The Love Guru marks the live action return of funny man Mike Myers. It's been five years since the one time Saturday Night Live veteran virtually destroyed everything we hold dear about Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat. Does he vindicate himself with his latest cinematic creation? Well, the good news is this is better than Cat in the Hat. The bad news is . . . that's not saying all that much.

In The Love Guru, Mike Myers is the title character, a zany individual who has the uncanny ability to save relationships at will. Guru Pitka, as he's called, is hired to help a pro hockey player (played by Romany Malco) reconnect with his estranged wife after she leaves him for a rival athlete (played by Justin Timberlake). As Pitka works his wonders, he soon discovers that he may have feelings for the owner of the team (played by Jessica Alba).

Can you say, "more of the same?" That's exactly what The Love Guru is. He's simply a blended version of all the characters Myers has played through the years, only here, he has that dopey accent and a big bushy beard. Of course all this would be fine if the movie brought the funny. While The Love Guru does offer up a few big laughs and a couple of sweet natured moments, they don't add up to much because the stuff that doesn't work is positively excruciating to sit through.

Myers does commit. It's fun watching him tell a joke or doing one of his infamous play on words, because he's so joyful in his delivery that you almost feel like you owe him the laugh. He really works for it. Unfortunately, The Love Guru is saddled by painfully unfunny dick and fart jokes and a severe lack of visual bravado. Save for a nifty little Bollywood send up, The Love Guru is pretty dull to look at. The Wayne's World series and So I Married An Axe Murderer weren't exactly brimming with visual flare either, but they were far funnier films. The Austin Powers series had the best of both worlds. They were hilarious and cool to look at.

On the positive side, Jessica Alba does an passable job here. But then, it should be noted all she's asked to do is stand around and look good. Justin Timberlake is funny for about five minutes, but his nutty persona wears thin quickly. Verne Troyer was much more effective in the Austin Powers series. He was funnier and he brought an endearing sense of purpose to Mini-Me. As the blow hard hockey coach in The Love Guru, he's just annoying. He does have one priceless one liner during the end credits however. Romany Malco is somewhat appealing in a throwaway role. Even when he's brash and arrogant, there's a likable quality about him. After supporting roles in 40 Year Old Virgin, Blades of Glory, and Baby Mamma, it's time this guy gets a more meaningful part.

Ultimately, The Love Guru is pretty forgettable. This is clearly Myers' worse effort outside of The Cat and the Hat. The lack of plot is perfectly fine. The problem is this film is lacking in energy. Worst of all, I expect to laugh more than ten times during a Mike Myers vehicle. This was a big disappointment.

Grade: C