Rev It Up.

Rating: 6/10 (25 August 2015)

Hot Rod (2007): Dir: Akiva Schaffer / Cast: Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, Sissy Spacek, Bill Hader: Amusing if yet formula comedy about a guy with a dream with high stakes. Andy Samberg plays an amateur stunt guy set to raise money for a heart operation for his verbally abusive step-father. The stunts are hilarious mishaps but screenplay presents the wrong message in the conclusion. Director Akiva Schaffer gives an appropriate home video style appeal. The stunts are often hilarious and entertaining but the screenplay suffers. Samberg is hilarious in his focus upon being put down and his desire to raise money for no other reason other than to beat the sh*t out of his step-father. That certainly gives off the wrong message. Isla Fisher seems wasted as some girl next door whose prime function is to be a romantic prop. Ian McShane as the step-father is given great comic moments in his ability to best Samberg physically but the justice coming for him isn't the celebration as intended due to bad taste. Sissy Spacek as the mother is unfortunately flat, which is unfortunate for a past Academy Award winner. Bill Hader and Danny McBride play his best friends and cheer squad, with Jorma Taccone as his half brother. While the message is wayward the film does present a strong theme of following your dreams while taking the human body to its limits. Score: 6 / 10