(Aug. 6) If you're reading this review of 'Hot Rod,' you're probably on the Internet, which means you've possibly seen previous efforts by filmmakers Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer, whose Saturday Night Live skits have been linked more than 'Mentos and Diet Coke' or the 'peanut butter-jelly time' dancing banana clips.
If you're web-savvy, you might know Samberg and company were part of video-comedy troupe called The Lonely Island before landing dream gigs on the SNL staff (Samberg performs, Taccone and Schaffer write).
If none of these factual snippets are hitting the mark, maybe you recognize Samberg as the curly-haired guy responsible for famously funny SNL 'digital shorts' like the "Lazy Sunday" rap, and the equally ridiculous "D*ck in a Box" video with Justin Timberlake.
So what was the next logical move in the Lonely Island boys' plan to take over the world of comedic high jinx? Make a big screen epic combining the best of their sketch-comedy sensibilities, obviously.
Perhaps the most random movie of 2007, 'Hot Rod' tells the story of Rod Kimble (Samberg) who has dreamed of being a stuntman his entire life. If being a high-flying, death-defying stuntman seems a bit overly ambitious, Rod's other dream - defeating his stepfather (Ian McShane) in battle - is even less attainable.
And this, my friends, is where the elements intertwine and the plot of the film (yes, there is one) comes into play. Rod's stepfather becomes ill and is in desperate need of a new heart. Rod devises the ultimate stunt to raise money for his stepfather's surgery.
The idea here is, Rod will feel the victory is soiled if he kicks his stepfather's ass while he's on his death bed, so Rod is getting his stepfather a new heart so he can beat him to death afterwards.
Meanwhile, his crush Denise (Isla Fisher, 'Wedding Crashers') is back in town, but she has a boyfriend (a nice cameo by fellow SNL star Will Arnett) much to the heartbreaking realization of Rod.
With the help of his stepbrother Kevin (Taccone), and friends Dave (the hilariously deadpan Bill Hader) and Rico (Danny McBride - keep your eye on this guy) Rod puts together a plan to earn the $50,000 for his stepfather's surgery and win over Denise.
Okay, so 'Hot Rod' isn't as laugh-out-loud funny as comedic cousins 'Anchorman' or 'Talladega Nights,' but what it lacks in laughs it makes up for in sincerity. 'Hot Rod' is the misunderstood kooky 2nd cousin to those 'Will Ferrell movies,' filled with '80s nostalgia and stupidly smart wit.
Complete with a ridiculously radical synthesizer score and plenty of training (and dancing) montages, 'Hot Rod' has a big heart and will fill all your needs for sweet summer randomness.
The Lonely Island boys, along with Seth Rogen's ('Knocked Up,' 'Superbad') gang of uproarious allies, are changing the face of comedy. Expect big things from Samberg and company, I have a feeling 'Hot Rod' is just the beginning when it comes to the insanely witty randomness to come.
(If anything, see this movie so you can get on the Danny McBride train before it's too late - because his IMDB is looking like a treasure trove of comedic super-stardom)
'Hot Rod' is rated Rated PG-13 for crude humor, language, and some comic drug-related and violent content. 88 minutes.
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