'Year One' (PG-13)(out of four)

OK, the new comedy "Year One" is kind of all over the place when it comes to what time period it's supposed to be set in. It starts out being about cavemen, but then later the characters are smack in the middle of events with major biblical characters. It really doesn't make a lot of sense if you're an expert in Paleolithic studies, but heck, it's just a movie -- and one that boasts a lot of top-notch talent both in front of and behind the camera.

The always facially expressive Jack Black stars as Zed, a trash-talking early man who fails to walk the walk when it comes to hunting for food or seducing women in his small tribe. He's expelled from the group, but is soon joined by his pal, Oh (Michael Cera).

Oh is a sensitive gatherer in a tribe filled with hunters, and lacks the confidence to effectively pursue the waif-like Eema (Juno Temple), who he adores from afar. Zed, meanwhile, has the hots for her pal Maya (June Raphael).

Unfortunately, she's leaning towards someone who is more reliable when it comes to bringing home dinner. The two men start to explore the world beyond their hunting/gathering ground and run into those legendary battling brothers -- Cain and Abel (David Cross and Paul Rudd). In a scene that goes on too long and is surprisingly brutal, Cain eliminates his brother, and sets up the story so his character can keep popping up throughout the movie. That's not such a bad thing since Cross is an entertaining presence.

The background gets more biblical as the pair find themselves on a mission to rescue their women after they've been forced into slavery in the original Sin City – Sodom (as in "Sodom and Gomorrah"). Along the way they run into Abraham (Hank Azaria) as he's about to sacrifice his son, and later wind up smack in the middle of palace intrigue with the royal family.

"Year One" was directed by veteran actor-filmmaker Harold Ramis ("Ghostbusters" and "Stripes.") The credits for Ramis go back a long way -- including writing the script for "Animal House." He shares screenplay credit here with Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, who've written and produced episodes of the acclaimed comedy "The Office."

Together they're written a few clever scenes, with Cera getting some of the best moments. He delivers his lines in a perfect, understated, deadpan manner.

A real highlight is Oliver Platt as a kinky high priest. He's delightfully over-the-top as he begs Cera to rub warm oil over his body. Unfortunately, there's just not that many laugh-out-loud scenes in the movie. One big problem is there's too much material that goes too far. There were plenty of groans from the audience during scenes involving bodily functions; or when the high priest tries to read a pile of sheep entrails like tea leaves.

Were those scenes really necessary? Or did Ramis and producer Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up") not realize that there's a time to reel it in? In the end, "Year One" has some moments -- but it's a movie in need of a lot more evolving.