So-so

Rating: 5/10 (18 May 2008)

Will Ferrell acted as executive producer for this movie and apparently the comedian was originally set to star himself. Well, you notice that from the first few moments on. "Hot Rod" is full of that Ferrell-humor that has had such a huge influence on many American comedies in the past eight years or so. The problem is that much like "Anchorman", "Talladega Nights" or "Blades Of Glory" this kind of humor ends up on the wrong side of the line between stupid fun and annoying stupidity more often that not. Silly costumes, fake mustaches, cruel stepfathers and bad 80's hair metal just don't automatically make for a lot of laughs. Quite the contrary, actually.
Yeah, seeing main character Rod Kimble - played by Andy Samberg, who comes across as a mixture of Ferrell, Jack Black and Ashton Kutcher - fall and hurt himself over and over again is kinda funny, but it's also incredibly cheap and doesn't save the movie from all the boredom that ensues between the stunt scenes. "Hot Rod" is at its most annoying when characters scream like retards and purposely act badly - another thing Ferrell has established in his movie.
We've just seen too many lazy and not-really funny comedies like this one. Even though "Hot Rod" does have a few moments that are good for a chuckle, ultimately it's mildly amusing at best and a sign that this kind of comedy has become trite and tired. Time for a change, Hollywood!