![]() ![]() Role Models is perhaps the best mix of elements from all of its predecessors-charm, wit, real emotion - but it does one thing better than all of them: It knows when to end. But the script stays decidedly pro-nerd, which helps it seem genuine and ultimately makes the whole thing a lot more fun. Sure, there are extremists deserving of derision. There is a reason that people dress up like medieval warriors and whack each other with sticks, and the film is smart not to alienate or talk down to the activity it is lampooning. The film also does a good job of not making LARPing seem completely un-fun. Audiences laugh equally at Ronnie's foul-mouthed tirades, Wheeler's questionable sexual advice, and Augie's hushed in-jokes (the "whispering eye" references are priceless). Making it all the more fun is that the laughs are spread around. A.D Miles ( Dig Bites Man) is great as the most gung-ho "Big" in the Sturdy Wings organization. Her earnestness and faux-authority here achieves the same level of nervous laughter that she has elicited in Best in Show and the aforementioned Virgin. The aforementioned Lynch is perfect as the mentor program leader, who constantly and uncomfortably references her spotty past. Ken Jeong (the gynecologist from Knocked Up) shines as the petty, unscrupulous King Argtron, nemesis of Augie. Surrounding the main four is a troupe of comedic actors that commit fully to their parts… and to hilarious effect. The young actor does a great job of conveying the quiet, suffering insecurity of the geeky outcast, but maintains likeability throughout.Ĭlick here to watch the video interview. ![]() Mintz-Plasse could have easily reprised his McLovin performance, but he takes it to a deeper, nerdier place. Scott returns to Stifler form as the lovable lothario. ![]() Rudd is pitch-perfect as the annoyed/vaguely annoying thirtysomething who lacks direction, but is too afraid to commit to anything. But what really sets Role Models apart is the ease in which the actors inhabit their roles. When it's boiled down to summary, it sounds like every movie of its kind. It all culminates in one giant live action role-playing battle, and the action is on par with final scenes from some of your favorite sports movies. At first, neither of the guys wants anything to do with their Littles, but as time passes, they grow attached and begin teaching each other life lessons. The guys are paired up with their "Littles:" Danny with a role-playing obsessed nerd named Augie Farks (Mintz-Plasse) and Wheeler with a foul-mouthed African American kid named Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Sweeney is played brilliantly by Jane Lynch, who stole the show as the horny manager in 40-Year Old Virgin. The guys are forced to participate in a Big Brother-like program, called Sturdy Wings, headed up by ex-addict/ex-con Gail Sweeney - a woman who is one bad decision away from huffing Drano. Of course the pair chooses community service, and that's where the film really takes off. After Danny recklessly destroys the company monster truck, he lands on the wrong side of the law… leaving him and Wheeler to perform community service or go to jail. On one particularly bad day, he breaks down at an assembly and trashes his job, taking Wheeler with him. Danny, on the other hand, is the straight man, reading directly from his company-provided script.Ĭlick here to watch the red band video When Danny's girl (Elizabeth Banks) walks out on him, his life begins to spiral out of control. Dressed in a bull suit, he pumps up the crowds with his overblown antics. Wheeler, a charming but crude optimist, loves his job, which amounts to driving around to grade schools and high schools hawking energy drinks to kids while urging them to stay off drugs. The early plot revolves around two energy drink pitchmen-Danny (Rudd) and Wheeler (Scott)-who are at different places in their lives. Actually, now that I think about it, it's perhaps the most likely of places to find comedy. Think about a bunch of civilians dressing up in padded armor, carrying blunt weapons and staging a Medieval Times-style brawl against one another in a community park. This holy trinity of funnymen has whipped up a comedy in the least likely of places: live action role-playing (or LARPing), the likes of which happening here is the medieval equivalent to Civil War reenactments. The latest and perhaps most on-point example of this refined humor is Role Models starring Paul Rudd (the Apatow connection), Sean William Scott (returning to American Pie form) and Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("I am McLovin").
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |