Central Intelligence
Released 6/17/16
In a Summer inundated with sequels, it seems rather strange to have a new weekend highlighted by an original feature. Whoops, scratch that. Finding Dory was released this weekend. Oh well, the spy farce "Central Intelligence", was released this week as well. Starring Dwayne Johnson and top comedian-of-the-moment, Kevin Hart, CI certainly has the comedic star power to be great. But, also keep in mind both actors have given us such gems as The Game Plan, Tooth Fairy, The Wedding Ringer, and Ride Along 2. So, I guess what I'm saying is I had a 50/50 chance of seeing something that was actually funny.
We begin in a common high school in 1996. Friendless, overweight Robbie Weirdicht (Johnson) is grossly embarrassed at a school assembly when he's tossed onto the gym floor naked in front of the student body by a few bullies. As an act of kindness, "Mr. Everything" in the senior class, Calvin Joyner (Hart), gives his letterman's jacket to Robbie to cover up. As we'll learn later, Robbie leaves school never to be heard from again until...
Go forward 20 years. Calvin's life hasn't turned out quite the way he envisioned. Voted most likely to succeed by the senior body, he's stuck in a dead end, mid-level accounting job. Sure he married the prom queen, but, professionally, his life stinks. His protégé has just been given the promotion he was after while his wife is a partner in her law firm making her a far greater success in the business world. He's at a point in his life where he definitely does NOT want to discuss it at his upcoming high school reunion, a gathering he has vehemently decided not to attend to the chagrin of his wife.
At a low point, he reluctantly accepts a friend request on Facebook from someone who claims to know him. Little does Calvin know that "Bob Stone" is the former Robbie Weirdicht. To say Robbie has changed is an understatement as he's miraculously turned 300 pounds of flab into rock hard muscle. How, you ask? As Robbie explains, "I worked out six hours a day for the last 20 years." Anybody can do it, right?
He has a weird belief that Calvin is his best friend and has another bombshell to drop when they meet for drinks. After easily dispatching a few bar thugs, he reveals that he's in the CIA. That's not all, as he also needs his "friend" Calvin's accounting skills to uncover a plot to sell America's spy satellite codes. Oh, and, he just happens to be on the run from the CIA who believe he's insane. And, to be honest, so does Calvin.
So, let's get down to it. Is Central Intelligence funny? The answer would be yes. At times, it's extremely funny. There's never been any denying of Johnson's comedic chops or timing going back to his days as "The Rock" in WWE. Even in his "bad" movies like the aforementioned Game Plan and Tooth Fairy, he was the best thing about them. In CI, he plays Robbie with an almost childlike quality relating to Hart's character. It's funny, but, almost heartbreaking at the same time. He's a grown man desperately seeking acceptance with more than a few deep seated psychological issues. He's genuinely hurt when his "friend" momentarily betrays him in the film.
Kevin Hart is a bit of an enigma for me. I think he is a genuinely funny guy. But, there are times he has a tendency to go too over the top with his buffoonery. The recent Ride Along 2 (and, for that matter, Ride Along) is a perfect example of that. I pretty much have that reaction to the late Robin Williams as well. Comedy is always a funny thing with people (I swear I wasn't trying to do that just now). Everyone has a different fine line between what's funny and what isn't. And, it's ever changing. Hart still walks through his same manic mannerisms as always in CI, but, it was a little more palatable for me here as he takes the less traveled road of straight man.
In a film that could have easily turned into a battle of one-upmanship of who gets the best gag, Johnson and Hart play very well off each other. There's nothing special about the plot of this film but, these two keep it fresh and funny even through it's clichéd ending of the underdog getting revenge on his former tormentor. There are even some pretty good action sequences to boot.
Speaking of tormentor, there are a few notable co-starring roles. Jason Bateman is an excellent asshat (can I say that?) as the adult version of Robbie's lead high school bully. If you saw him in 2015's "The Gift", you know it's a part he can play very well, although he goes back to his comedic roots in CI. Aaron Paul of Breaking Bad fame is Robbie's former partner in the CIA who may not be all he appears to be. Then, there's an ending cameo that was quite the surprise from a certain actress in an uncredited role. I won't say who this is except she's become huge in recent memory.
If you're tired of the endless parade of sequels this Summer, and, you're looking for something light and silly, Central Intelligence is here for you. With two comedic leads who have excellent chemistry to the unexpected guest appearances, you can't help but have a good time. Well, I did hint that comedy is kind of a personal thing. I was entertained at least.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***3/4 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
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