The Internship: A Comic Review

"The Internship" presents itself as a potentially successful comedy, much like "The Wedding Crashers," promising gut-busting laughs from the familiar duo of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. However, similar to their previous collaboration, the film delivers a bland, paint-by-the-numbers comedy, offering only fleeting moments of amusement and lacking sustained entertainment.

A Missed Opportunity

The PG-13 rating, intended to broaden the audience, ironically contributes to the film's shortcomings. Instead of a genuinely funny narrative, "The Internship" feels like an extended advertisement for Google, overshadowing its comedic aspirations. Wilson and Vaughn essentially reprise their typical roles, indistinguishable from one another, further diminishing the film's originality.

Plot Overview

Billy (Vaughn) and Nick (Wilson), seasoned salesmen accustomed to selling watches, scooters, and mattresses, find themselves unemployed. In a seemingly random decision, they apply for internships at Google, hoping for permanent positions. Despite their lack of computer skills, their awkward yet sincere interview lands them summer internships at Google's campus.

As the oldest interns by over two decades, Billy and Nick hope to combine their old-school salesmanship and leadership with the younger generation's tech-savviness, providing them with a chance to restart their careers. The interns are divided into teams and compete in challenges, including tech support, app creation, and even a Quidditch match, with the winners securing Google jobs.

Character Dynamics

Nick and Billy are teamed up with a group of intelligent but socially awkward young adults: Stuart (Dylan O'Brien), the aloof hipster; Yo-Yo Santos (Tobit Raphael), the bright Asian student with strict parents; Neha (Tiya Sircar), the sci-fi and anime enthusiast; and Lyle (Josh Brener), the team leader lacking confidence. Although the actors perform admirably, the one-dimensional nature of their characters limits their potential.

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Meanwhile, Graham (Max Minghella) serves as the antagonist, a British student devoid of friendship and determined to undermine the misfit team. Minghella's performance, while effective, borders on irritating.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Vaughn and Wilson maintain their signature humor, but the script restricts their ability to explore new comedic territory. Director Shawn Levy, known for the "Night at the Museum" films, effectively showcases Google's environment.

The core message of "The Internship" holds promise, but the execution falls short. The predictable plot and recycled humor undermine the film's potential. Despite a talented cast, "The Internship" lacks the necessary elements for lasting success.

Trailer Gaffe and Unfunny Premise

The film's trailer reveals a significant flaw: the biggest joke involves Vaughn and Wilson being tricked into searching for Professor Xavier at Stanford, only to be humiliated. This scene epitomizes the film's lack of genuine humor and its excessive two-hour runtime.

The movie relies heavily on the personalities of Vaughn, Wilson, and Levy. Vaughn's obnoxious and egotistical side overshadows Wilson's usual quirky demeanor, while Levy delivers his expected mediocrity.

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A Glorified Advertisement

"The Internship" functions primarily as a promotional tool for Google, portraying the company as a utopian workplace where interns play Quidditch to determine their job qualifications. The film's premise is further undermined by the fact that Vaughn and Wilson's characters lose their watch salesman jobs because of the prevalence of smartphones.

The film perpetuates the "slobs vs. snobs" trope, with the duo teaming up with stereotypical characters to compete against a snooty British antagonist for jobs at Google. The comedic exchanges between Vaughn and Wilson are often grating or uninspired.

Saving Graces

The supporting cast, including O'Brien, Sircar, Raphael, Minghella, and Jessica Szohr, deliver commendable performances, adding warmth to their roles. Rose Byrne, as a Google supervisor, provides much-needed energy and attempts to elevate the humor.

Problematic Portrayals of Women

The film features stereotypical and negative portrayals of women, depicting them as covertly sexual, superficial, or overbearing. Vaughn's constant references to "Flashdance" and the inclusion of a scene at a strip club further highlight the film's misguided nature.

A Glimpse of Reality

A brief scene acknowledges the bleak job prospects facing college graduates, but the film ultimately dismisses this reality by celebrating the success of a select few.

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"The Internship" as a Furry Comic Series

"The Internship" is also a furry comic series created by Jackaloo, which began on July 1st, 2016, and is ongoing. The series centers on 25-year-old Andrew (Andy) Oleander, a grad school student navigating his career. After a bet with his old rival, Cooper Estevez, goes awry, Andy receives an enticing offer from Emery Waldren. The story explores the love triangle between Andy, Cooper, and Emery.

Andy faces new experiences and learns to follow his heart as he develops throughout the series. He must choose between his childhood friend Cooper, for whom he has harbored feelings but knows isn't ready to come out, and Emery, the wealthy CEO who offers him an internship and gradually charms him.

The comic series includes:

"The Internship Vol. 1"
"Summer's Gone" (Cooper's backstory)
"The Internship Vol. 2"
"Falling Flat" (Emery's backstory)
"The Internship Vol. 3"
"Winter Blossoms" (Andy and Cooper's college days)
"The Internship Vol. 4" (announced)

The first issue is available for purchase online, and the comic can be supported on Patreon.

