Yep...decided to keep it on the comedy track for this week as well. The only reason being that I just saw a trailer for Paul Rudd's new move "Our Idiot Brother". It looks decent enough. Probably at least worthy of a Redbox rental. It just doesn't look to be near as funny as this Rudd vehicle that stuck with me ever since the very first time I saw it. It sure didn't help that it also featured the consistently funny Sean William Scott.
Charles Barkley once had a commercial where he commented that he is not a role model. This was back in his ball playing days when his behavior was considered to be controversial (as opposed to now when we expect it from him). He was absolutely right in that athletes aren't supposed to be. That's not their job. But what happens when kids get stuck with someone whose job it is to be their role model and the person flat out sucks at it? Well you get "Role Models".
On the surface, "Role Models" is as predictable a movie as they come. The premise is certainly nothing new. You have two guys that have loser personalities that are no more than overgrown adolescents themselves. By a stroke of misfortune, they have to grow up fast in order to be role models to shorties with their own issues. In the wrong hands, this formulaic flick would run tino problems but that's where casting plays a huge part.
However, Scott was tailor-made for these kind of roles. Now that Owen Wilson is getting a bit older and leaning toward the romantic comedy fare, that leaves the hole for Scott. Although he brings the same sarcasm to every role he manages to switch it up a bit each time. In "Role Models" it turns out he is actually the more level-headed of the two. His Wheeler character may not have any ambition or drive, but he does feel obligated to make the most out of their community service of role modeling.
Then there is Rudd who is fantastic. He has mastered the dry humor and sarcasm since he's been doing the same role in the past half or dozen films he's been in. Nothing wrong with that though. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In fact, his interaction with a naive Augie makes for some of the best moments in the film.
Speaking of the kids, they got the two perfect ones for these parts. Christopher Mintz-Plasse had alreay more than proved himself as McLovin in the instant classic "Superbad". All he did here was increase his stock even more. But newcomer Bobb'e J. Thompson nearly stole the show. It's ironic that you never want to hear your own shortie talking or acting like that, yet when it's in a movie with the right child actor it can be hilarious. That would probably be the epitome of a guilty pleasure.
You all should know by now that there is nothng I love more than a good comedy that keeps me laughing throughout the entire film. This one had no problem achieving that goal. Whether it was Jane Lynch as a recovering addict turned charity worker having to constantly and graphically remind everyone of her past or watching grown men get WAY too deep into medieval role-playing. "Role Models" is that rare flick that will have you in stitches from beginning to end.
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