"Role Models" is the movie that moves Paul Rudd from the unknown sidekick into a leading movie star. Rudd plays Danny who, with his childish buddy, Wheeler (Sean Willam Scott), has a temporary lapse of judgement that has them facing jail time. Instead, however, the judge decides to place them in a "big brother" type program where they are expected to be mentors to a couple of kids who have trouble making friends. Danny is paired up with Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse, aka "McLovin"), who is a nerdy type obsessed with "LARP"ing (Live Action Role Playing) and has trouble fitting in with his peers. Wheeler is placed with Ronnie (Bobb'e J Thompson), a foul-mouthed kid with a serious attitude problem. The comedy is built around these two guys, who have no business being role models, struggling to do the right thing to avoid jail time while also trying not to get too involved with these kids at all. While the movie does go through the "growth of the characters as people" sap, it always manages to remain funny. I also found it amusing that their jobs involve going to schools to give students "Stay away from drugs" speeches while touting the benefits of energy drinks, sort of a "legal drug". Scott and Rudd work well together and Scott is at his best since "Stiffler". Thompson, the foul-mouthed kid, is hilarious and pretty much steals the movie. Some may find a kid this age saying the things he does to be offensive, but I have to admit that this politically incorrect type stuff is very funny to me. This is a funny movie, beginning to end, and the entire cast gets their chance to shine. Grade: B
Trailer:
No comments:
Post a Comment