Tropes in the Comic Series

The comic series features various tropes, including:

Abusive Parents: Cooper's abusive, homophobic father.
Affectionate Nicknames: Andy calls Cooper "Coop," and Cooper calls Andy "Dee."
Age-Gap Romance: Andy (24) and Emery (42).
All Gays are Promiscuous: Subverted by Emery's initial offer.
All Girls Want Bad Boys: Chelsea's attraction to Cooper.
Am I Just a Toy to You?: Andy's fear of being used by Emery.
Amicable Exes: Emery and his ex-wife.
Anguished Declaration of Love: Andy to Cooper.
Attractive Bent-Gender: River, a nonbinary character who dresses in drag.
Badass in a Nice Suit: Emery Waldren, a former Marine and CEO.
Bathtub Bonding: Andy and Emery.
Betty and Veronica: Emery and Cooper as Andy's suitors.
Beware the Nice Ones: Andy's violent slap to Cooper.
Big Ol' Eyebrows: Emery's prominent eyebrows.
The Big Damn Kiss: Emery and Andy's first kiss, and Andy and Cooper's kisses.
Big Prick, Big Problems: Andy's initial discomfort with Emery's size.
Black Bead Eyes: Used in chibi-style drawings.
Blind Without 'Em: Andy's reliance on his glasses.
Camp Gay: River's campy persona.
Cast Full of Gay: The main characters are gay/bi men (except Chelsea).
Caught with Your Pants Down: Downplayed with Emery.
The Cutie: Chelsea and Kate.
Dark and Troubled Past: Cooper's upbringing.
Deadpan Snarker: The cast, particularly Emery's ex-wife.
Disguised in Drag: River's drag performances.
Dreaming of Things to Come: Andy's fantasies.
The Dog Bites Back: Andy's slap to Cooper.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: River's appearance in drag.
Fag Hag: Chelsea and Kate.
Flipping the Bird: Andy's gestures.
Freudian Excuse: Cooper's internalized homophobia.
Friendly Rivalry: Andy and Cooper's relationship.
Gag Penis: Emery's large member.
The Gentleman or the Scoundrel: Emery and Cooper.
The Glasses Gotta Go: Andy's choice to wear contacts.
Gone Horribly Right: Cooper's sabotage attempt backfires.
Green-Eyed Epiphany: Cooper's jealousy and Andy's insecurities.
Guy on Guy Is Hot: Chelsea's encouragement of Andy's relationship with Emery.
Heterosexual Life-Partners: Andy and Cooper initially.
Hidden Depths: Cooper and Emery's complexities.
Hot Skitty-on-Wailord Action: Andy and Emery's initial sexual encounter.
Idealized Sex: Subverted by Andy's discomfort.
The Ingenue: Andy's initial naivety.
Jerkass: Cooper and Fletcher.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Cooper.
Jive Turkey: Fletcher's persona.
Lady in Red: Chelsea's dress.
The Loins Sleep Tonight: Cooper's erectile dysfunction with Chelsea.
Laser-Guided Karma: Andy's job offer after Cooper's sabotage.
Love Triangle: Andy, Cooper, and Emery.
Lover and Beloved: Emery and Andy's relationship.
Malicious Misnaming: Andy's contact name for Cooper.
Manly Gay: Emery and Fletcher.
Mistaken for Gay: Waldren's job offer.
My God, What Have I Done?: Cooper's regret and Emery's remorse.
My Greatest Failure: Emery's failed marriage.
Nice Guy: Emery.
No Bisexuals: Discussed by Chelsea, River, Gary, and Jenn.
Non-Human Non-Binary: River's identity as a furry character.
Office Romance: Andy and Emery's relationship.
Poor Communication Kills: Emery's secrecy about his ex-wife.
Porn with Plot: The series' detailed sex scenes.
Power is Sexy: Andy's attraction to Emery.
Queer Romance: The love triangle between three men.
Raging Stiffie: Cooper's attempt to sabotage Andy.
Rich Suitor, Poor Suitor: Emery and Cooper.
Scars Are Forever: Emery's heart surgery scars.
Semper Fi: Emery's Marine background.
Sex Equals Love: Andy and Emery's evolving relationship.
Sex for Services: Andy's internship offer.
Shipper on Deck: Chelsea's support for Andy and Emery.
Sleeping with the Boss: Andy and Emery's relationship.
Splash of Color: The use of color in backstory comics.
Straight Gay: Subverted by Fletcher and River.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Andy's argument with Cooper.
The Twink: Andy's initial persona.
Troubled, but Cute: Cooper.
Virginity Flag: Andy's virginity.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Cooper's childhood fox friend.
What the Hell, Hero?: Andy's confrontation with Emery.
Where the Hell Is Springfield?: The generic setting.
Wholesome Crossdresser: River.

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