30 Minutes or Less (R)
Mike:
Scott:
Michael I: This week we're reviewing "30 Minutes or Less" a comedy in the same vein as Pineapple Express and the last few 'action comedies' that have come out with an R rating. What did you think Mike?
Mike: I was hoping our comedy streak would continue, but I think it may have come to an end.
Michael I: Well, it is the end of the summer ...
Mike: I laughed a number of times, but I was not that thrilled with this movie.
What did you think?
Michael I: I liked it. And even though I've already seen it, the commercials still make me laugh. I've got a feeling that this will be one of those comedies that I'll want to pop into the DVD player and watch every once in a while.
Mike: I guess I just have problem with R rated crime comedies. It wasn't funny enough to be a great comedy and the writing wasn't good enough to make it a great crime caper.
In fact, I think the violence is kind of jarring when mixed with the comedy.
Michael I: I never expect much out of mixing comedy and any other type of genre -- they're supposed to be fun. Light. Somewhat absurd.
I don't know. Tarantino mixes comedy and violence all the time and it works for him.
Mike: That is exactly some of my problem. I too think it should be light, but when it gets violent, that keeps it from being light.
Michael I: Just like the Evil Dead series.
Mike: Tarantino is a much better writer than this guy.
Michael I: Blood, zombies and Bruce Campbell are a great mix. So are Aziz and bomb vests.
Mike: Tarantino will also probably never work with Danny McBride.
I get it when it’s absurd, but this mix seemed lumpy to me. I would much rather see Zombieland again. That mix of Jesse Eisenberg and director Ruben Fleischer was much better.
Michael I: I got that vibe from the opening credits. Right off the bat it seemed very Zombieland. I found out today that both worked on that movie too.
So on to the plot, two haphazard criminals (McBride and Swardson) kidnap a pizza delivery guy (Eisenberg), strap a bomb to his chest, and inform him that he has mere hours to rob a bank or else...
Mike: They want to kill Dwayne's (McBride) dad for his money, but they are too lazy to do even that.
Michael I: Not sure if its laziness, McBride's character has put a lot of thought into his future, I'm going to blame it on a lack of motivation and maturity.
Mike: Either way ,Dwayne is a slacker who lives at home, hangs out with his boy Travis (Nick Swardson) and is a bit of a wacko.
Michael I: Agreed.
But you could say the same for Eisenberg's character, Nick, who hasn't reached his full potential, either.
Mike: Nick's (Eisenberg) life isn’t so great either, but his “slackerness” doesn't seem too dangerous.
Michael I: Except for trying to beat his job's mandated 30 minutes or less guarantee.
Mike: I'm sure most people will think of Eisenberg and McBride as the stars of this movie, but I have to tell you that the high point of this movie is Aziz Ansari as Nick's buddy Chet.
Michael I: Aziz steals not only every scene that I've seen him in, BUT EVERY MOVIE!
Mike: Aziz may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but his delivery had me cracking up every time he was on screen.
Michael I: I constantly remember his line from 'Observe and Report' about Chick-fil-a. And I use it every time I'm in there.
Mike: OK, I will admit I haven’t seen that movie yet. I have to know. Is it a line you can repeat here?
Michael I: It's too good of a line -- at too perfect of a moment -- to repeat it here. Sorry. But it's the funniest thing in that entire movie.
Mike: I'll have to check it out.
It seems like the sidekicks are the best part of this movie.
Swardson is not quite as good as Ansari, but his not too bright act is pretty good. He makes a good gorilla.
Michael I: Well, don't forget Michael Pena as Chango.
Mike: You beat me to it.
Michael I: The sidekicks were hilarious, but so was the other 'villain'
Mike: Chango is an assassin and it’s not the type of role I'm used to seeing Pena in. It’s kind of a small part, but he makes the most of it. One of his scenes probably made me laugh the hardest.
Michael I: I'm a fan of Pena. I really enjoy seeing his work. He's an actor that doesn't have to play the token Latino gang banger ... er, well ... at least he didn't play him straight in this movie!
Mike:I guess we should mention the stars McBride and Eisenberg.
I have to say that they both played characters that I have seen from them before. Sometimes it’s funny, but neither one impressed me too much this time.
Michael I: Eisenberg plays his usual skittish character and McBride is in Kenny Powers mode.
But, Kenny Powers is 10x funnier than Dwayne in this movie.
Mike: I like Eisenberg and I loved him in both Zombieland and The Social Network. On the other hand, as much press as McBride gets I am not really a fan.
Michael I: Eastbound and Down is great. But you have to like seeing someone that pompous come to terms with their downward spiraling lack of success.
Mike: I keep hearing that, but I just haven't been able to force myself to watch.
Michael I: So what are your final thoughts?
Mike: It looks like this is writer Michael Diliberti's first feature and I think he has some more work to do.
Unlike you, I don't think I'll be watching this again, unless somebody cuts an all Aziz Ansari version of the film.
Mike: So how do you rate this?
Michael I: I'm giving this a 3 out of 5. Compared to last week's Change-Up, it's not quite as good. But it's a comedy so I'm not looking for a great script; I'm looking for entertainment and laughs. What about you, Mike?
Mike: I am giving this a 2 out of 5. I got some laughs, but I just didn't feel as entertained as we have been the last few weeks.
Michael I: Yikes! A 2? What was the last movie that you ranked as a 2?
Mike: I'll have to look, but I was actually almost bored by the end of this. And the real killer is this movie is only 83 minutes long!
Michael I: Looks like you gave Year One a star and a half. I can understand that one!
Mike: Ok, maybe 2.5 stars. I guess this wasn’t any worse than the Tourist or Takers from last year.
Michael I: Don't make me convince you now! Go with your gut.
Mike: I'll leave it at 2 and that should help convince everyone that I don't love every movie I see!
