MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Role Models’ is a model comedy
R-rated comedies have the tendency to smack you in the face with their comedy saying “Look at us, we’re funny, right?” Most of the time it’s downright annoying, which is why I was surprised when I saw “Role Models.” Having seen the previews on TV, I was gearing up for another “comedic slug-fest,” which would leave my sense of humor beaten and bloody.
“Role Modles” stars Paul Rudd (“Knocked Up”) and Sean William Scott (“Evolution”). Rudd plays Danny, a sad, pessimistic business man whose job is to peddle Minotaur energy drinks to kids at school.
Danny: “Just say no to drugs, and yes to Minotaur.”
Scott is Danny’s co-worker, Wheeler. Wheeler is the Minotaur mascot. He comes out on stage during the school pep-talks and dances around. He loves his job and decides that he may just do it for the rest of his life.
Danny hates his job and everything around him. He nit-picks everyone and everything. He even insults a poor cashier at Starbucks after asking for a large coffee, but not in the coffee-house lingo.
After one too many Minotaur school fundraisers, Danny flips out and runs the Minotaur-mobile, a giant truck out-fitted to look like a deranged bull, right into the school’s beloved statue.
With the help of Danny’s girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks, “Zack and Miri”), a lawyer, they don’t land in jail. They’re assigned to community service, being big brothers for troubled youth.
Rudd and Scott are good, but the two kids they have to babysit are great. Newcomer Bobb’e Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (you’ll remember him as McLovin in “Superbad”) are the core of this movie. Thompson plays Ronnie, a foul-mouthed 10 year old who can deliver a slew of cuss words as well as Chris Rock or Richard Pryor.
Mintz-Plasse plays a geeky, self-conscious kid who spends his days in the local park acting out a fantasy world called “Laire” with a group of socially awkward people.
The plot is fairly formulaic, but it works because you aren’t paying attention to the plot. You’re paying attention to how the characters interact. Little Ronnie steals the show as he cusses like a sailor, trying to hide how really vulnerable he is. Growing up in a fatherless household would be hard on anyone.
Instead of forcing the comedy down your throat, “Role Models” gently works in the funny with witty comments and funny people, saying funny things when they are in funny situations. It’s a wonder why more comedies aren’t like this one.
–aaron.peck@aggiemail.usu.edu
Grade: B+