Best Comedy in Years

Rating: 10/10 (24 April 2011)

This film stars Andy Sandberg as Rod Kimble a mislead stuntman who performs lackluster stunts which often times end up with him being injured. Rod has a rag tag group of friends who he calls his crew, the crew work on everything from team manager (Kevin, Rod's step-brother), to ramp builder (Rico, Rod's friend, then there is Dave who doesn't seem to have a job, but is hilarious just as well. After the first couple of failed jumps he decides to enlist the help of his neighbor because she has college experience plus he likes her, but he acts so childish that she does not catch on until the end. The movie is based on Rod trying to earn respect from his step-father Frank who is constantly beating him up in little fights and is constantly ridiculing Rod about his stunts, but minutes into the movie you the family finds out that Frank has a bad heart problem and only has months to live. After hearing this news Rod goes to his happy place and does the choreography from Kevin Bacon in Footloose, and comes up with an idea to save Frank by doing one big jump to earn the money for Frank's heart operation, and so he can finally beat Frank in a battle of respect. The theme of this movie is one that is unique in the fact that it seems nonsensical, but the main theme is to not give up on something if you believe in it and when you've got nothing you've got nothing to lose. This movie is just a good time for any fan of the old Adam Sandler movies that didn't really need a plot because the comedy was enough. This movie is in that same vain and is actually more respected in the film community than most Sandler movies, but I believe that is because of Sandberg's comedy style and its slight subtleness that Sandler's films lacked because of his formula. The scene in which Rod initiates Denise the female I mentioned earlier into the crew it is as funny as any moment in recent memory. At first he shines a light in Denise's eyes to get her attention and then when she comes into his garage he is hammering on an engine with a Hulkamania t-shirt and he says "Denise what's up" "funky fresh". It's these silly lines that and scenes that make this movie comedic gold. This movie is a hilarious movie and the plot while not the best is also hilarious due to the fact that Rod is trying to save his step-father just so he can beat him up and earn his respect. Even though it sounds like a foolish movie with a foolish plot it works thanks to the actors and their parts such as Rico who is played by Danny Mcbride, Denise who is played by Isla Fisher, Dave who is played by Bill Hader, and Jonathan(Denise's boyfriend) played by Will Arnett. This cast is a who's who of up and coming comedic actors that were fortunately put together to create this film.