'Your Highness'review: James Franco's a hero who saves the medieval fantasy comedy

WithJames Franco,Natalie Portman,Danny McBride,Zooey Deschanel. Broad spoof of medieval fantasy adventures. Director:David Gordon Green(1:42). R: Strong language, crude humor, violence, drugs, sexuality. At area theaters.

Why is James Franco so determined to distract us from the fact that he's a terrific actor? Even as he earns attention for shutting down hisTwitteraccount or taking 72 exams at once or being the most disconnected host inAcademy Awardhistory, it's becoming clear that his true gifts are best seen on screen.

That's also where we can most appreciate his admirable rejection of limitations. Having just earned an Oscar nod for his intense work in"127 Hours,"he tackles the juvenile lunacy of"Your Highness"with equal commitment. And rather remarkably, he makes it work.

It's Franco's straight-faced turn that grounds this proudly lowbrow caper from his"Pineapple Express"collaborators, David Gordon Green and Danny McBride.

McBride, who co-wrote the screenplay, also stars as Prince Thadeous, a regal slacker who brings a thoroughly modern attitude to OldeEngland. Perpetually resentful of his golden brother, Fabious (Franco), Thadeous prefers to hang around the castle smoking unidentified herbs, while Fabious slays dragons.

But this cushy setup is threatened when Fab's beloved (Zooey Deschanel) is kidnapped by a warlock (Justin Theroux). The king (Charles Dance) sends both his sons to rescue her, with only Fabious aware of the dangers ahead. Soon, Thadeous must prove himself against monsters, evil knights and a noble warrior (Natalie Portman) whose own quest conflicts with theirs.

McBride has written a genuinely funny script, but he can't help overplaying each crudely adolescent punchline. And as an actor, his instincts are equally broad. It's as if a chemically altered college kid watched a bunch ofJudd Apatowmovies, and then decided to remake"The Princess Bride."

The overall effect gets tiresome, but Green has wisely instructed McBride's co-stars to approach the proceedings with complete seriousness. While the majority of the cast handles this task easily (only Deschanel seems lost), Franco truly saves the day. His hilarious deadpan in the midst of utter insanity turns a bawdy goof into a most welcome lark indeed.

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