GibbsFactor Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 For peak funny, definitely Jim Carrey. For plodding endurance, Ben Stiller.I can't think of a single thing Stiller has ever done that made me really laugh out loud. Seeing him try to shoot the moon with humor a la Zoolander is just horribly painful. He doesn't really seem to be all that talented at very much, save for impersonating a hopelessly put-upon guy in film after film. But he does a good job of surrounding himself with people more entertaining than himself, and that counts for a lot when you're making movies. Carrey's stuff has oscillated between absolutely hilarious and pitiably awful. But whether his movies soared or bombed, he has managed to be the headliner almost all of the time. And his forays into more serious roles (Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine, Man in the Moon ironically enough) have actually been really interesting, not some tangent reeking of desperation to be "taken seriously." He comes across as a pretty sympathetic guy in those roles and he's legitimately a very good actor when he isn't strumming his leg like a guitar or bending his face all up for cheap laughs. I've really never seen Ben Stiller match that kind of range. Ben Stiller gets an extra point for marrying Christine Taylor, but is also docked for directing Reality Bites, arguably the worst offender in that horrific 1990s canon of early-adult Gen X navel gazer films. Jim Carrey's Cameron Diaz movie had a hotter Cameron Diaz than Ben Stiller's Cameron Diaz movie. Point to Jim. I read an interesting review of Carrey's work about 10 years ago and the writer pointed out, "There are two dozen guys in Hollywood who could have been Truman -- but there is literally only one who could truly pull off The Mask or Ace Ventura." Regardless of your (likely low) opinion of those movies, it's an interesting point. Who else could have been Jerry Lewis in the 1950s? By contrast, I can't think of any Stiller role in which Stiller was so irreplaceable -- and he has made some real stinkers too. As a final thought, I don't really get people trying to line Carrey up with guys like Will Ferrell. Ferrell is the perfect example of a guy whose slapstick can't hold up to Jim Carrey's and whose downtrodden-guy act can't hold up to Ben Stiller's. For comedy, the guy has nothing except a single facial expression and the ability to shout. Ever since the years of Zoolander and Austin Powers, I've felt like the only guy in the room who sees that. 100% Agreement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 They're all rated higher than Adam Sandler. What a turd that guy is. Bingo. Good lord he sucks. I've never seen a single good movie involving Sandler. Hell, I can only remember one SCENE that was funny - and that was funny only because of Bob Barker, not Sandler. wHWurusOw68 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 They both suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I like Carrey in movies where he is not trying to be Jim Carrey. I think he's actually a pretty good dramatic actor, but he has a tendency to do Robin Williams level treacle on that end. Stiller makes better movies overall. Something to ponder: My favorite Jim Carrey comedy is the one Stiller directed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedr01 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Jim Carrey is 6' 2" so I'd say he has the reach because Stiller is only 5' 8". However, in many of his movies Stiller has shown up in very good shape. Looks to be very strong for his size. Man, this is too tough to call. winning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjah Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Something to ponder: My favorite Jim Carrey comedy is the one Stiller directed. [head explodes] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Okay I looked it up. Stiller directed Carrey in "The Cable Guy," which I never saw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Cable Guy wasn't really that good, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostofSparta Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Okay I looked it up. Stiller directed Carrey in "The Cable Guy," which I never saw. Wow. That movie should represent the low point in both of their careers. Matthew Broderick might have sunk lower with Inspector Gadget, but not by much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Switchgear Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Cable Guy starts slow, but by the end it's actually pretty good. Seeing Owen Wilson get his ass kicked really pulls the whole thing together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destino Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Cable guy had two scenes are really liked: The basketball scene: The fight scene: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskin Diehard Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Ben Stiller is a very funny guy but Jim Carrey is a comedic genius... not even close Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Cable Guy wasn't really that good, either. Actually when it came out I thought the same thing, and I have re-watched it and it has some pretty funny parts. I will admit it is not a high point for either one of them, but not as bad as I first thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander PK Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Jim wins if nothing else for Fire Marshal Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolio47 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 _7StsXTQhYs 0A7tLVIsuNw And the classic:80lM8ukLDns Although, lately I have liked Ben Stiller's movies more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
757SeanTaylor21 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 This is not even close. Jim carey is and always been funnier that ben stiller imo. Even fun with dick and jane was pretty funny, i was in tears when he was cuttin up lawns with a knife. Tropic thunder was a terrible movie. Ben stiller wS funny in dodgeball though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I'll go with Stiller only cause I met and got to interview him. Nice guy. He's also a very generous comedian. He's very willing to be the straight guy and let the other guy get the big laughs. Carey is a guy desperate for the spotlight and all the attention. I've enjoyed the movies of both though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolUsernameHere Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Jim Carrey's more serious roles are actually some of my favorite films. The Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Man on the Moon are all great. He's leagues above Ben Stiller as a performer, in my opinion. And Carrey is a better comedian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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