get hard
2015 review number 47:
Get Hard: (Comedy): 70 out of 100: If you are a fan of Will Ferrell's brand of comedy, you will enjoy this. If you despise him, don't bother with it. It's a fair representation of his comic schtick, ranging from his loser character to the sex jokes that bombard the audience. That's not such a bad thing if you appreciate toilet humour.
Ferrell plays millionaire James King who is engaged to marry his boss's daughter. While celebrating their engagement party, King is arrested for fraud and sentenced to San Quentin Prison for ten years. He has been given 30 days by the judge to get his affairs in order. He enlists the help of Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart), who he assumes is an ex-convict just because he is black, to prepare him for what to expect in jail.
The diminutive Hart brings a lot of energy to his role as the family man who is short of money so he accepts King's monetary offer to train him. The funniest scenes involve him and Ferrell with their personality and cultural clash being sent up through a deluge of gags which are often homophobic, racial and sexual by nature. There's a fair bit of gutter talk which will offend a lot of people but some of these scenes are absolutely hilarious. There are some scenes though which don't work but all can be forgiven when you can laugh out loud at the naughty bits. After leaving the cinema though, you won't remember all the scenes you laughed at which goes to show that this is pure, disposable entertainment...a typical popcorn film.
It was fantastic to see Craig T. Nelson as King's future father-in-law. You might remember him as the dad from the Poltergeist movies. Singer John Mayer makes a surprise appearance as a performer at the engagement party and even talk show host Jimmy Fallon makes a cameo playing himself on his talk show. It's an enjoyable, albeit crass movie and everyone seems to be having fun being in it.
The soundtrack consists of today's music which bops along, maintaining the energy of the film. I'm not a fan of current music but even I found myself tapping along to the beats of the songs. They are appropriate for the flashy lifestyle that King is accustomed to. That also allows us to see how the rich and famous live in LA, with some beautiful shots of Bel Air.
"Get Hard" is definitely one for the Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart fans. If you're not a fan, you won't be converted. They are acquired tastes. If you're easily offended then you might even be tempted to walk out. I can think of worse ways to spend 100 minutes of my valuable time.
Starring Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart
(100 minutes)
Parental Advice: Coarse language, nudity and sexual references.
Additional scene during or after credits: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEqrpuU9fYI (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Friday 27th March, 2015)
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