GET HARD (2015)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Etan Cohen
Cast: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Tip "T.I." Harris, Alison Brie, Craig T. Nelson, Paul Ben-Victor
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: M18 (Nudity And Coarse Language)
Released By: Warner Bros
Official Website: http://gethardmovie.com

Opening Day: 26 March 2015

Synopsis: When millionaire hedge fund manager James King (Will Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison. Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to “get hard” and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.

Movie Review:

Not everyone thinks much of Will Ferrell’s brand of humour. Over time, this reviewer has gradually grown to like, and even to chuckle (during the initial stages) and laugh (as he watched more of his shows) at Ferrell’s on screen antics. The 47 year old American actor isn’t only a comedian, he Is also a producer and writer who first got attention as a cast member of the successful sketch show Saturday Night Live during the mid 1990s. Subsequently, he went on to star in comedies like Old School (2003), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) and Blades of Glory (2007).

And one does not mention Ferrell without bringing up 2004’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (10 years on, he was every bit as funny in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues). The cult comedy cemented Ferrell’s status as one of Hollywood’s most established comedian during the 2000s.

In the abovementioned titles, Ferrell would play the sometimes obnoxious, sometimes disgusting, but always hilarious and endearing characters. Expect physical humour, toilet jokes and the occasionally politically incorrect gags. Nope, you don’t walk into a Will Ferrell movie expecting fine art. What you get instead is a fun and often laugh out loud experience in the cinemas.

So it is with anticipation this writer caught Ferrell’s latest work directed by first time director Etan Cohen, who is better known for his writing credits for TV series like Beavis and Butt head, King of the Hill and American Dad. He also had a hand in well received comedies like 2008’s Tropic Thunder and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The screenplay by Jay Martel, Ian Roberts and Cohen has wealthy businessman James King (Ferrell) being wrongfully convicted of tax evasion. Before his upcoming 10 year jail term, he enlists the help of his car washer (the up and coming comedian Kevin Hart), whom he incorrectly thinks has served time in jail, to teach him how to survive the hard knocks of prison life.

After supporting roles in Little Fockers (2010) and This is the End (2013), Hart showed his worth in the recent The Wedding Ringer. Here, he stands alongside a more seasoned Ferrell as the fast talking advisor who is out to earn quick bucks from the multi millionaire. Together, the two have an effective on screen chemistry, spouting dialogue which will go down well with those who are already fans of the two fine funnymen.

Hart is no Chris Tucker, but he does his best to be on par with his co star when delivering laughs. Ferrell, on the other hand, effortlessly pulls his role off, engaging in lots of physical humour and donning an embarrassingly loud hip hop getup (complete with a trucker cap, a thick gold chain and baggy pants) in some of the movie’s funniest scenes. The pair is joined by an equally fine supporting cast which includes Alison Brie (The Five Year Engagement), Craig T Nelson (TV’s My Name is Earl) and rapper T.I. 

While this 105 minute title won’t go down comedy movie history as a classic, it has its moments. There are crude and sexually charged gags, potentially offensive jokes and even, err, graphic nudity, which will draw laughs from movie goers who already know what to expect after paying for their tickets. 

Movie Rating:

(Leave your brains at the door and laugh out loud with funnymen Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart)

Review by John Li