June 2, 2011

Summer Re-Education Film Series: Hot Rod

Essner had the idea that he needed to educate me on all the films, TV shows, and other such audio/visual media that I have been missing due to working, or just not seeking it out. An idea of a summer film series was created, and the first movie in this series was Hot Rod, a movie he had always talked up as being pretty hilarious. And why wouldn’t it be, really? It’s got the touch of the Lonely Island guys all over it. Surely it would be a good time!

I must admit, the film itself is pretty hilarious. It’s not perfect, but moment to moment, the laughs keep coming. Frankly, the only time the movie is not funny is when it has gotten silly to the point of making you wonder what the fuck you’re watching. I don’t have a problem with this: it isn’t a painful experience. It’s the kind of going too far I can be comfortable with. Key humor scenes involve Rod falling down the hill (the moment when Essner supposedly fell in love with the movie) and the assault of a poor man who had just had his motor home damaged by a flying Rod. Examples of when the movie got a bit too silly, but not to the point of pain was, say, the Cool Beans scene. Just a bit insane! But I suppose it works out.

The movie also does a great job with some of it’s minor characters. Will Arnet is, well, Will Arnet, so he’s fantastic. (BABY! BABY DON’T GO BABY! BABY! BABY!) Chris Parnell also makes a strong small role appearance. His work on Archer has really made me realize how fantastic he is when used correctly, as a sometimes-ridiculous-but-always-playing-it-completely-straight man, and that’s exactly what he does here to great effect. They filled those slots well.

Something about the film really reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite. I feel like this might upset Mr. Essner, as I don’t think he’s a big fan of the film. I’m not the biggest fan either (I though it was fine, but not spectacular) but there’s a similar vibe going through both. The world of odd people in a strange, not-modern-but-modern urban environment seems shared between the two films. I would not feel it out of place if both movies took place in the same town, or something along those lines. There’s also a similar level of awkward oddness attempting to be passed off as legit, serious conversation that connects the two films as well. It’s the main pool for humor in both movies. Granted, they both have their own way to pull from that pool, but it’s shared, nonetheless.

I’m very glad I finally got to see Hot Rod. It was a very entertaining film, and I would certainly recommend anyone who enjoys the Lonely Island to give it a watch, as you can see their influence in it. I can’t say I’d watch it over and over again, or need to own it on DVD like Essner, but I’m glad he finally forced me to watch it. I laughed and enjoyed myself.
Now onward to the next film in the film series…!

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