Central Intelligence (2016)

Too much of everything

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Central Intelligence is watchable, there are a few aspects that don't make sense, example, Dwayne Johnson's character says that he "Doesn't like bullies", yet he becomes a bully in one particular scene in a bar with resorting to violence. Central Intelligence is not that funny, it has a bit of humour here and there, but overall it is just a watchable action cine. A lot of the dialogue could have been cleaned up, even with the theatrical version. If they make a sequel, i hope it will be better than this because even though this movie is somewhat fun to watch, it could've been better.

The advertising banner for this film - "A little Hart and a big Johnson" - is both clever and funny, and suits this action comedy.1996 saw Calvin Joyner as the big star of his year at High School, and voted Most Likely To Succeed. It also saw fat nerd loner Robbie Wierdicht humiliated when bullies throw him, naked, into the final assembly: the student populace laughs at him, but Calvin compassionately lends him a jacket. 20 years later, Calvin has married his high school sweetheart and Homecoming Queen, but finds himself in a boring job as an accountant. When a Bob Stone contacts him for a get together on the eve of the school reunion, Calvin is surprised to discover that the fat nerd has changed his name and become superfit. He is even more surprised to discover that Stone appears to be a rogue CIA agent, especially when he becomes involved, very much against his will, in a caper which is fraught with danger.The chemistry between Kevin Hart as Calvin and Dwayne Johnson as Bob is very effective, as is borne out by the very funny outtakes which accompany the closing credits. Importantly, notwithstanding a couple of inconsistencies in Bob's motivations and behaviour, both characters are fairly believable: Calvin never goes over the top in writing or delivery, and Hart is commendably restrained.The story, though familiar, is quite strong, and provides excitement of its own as well as a good vehicle for the action, humour and character moments. There are laugh-out-loud moments in this - there is a role-play scene in particular which had the audience in my cinema all laughing, not to mention the taser moments - and the film is just plain likeable.There are two cameos which work well, the supporting cast are all fine, and the two principals have fun and perform well.In a film which is fairly clear of toilet humour, sex, and innuendo, there is a single "f*ck" included, as seems to be the fashion, because F*ck. I find this really annoying, because it adds nothing.That aside, this is an enjoyable buddy movie with some good laughs.

Central Intelligence is clearly a comedy film which was intended to have box office success due to its leads of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. The film did well at the box office mainly due to them. The trailers did make it somewhat appealing yet also quite odd or bizarre. The comedy in this film is typical, there are some decent jokes and some misses that are not as funny as it could have been. Though what makes the film better than it should have been considering the recycled plot and predictable format, are Johnson and Hart, as their chemistry excels and they are both great entertainers. Central Intelligence blends both comedy and action and keeps it up but at the same time, feels quite bizarre and unrealistic at times with its over the top action. In a way, Central Intelligence is better than expected but also quite forgettable.

(Flash Review)The key to this movie was it knew what it was and hit its mark. The Rock and Hart have great on screen chemistry and played off each other very well. I actually laughed out loud several times. The Rock who in high school was obese and got mightily humiliated in a huge and embarrassing moment and has later turned into a muscle-bound man and works for the CIA. Hart's character was the only one to not laugh at him and the two meet up 20 years later as The Rock needs his professional accounting skills to assist him on a mission. The plot is solid and has a few twists so above average for this type of comedy. Don't worry ladies, there are more than enough shots of The Rock topless and a long scene where he's in his birthday suit for your imagination only. Overall it was Fun and Funny.