Role Models movie critique
Robert Dora
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Entertainment
Role Models features an all-star cast derived primarily from Judd Apatow's slew of films (Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Pineapple Express, and many others). The cast is lead by Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin of Superbad), and Bobb'e J. Thompson, with supporting roles from Elizabeth Banks and Jane Lynch. The film is predictable, cliché, and absurd; and yet, it is one of the funniest and most enjoyable movies to hit theaters in a long time.
The movie is sure to leave the audience doubled-over laughing from the onset. Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) travel to schools across the country, promoting "Minotaur Energy drink," as part of a marketing campaign to keep kids off drugs. Danny has grown tired of his job, and has become increasingly bitter over the years leading his long-time girlfriend Beth (Banks) to break-up with him. This causes him to snap, leading to a hilarious series of events that result in an ultimatum for Danny and Wheeler: 150 hours of community service or 30 days in jail. The duo is charged with becoming "Bigs" for an organization known as Steady Wings, headed by ex-addict Gayle Sweeny (Lynch).
Wheeler must look after an angry, offensive, and hyper-active kid named Ronnie (Thompson), while Danny is assigned to the older and much nerdier, Augie Farks (Mintz-Plasse). Wheeler and Danny seem to have nothing in common with their "Littles," but quickly find that's not the case. Lynch gives a spectacular performance as the Steady Wings director, playing off Rudd's natural sarcasm and Scott's goofiness. While Banks is somewhat underplayed in the film, she successfully fulfills the role of the unattainable woman that Rudd strives for. Mintz employs his traditional nerdiness as a member of L.E.A.R.E., a world for those wishing to escape reality into some live-action role-playing. Augie is also trying to gain the favor of the woman of his dreams, while attempting to defeat the evil King of the fantasy world.
The film may not quite reach the heart-warming affect it tries for, as the crude humor takes priority. This isn't to say that it doesn't come close, though. The writers and cast turn this oft-done movie concept into a hysterical adventure that's sure to please both viewers and critics.
The movie is sure to leave the audience doubled-over laughing from the onset. Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) travel to schools across the country, promoting "Minotaur Energy drink," as part of a marketing campaign to keep kids off drugs. Danny has grown tired of his job, and has become increasingly bitter over the years leading his long-time girlfriend Beth (Banks) to break-up with him. This causes him to snap, leading to a hilarious series of events that result in an ultimatum for Danny and Wheeler: 150 hours of community service or 30 days in jail. The duo is charged with becoming "Bigs" for an organization known as Steady Wings, headed by ex-addict Gayle Sweeny (Lynch).
Wheeler must look after an angry, offensive, and hyper-active kid named Ronnie (Thompson), while Danny is assigned to the older and much nerdier, Augie Farks (Mintz-Plasse). Wheeler and Danny seem to have nothing in common with their "Littles," but quickly find that's not the case. Lynch gives a spectacular performance as the Steady Wings director, playing off Rudd's natural sarcasm and Scott's goofiness. While Banks is somewhat underplayed in the film, she successfully fulfills the role of the unattainable woman that Rudd strives for. Mintz employs his traditional nerdiness as a member of L.E.A.R.E., a world for those wishing to escape reality into some live-action role-playing. Augie is also trying to gain the favor of the woman of his dreams, while attempting to defeat the evil King of the fantasy world.
The film may not quite reach the heart-warming affect it tries for, as the crude humor takes priority. This isn't to say that it doesn't come close, though. The writers and cast turn this oft-done movie concept into a hysterical adventure that's sure to please both viewers and critics.
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