It’s a rare occurrence that I’m able to see a film and write a review before the film is available to the general public. Thanks to the my membership in the AMC Stubs program, which is somewhat similar to rewards program currently at Starplex Cinemas in Hays, I was able to attend an early screening on Dumb and Dumber To” last week. This sequel to the 1994 comedy classic will come to theaters on Nov. 14.

Making a sequel to “Dumb and Dumber” is like getting the band back together. I understand how borderline sacrilegious this will sound, but making a sequel to “Dumb and Dumber” shares more than a few similarities with making a sequel to “The Shawshank Redemption.” The initial reaction to such thoughts is that it simply cannot be done. I maintain that a sequel to “Shawshank” cannot, and should not, be done; however, the Farrelly brothers have done the near-impossible and have made a “Dumb and Dumber” sequel that pays reverence to the original, while succeeding in its own right.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their roles as Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne a full 20 years after the original film. That distance in time has done little to change the characters, and the filmmakers very wisely choose to keep the tone of the original and insert a new roster jokes. Too often comedy sequels try to up the ante but not only evolving the story but also end up evolving the style of comedy. “Dumb and Dumber To” strikes a perfect balance between keeping true to the spirit of the original while at the same time doing more than simply rehashing the existing jokes. Put plainly, “Dumb and Dumber To” tells new “Dumb and Dumber” jokes.

I admit to being worried during the first 10-15 minutes of this film. It’s a difficult story to get off the ground; but once the film gets up to speed the completely inane and largely successful humor is pervasive. Surprisingly, newcomer Rachel Melvin very admirably stands toe-to-toe with Carrey and Daniels and is the requisite breath of fresh air that could very well lead to a satisfying third installment.

Make no mistake, “Dumb and Dumber To” is stupid. It’s the kind of stupid that fans of the original will enjoy, but it is incredibly stupid nonetheless. There are a few flat moments, but the highest praise I can give is this: when word first reached my ears that a true sequel to one of my favorite comedies of all time was being made — this is the type of film that I was hoping for.

5 of 6 stars