Today’s quick review: Hot Rod. Rod Kimble (Andy Samberg) has always dreamed of being a motorcycle daredevil like his father, but so far he’s had no luck. His stunts are abysmal, his only fans are his friends, and he has yet to earn the respect of his stepfather Frank (Ian McShane). But when Frank is diagnosed with a heart condition, Rod jumps on the opportunity to prove himself by using his stunts to raise money for Frank’s surgery.
Hot Rod is an underdog comedy about an aspiring daredevil who must take his skills to the next level in order to save his stepfather. The film gets much of its humor from Rod, an offbeat character with a childish personality and delusions of grandeur. Together with Denise (Isla Fisher), the girl next door, and his other friends (Bill Hader, Danny McBride, and Jorma Taccone), Rod plans a series of stunts to take his small town by storm.
Hot Rod has a different rhythm to it than most other comedies. The gags are a cross between the ridiculous and the awkward. Rod and his friends are well-intentioned losers who are prone to making strange noises, going off on mundane tangents, and treating Rod’s daredevil career with far more seriousness than it is due. The scenes have an unusual sense of timing and tend to end abruptly after the punchline has been delivered.
How well this style of comedy works depends heavily on the viewer’s taste. For a viewer who’s on the right wavelength, Hot Rod will be a rare and hilarious treat. But for a general audience, many of the jokes will feel mistimed or flat. Hot Rod hits the target it’s aiming at, but doing so limits its appeal. Those who click with Andy Samberg’s specific comedic style will enjoy themselves immensely. Most others will walk away disappointed.
For an underdog story with a similar sense of humor, try Nacho Libre. For a similar blend of awkward comedy and heart, try Brigsby Bear. For a more accessible comedy in the same vein, try Super Troopers or Dodgeball.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for hit-or-miss comedy with considerable upshot potential.