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Craig — Ah, childhood - a time of rubber Chewbacca masks, bunk beds and mother-made grilled cheese sandwiches. For most folks, it ends at 18, but the main characters of "Step Brothers" will not give up the sweet life without a fight.

Newly married Nancy Huff (Mary Steenburgen) and Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins) could not have more in common: Both work in a medical profession, love sailing and have kids at home. Unfortunately, both of their kids are nearing middle age.

Nancy's son, Brennan (Will Ferrell), is a 39-year-old crybaby who spends his days in front of the TV with his hand down his pants. Robert's son, Dale (John C. Reilly), is a hardcore slacker who has not let his age of 40 get in the way of his determination to do nothing in life.

When the two families move in together, Brennan and Dale are immediately out to destroy each other. A few pranks quickly escalate to full-fledged warfare, and their parents lay down the law - get jobs or move out.

United in their refusal to contribute to the household, the two start to become best friends. This alliance proves to be even more catastrophic than their fighting, and Brennan and Dale set out to save their parents' marriage, lest they be pushed into the terrifying prospect of adulthood.

The newest team-up of Ferrell and Reilly easily tops their work together in "Talladega Nights." The Gershwin brothers and the Wright brothers are the perfect opposites of this fraternal duo, whose greatest accomplishment between them is being "the songbird of a generation" - a claim by Brennan about his singing ability made fallacious because of his crippling stage fright.

Steenburgen and especially Jenkins are great as the good cop/bad cop couple who are forced to put up with a staggering amount of failure from their pathetic progeny. In comparison, Nancy's younger son, Derek (Adam Scott), is an extremely successful businessman whose overbearing character traits make him the target of mutual hatred from Brennan and Dale.

Kathryn Hahn is a little scary as Derek's sexually starved wife, Alice, who develops an obsession with Dale that plays off like a comedic "Fatal Attraction."

Foul-mouthed and blatantly offensive every step of the way, the movie manages to be better constructed than the Matthew McConaughey misfire "Failure to Launch" or the barely released Jon Heder/Diane Keaton-starring "Mama's Boy." The story reverts to formula only when it needs to, and even then, it keeps its own style.

No, it will not appeal to everyone, especially those turned off by two grown men engaged in a knockdown, drag-out fight with elementary school kids. Parents who have children this age still living with them will probably not be amused by most of the material - with the possible exception of Brennan getting spanked by his new stepfather.

However, third time is the charm for "Anchorman" and "Talladega" director Adam McKay - who co-wrote the screenplay with Ferrell. By embracing the R rating, he defiantly makes the movie that he wants with no apologies.

You'll either laugh hysterically as Brennan and Dale tear apart the house while sleepwalking, or stare in abject horror as Brennan rubs his manhood all over Dale's treasured drum set. Chances are, you knew exactly what you were in for before buying a ticket.

Love it or hate it, "Step Brothers" will not disappoint those familiar with the work of McKay, Ferrell and Reilly, a team that is not going away any time soon. For those who don't like the three of them in the first place, simply take a step back.