Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Another of this summer's surprises, Hot Rod comes out of the gate giving us something we haven 't really had a lot of this summer. Something new. At first glance this looks like a typical dumb guy sports comedy, something in the vein of a script that was written for Will Farrell or Ben Stiller if only they were young enough to pull it off. And don't get me wrong, there's plenty of that in there. But in an era when comedy seems dominated by Judd Apatow's throw it at the wall and see what sticks improv school and the Ricky Gervais mean spirited isn't uncomfortable real life funny, it is absolutely refreshing to see someone try something different.
First of all it's evident that Samberg and company (the infamous Lonely Island comedy team which includes the films director Akiva Schaffer) have borrowed liberally from both of these schools while simultaneously placing the film in the surreal sports comedy framework. But there's a new element here, a type of comedy that can only truly be described by the words What the fuck? Completely random elements that come entirely out of left field and are absolutely original set pieces. I'm not talking about the Will Farrell completely random exclamation machine "Great Caesar's marmot anus on a stick!" These are jokes that seem to completely alter reality itself, confuse the characters and then moves on while you are doubled over laughing…at the fact that you have no clue what the fuck just happened. This really is some experimental, cutting edge stuff worked into what should be run of the mill fare.
Compounding the humor of the film is its unbridled love affair with the films and music of the 80's. But not the 80's everyone jokes about. The other 80's. The 80's we would rather forget about. Shit like Strypper and Gymkata and music videos with guys hanging around in the fog with wild jungle cats. It feels like it was written and directed by someone who watched movies like that beautiful amalgam in Muse's Knights of Cydonia and believed every last bit of that universe. That's the universe this movie's characters wish they could live in. But the humor is tempered in a way in which we're shown that through subtlety, rather than having it hammered in with Hey dude, pass the Def Leppard cassette. These are just guys who wished as kids that they had been butt rock gods, and never let go of that dream.
And it's pretty fucking funny.
Not everything works - some of it got a bit too random for the audience - and really, the movie is downright fucking stupid at times. But the humor and the charisma of the cast carry it through time and again. Having Ian McShane and Sissy Spacek as a backbone to this film grounds it and allows the leads to just go nuts. But all the hype on Samberg is legit. Same with Akiva Schaffer. Together they take an idea that, lets face it – you've seen the trailer – should not work and made it solid. These two are a great team and I honestly believe Samberg has some serious comedy star potential.
Once again Bill Hader proves his comedic worth, and while this is the second funniest movie Hader appears in this month (the first is Superbad), that is no less an accomplishment. August is officially Get to know Bill Hader month. Prepare to laugh your ass off. This guy is gonna become one of those unsung comedy guys for the next few years, setting up everyone else until the rest of the world realizes just how funny he is. Like Steve Carrell. Keep an eye on Hader. And last but not least Danny McBride, most notably of next years big thing The Foot Fist Way, really takes what he did with his big breakout role and lets it move into the next level. While it was great to see these films in their proper order, I think this will be a nice introduction to McBride and ready folks for what to expect when The Foot Fist Way finally sees general release. I'm really beginning to get a handle on why he's gone from zero to sixty on the comedy circuit. The guys a solid character actor who holds this pack together.
But above all, this film succeeds because it's got heart. A holy shitton of heart. While Samberg is essentially that dumbshit douchebag that doesn’t quite realize that he's about to become the laughingstock of youtube every time he suits up, the movie lets you feel for him. There's nothing artificial about how he connects with the audience, unlike with most of these pseudo-sports comedies. And combined with the raw charisma of Samberg and company, you can't help but give into the cheesy goodness of it all.
While I can't call it the funniest movie of the summer, Hot Rod is certainly satisfying and easily one of the more original things you're going to see. Recommended for anyone looking for a laugh this weekend.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
STUNT RAWKER!!!!!!!!!!
