Thursday, June 23, 2016

The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic: CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE


The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic: 
on CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (2016, 114 minutes, PG-13)


The Quick of It -

The comedic force known as the ‘Hart Storm’ (ok, I made that up) is not at an end, yet.  Now pairing with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the winds only grow stronger.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE is everything you see in the trailers, and more.  The story is simple enough, so no need to take notes, like some of the more complex spy movies.  Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart) was at the top of his game in high school.  He was voted ‘The Most Likely to Succeed’ and a lettered senior for sports.  But after receiving his invitation to his high school reunion, he begins to feel his life as an account less fulfilling and not what he had envisioned his future to be.  Then enters Robbie Weirdicht (Dwayne Johnson), the most shamed kid in school.  Now going by Bob Stone, Robbie pulls Calvin into a bullet-flying mess with the CIA. 


If nothing else, there is one scene that is a ‘must see’ - the couples therapy session.  I couldn’t help but laugh at the interactions and the old school slapstick comedy.  These are the shining moments all comedies should strive for; veering away from the ‘stoner flicks’ we have been plagued with recently.


Director Rawson Marshall Thurber (WE’RE THE MILLERS, DODGEBALL: THE TRUE UNDERDOG STORY) shows he still has a plan, and writing and/or directing some good material.  He is the one responsible for putting ‘The Rock’ into a unicorn t-shirt on the big screen.  What else is there in life?

Just sit back and laugh, you won’t be disappointed. 

Grade: A-

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