Publications
Partners
What it's about:
A one-time bullied geek who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent, comes home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, he enlists the help of the former “big man on campus,” now an accountant who misses his glory days. But, before this staid number-cruncher realises what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage.
What we thought:
Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart don't reinvent the wheel in this buddy comedy but they sure are fun to watch.
What makes this movie so great to watch is the star power and chemistry of the leading men.
Johnson takes on a different type of role than his usual stern faced persona and he relishes the role. While he might have shed the weight of his teen years, which was a source of the bullying at school, he is still that uncool teenager at heart. He wears unicorn t-shirts, he says the wrong thing and walks around with a fanny pack. The character itself is in total contrast to the package and it's great to see Johnson laugh at himself.
I'll be honest I'm not a big fan of Hart's characters as I usually find them exaggerated and a bit annoying. This time around he is considerably toned down. His character still has that Hart edge, but it's more refined. He lets Johnson take the comedic lead.
The plot itself is really secondary to the characters. It moves along quite swiftly.
When it comes to the action scenes it's the standard, skop, skiet en donner filled with big crashes and outrageous stunts.
But it's not all action and laugh as the film tackles the effects bullying has long after the bullying has been done.
As good as it is to watch Johnson beat up people, him finally standing up to the school bully (Jason Bateman good play on The Gift there) is the best moment in the film. He takes back that one moment in high school that defined him and it is triumphant to watch.
The film has a little bit of everything: action, comedy and sentimentality. It's the perfect mix and a real joy to watch!
