Hot Rod (2007)

Director:

Akiva Schaffer

Writer (WGA):

Pam Brady (written by)

Release Date:

3 August 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Smack destiny in the face

Plot:

Self-proclaimed stuntman Rod Kimble is preparing for the jump of his life - to clear fifteen buses to raise money for his abusive stepfather Frank's life-saving heart operation.

Plot Keywords:

Piñata | Disc Jockey | Hit In Crotch | Surprise After End Credits | Father Son Relationship

Cast

Andy Samberg	...	Rod Kimble
Jorma Taccone	...	Kevin Powell
Bill Hader	...	Dave
Danny R. McBride	...	Rico (as Danny McBride)
Isla Fisher	...	Denise
Sissy Spacek	...	Marie Powell
Ian McShane	...	Frank Powell
Will Arnett	...	Jonathan
Chris Parnell	...	Barry Pasternack
Chester Tam	...	Richardson
Mark Acheson	...	Homeless Dude
Brittany Tiplady	...	Maggie
Ken Kirzinger	...	Trailer Guy
Brittney Irvin	...	Cathy (as Britt Irvin)
Alana Husband	...	Waitress

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for crude humor, language, some comic drug-related and violent content.

Runtime:

USA:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Ireland:12A | USA:PG-13 | Finland:K-13 | UK:12A | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Burnaby North Secondary School, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Rod sings that he does his laundry without pants and is in his underwear. He then walks into a room, wearing pants. This blooper was entirely intentional and was planned by director Akiva Schaffer.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The film is supposed to take place in Washington state, but a Canadian bus from British Columbia Transit appears in the film.

Quotes:

Rod Kimble: Cool beans?
Kevin Powell: Cool beans.

Movie Connections:

Edited from The Long Goodbye (1973)

Soundtrack:

Got Me Going

The Jerk meets Billy Madison

Andy Samberg is the hero of the internet age. Through SNL digital videos such as Lazy Sunday and Dick in a Box, he has managed to coral a fanbase, score an emmy nod and land his own starring role in a movie. Being that sly, witty and subtle comedy is taking over the box office(The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, etc)it's safe to say that plain old silly farce is having a hard time reaching the same audience.

Steve Martin made The Jerk a hit, with his genius way of creating a character who was so naive and stupid yet easy to relate to. Samberg is trying to recreate that same character type, but it seems as though audiences aren't having it. Be that as it may, he does it successfully and with such a delightful awkwardness that it may put Martin to shame(no offense Steve).

Although Hot Rod starts off a bit slow, with those watching feeling that it may not come out of its slump, it progresses into a laugh out loud comedy that will have you literally howling. For instance, in one scene, Samberg takes out his frustrations by, as he puts it, "punch dancing" in the woods. This is followed by one of the longest and funniest falls in cinema history.

Most critics probably feel that the movie is just youtube videos strewn together, yet they aren't taking it for what it is: A blatant farce on 80s under dog stories. There was not one serious moment in this movie. And that is a good thing. Highly recommended for anyone who wishes to laugh their asses off.