This perfect combination of stupid and hilarious features "Saturday Night Live" wunderkind Andy Samberg as Rod Kimble, a would-be stuntman who has grown up trying to live up to his long-dead father's legend as a master daredevil and test rider for Evel Knievel. Almost as important is his desire to gain the respect of his stepfather ("Deadwood's" Ian McShane), who rides him pretty hard and even pummels the poor kid to make him tougher. Rod's mom (Sissy Spacek…let me rephrase that: Academy Award-winner Sissy Spacek) allows the roughhousing begrudgingly, but can't hide her pain when she must reveal to Rod that his stepdad is dying and needs and unaffordable transplant. Rod and his crew of outcasts set out to plan and execute a stunt to raise the money.
Samberg is best known on "SNL" for his digital shorts (including a handful of legendary music videos parodies with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Natalie Portman), and HOT ROD features his "SNL" writing partners Jorma Taccone (who plays Rod's supportive stepbrother Kevin) and Akiva Schaffer, who directs the film. (The three created some fantastic shorts as The Lonely Island prior to their being hired on "SNL.") The film also features "SNL" regular Bill Hader as Dave the mechanic, and Danny McBride as Rico the guy who builds Rod's ramps. Kevin assumes the job of recording the team's efforts. Just to make the film all the more outrageous, Isla Fisher (THE WEDDING CRASHERS) shows up as Rod's old neighbor Denise, who becomes something of a team mascot and potential love interest for Rod.
What I loved about HOT ROD is the innocence and naivety of its characters. These guys aren't trying to be funny, but that doesn't stop their everyday behavior from being absolutely giggle inducing. This isn't to say that every joke hits; quite the contrary. The film has a small handful of colossal misfires that will more than likely leave the theater filled with cricket sounds. But even its failures fail spectacularly. This crew (working from a clearly reworked script by Pam Brody, one of the creators of the series "The Loop") never stops throwing situation after situation at us designed to make us laugh. One of my personal favorites is a ridiculous dancing-angry FOOTLOOSE parody, and there's a sequence involving the phrase "cool beans" that will either drive you insane, or send you into convulsions, or both.
The next person who compares HOT ROD to NAPOLEON DYNAMITE deserves a severe beating. Here's a news flash to shortsighted, lazy critics: not every film about social misfits is like NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. Move on! Samberg has a highly likable nature and a pliable face complete with a enormous smile that is just dying for some Joker makeup. It's tough to walk out of HOT ROD and not at least appreciate the guy's appeal, even if you can't stand the movie. But he also knows his limitations, and any time he is required to emote, he's smart enough to know that his acting chops still need some work. I'm more than a little curious to see if Samberg and his team can pull something off that has a hint of sophistication, but for now, HOT ROD is perfect juvenile entertainment that had me giggling like a Japanese school girl throughout.
