Let's Go to Prison DVD Review

by Kam Williams

DVD Features Revenge Comedy Full of Jailbird Jokes

Career criminal John Lyshitski (Dak Shepard) wants to exact a measure of revenge on the heartless judge (David Darlow) who has repeatedly put him behind bars. But when the judge dies first, John figures that the next best way to even the score is to frame the late jurist's son, Nelson Biederman IV (Will Arnett), and turn the innocent heir's life into a living hell.

For, once behind bars, Nelson will not only lose his freedom and everything near and dear to him, but he'll have to deal with the sort of scary scenarios one ordinarily encounters while incarcerated. And while this undoubtedly ain't funny in real life, Let's Go to Prison manages to milk just enough mirth out of some shopworn clichés to be worth a watch.

Based on Jim Hogshire's autobiography "You Are Going to Prison," Let's Go to Prison is a tongue-in-cheek overindulgence in gratuitous rape and other assorted recidivist rudenesses. The movie works only because the incidents feel eerily authentic while simultaneously eliciting a load of embarrassing laughs.

Though sloppily edited and strung together like a bad B-movie, the film might be considered a poor man's version of Trading Places. And while unlikely to appeal to most audiences, this flick will undoubtedly work for anyone with a taste for gruesome gallows humor, and a desire to see a spoiled, rich kid get a taste of how the other half lives.

Co-star Chi McBride delivers a convincing performance as a con who takes a romantic interest in Nelson, and the cast also includes character actor David Koechner and the picture's director Bob Odenkirk. Shockingly funny from beginning to end, from the tasting of toilet wine to enduring big house beatdowns.

Good (2 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 90 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios Home Video
DVD Extras: Alternate ending, deleted scenes, extended scenes, and behind-the-scenes soundtrack sessions.