A well-placed and wise-as-always quote from George W. Bush kicks off Step Brothers, Will Ferrell's latest movie about mediocre American men.

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."

It's funny on the surface, but then you remember an American president said it, and it gets depressing. The same can be said for Step Brothers. It's a hilarious concept, but when delved into too deeply it becomes sad.

Underachievers Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) are dopey, jobless, friendless, 40-year-old men who live at home with their single parents. Dale manages a fantasy baseball team; Brennan was recently laid-off from PetSmart.

As their parents leave for work, Dale starts his day by playing Guitar Hero, Brennan gets cozy with exercise videos.

Brennan and Dale are united under the same roof when their respective parents meet, fall in love and marry in the blink of an eye.

The two instantly hate each other, and a string of violent, disgusting, profanity-filled attacks follow.

The characters are mash-ups of other beloved Ferrell-McKay-Apatow characters.

Ferrell has a habit of playing brainless man-boys who have avoided growing up because they have some marketable skill. If Ricky Bobby had never climbed into that Wonderbread car and if Ron Burgundy wasn't so damn good at reading the news, they could easily have become one of these lonely, unemployed 40-year-old virgins.

Despite the obvious comparisons, these characters aren't as funny as their predecessors. The first 45 minutes are slapstick genius, but the movie eventually takes a serious turn, which kills it.

Thinking seriously about the situation these men are in is just depressing.

There are moments of comedic brilliance in this film. Brennan and Dale, wearing matching tuxedos, doubleteam interviewers while searching for jobs.

Surprisingly, their strategy doesn't work so well.

Brennan's successful Tom-Cruise-look-a-like brother Derek's idea of quality family time involves singing Guns 'N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine" in his mini-van while his kids harmonize in the back seat.

Derek, played by Adam Scott, has been upstaging Brennan all his life.

After a high school talent show in which Brennan and his beautiful singing voice -- which Dale points out "is like a combination of Fergie and Jesus" -- is beaten by Derek lip syncing along with "Ice, Ice Baby," his hatred for Derek is set in stone forever.

Brennan and Dale unite over their hatred for Derek, and find they have a lot in common ("If you were a girl you'd sleep with John Stamos too? High Five!")

This filthy farce is fun for a while, but as with many Will Ferrell creations, it would have made a better Saturday Night Live skit than an hour-and-a-half long movie.

Grade: C-