that breathes more life into the Steven Brill comedy than it may actually merit.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Gets into the male bonding mode with a casual, instinctive flair that breathes more life into the Steven Brill comedy than it may actually merit.
Russ Breimeier, Christianity Today
Without a Paddle is a sloppy effort, yet even a clichéd comedy could be fun if it actually delivered on laughs.
Mark Pfeiffer, Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
A sloppy, lowest common denominator comedy
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Average comedy, the acting is fine, but the script is pretty lame and it doesn't have a lot of good jokes.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

This is one of those comedies that though not perfect, are still very entertaining and fun. Though it isn't a perfect film, Without a Paddle is a fun, comedy that has plenty of things to offer. This is overall a mindless comedy that anyone can enjoy. Not excellent by any means,… More
This is one of those comedies that though not perfect, are still very entertaining and fun. Though it isn't a perfect film, Without a Paddle is a fun, comedy that has plenty of things to offer. This is overall a mindless comedy that anyone can enjoy. Not excellent by any means, but really fun, Without a Paddle is one of those films that you can watch with friends for a good, entertaining evening. If you're looking for a mindless amusing film, look no further than Without a Paddle. I find that this film is underrated, and though not perfect; it's a good buddy adventure comedy that does deliver good laughs and a fun viewing experience. Sure the film could have been better, but for the most part, Without a Paddle succeeds at being a decent comedy to watch, and it's not as bad as what you'd expect it would be. I laughed many times while watching this, and the cast are pretty good considering. Seth Green is always fun to watch, and he makes me laugh every time. I wouldn't recommend Without a Paddle to everyone, but those looking for a simple, mindless fun comedy; this is the perfect film to watch. The film is pure fun, and has plenty of gags to enjoy. I very much enjoyed the simplistic story, and the film overall has a good heart, and I think viewers can forgive its imperfections because in the end, Without a Paddle is a harmless whimsical comedy that can make you smile.
Directors C

I guess it's The Hangover in a completely different setting. You have Seth Green playing a doctor "the smart guy", a chilled and relaxed, rebellious guy and a not so smart, unusual guy. They are all man child characters in this very uniquely made comedy and I think it… More
I guess it's The Hangover in a completely different setting. You have Seth Green playing a doctor "the smart guy", a chilled and relaxed, rebellious guy and a not so smart, unusual guy. They are all man child characters in this very uniquely made comedy and I think it had more than enough laughs to keep one entertained. Especially with the very enthusiastic actors, I saw a lot of dedication and passion in their hilarious performances.
Shawn E

average movie, average humour.
Lady D

A watchable comedy, perhaps one that the children will like more than adults, although a little adult humour in it too. An adventure for three united friends with disastrous consequences. Watchable if you catch it on tv, but no need to rent or buy.
KJ P

Loved it! I completely disagree with the critics on this one! I highly recommend it!
Martin S

Go back to scream you fuckhead
Anthony L

Not as bad as I thought it would be. It?s a cross between the Goonies and Deliverance. It?s alright. A few absolute gems in the script upped my rating for this film though!
Dean !

A pretty decent comedy with 3 strong actors in the main parts. Quite funny as 3 city boys look to embark on one of their childhood adventure ideas, setting off on a river trip that goes from bad to worse.
Leigh R

Amusing.
E.J. B

Painfully awful and unfunny.
Lanning :

I stumbled across this on cable, and I'm actually glad I did. Never would have gone to see this in a theater, but, despite some lengthy dead spaces, there actually are some very clever lines and intelligent gags. Seth Green has been admirably held back, and this is a wake up… More
I stumbled across this on cable, and I'm actually glad I did. Never would have gone to see this in a theater, but, despite some lengthy dead spaces, there actually are some very clever lines and intelligent gags. Seth Green has been admirably held back, and this is a wake up call for me as far as Dax Shepard goes. A very smart guy who can deliver lines. I'd be curious if he can do dramatic roles as well. A talented guy. And to give Matthew Lillard his due, which I'm definitely less wont to do than Green, he's pretty good in this movie. This is definitely a find for me and worth a watch.
Dan S

Ehh...
Rachel F

freakin' hilarious, i loved it
Curtis L

Pretty funny. I like how they made fun of Creed.
Megan S

This movie is hilarious. I love Matthew Lillard. "Abort the fetal position!"
Sophie B

This was a bit freaky but funny!
Michael G

Anyone who had anything to do with the making of this movie should be burned alive. Burt Reynolds included.
Stuart B

BAD!
Aaron N

A lesson in how to take three people and make a lame, unfunny movie.
James A

I originally thought this movie would just be bad. Oddly enough this one was a crappy pile of dog shit.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Seth Green as Dan Mott

            Matthew Lillard as Jerry Conlaine

            Dax Shepard as Tom Marshall

            Ethan Suplee as Elwood

            Abraham Benrubi as Dennis

            Rachel Blanchard as Flower

            Burt Reynolds as Del Knox

            Christina Moore as Butterfly

            Bonnie Somerville as Denise

            Ray Baker as Sheriff Briggs

            Kate Harcourt as Old Woman

            David Stott as Dick Stark

            Danielle Cormack as Tony

            Carl Snell as Young Billy

            Liddy Holloway as Bonnie Newwood

            Matthew Price as Young Tom

            Anthony Starr as Billy Newwood

            Gregory Norman Cruz as River Guide

            Morgan Reese Fairhead as Sandi

            Bruce Phillips as Minister

            Susan Brady as Leslie

            Scott Adsit as Greasy Man

            Andrew Hampton as Young Jerry

            Jarred Rumbold as Young Dan

            Nadine Bernecker as Angie

            Mia Blake as Giselle

            Connor Carty-Squires as Boy Scout

            Bart the Bear
            
See full cast