Writer: Pam Brady
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Cast: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny R. McBride, Isla Fischer, Ian McShane, Sissy Spacek
Rating: PG13
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 27, 2007

Saturday Night Live comedy movies are generally hit or miss. By SNL movies, I am referring to the movies that primarily star one or more SNL stars (currently on the show) in the lead roles. These movies are generally always comedic and occasionally are fit for mass consumption. At other times you just need to be accepting of crazy concepts and be comedy starved to appreciate these movies. Some other SNL titles might star actors such as Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, David Spade, and now Andy Samberg.

That being said, Hot Rod gives you what you would expect from an explosively embellished and outrageous comedy. While I am not always the biggest comedy lover, Hot Rod grew on me. There is something about the unlikely anti-hero being so over the top that just makes me giggle. Samberg was all that and more when it came to his leading role in this unconventional underdog comedy.

Release Information:
Hot Rod was only at the theater for a short time before it came to DVD on November 27, 2007. This Paramount feature also is available in HD format. This DVD is available in a widescreen video format and offers English, French, and Spanish languages. Along with the 88 minute feature film, you are offered numerous special features that are discussed in more detail below.

The Hot Rod Plot
Rod Kimball (Andy Samberg) is a bumbling loser with a heart of gold. While he’s in his twenties, you wouldn’t tell by his ten year old “I can do anything, even the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard of” attitude. In this case, that means he wants to be a stunt man. In fact, he wants to be the greatest stuntman in the world. It’s not his fault though. He just wants to be like his daddy. Unfortunately, Rod’s daddy is dead (stunt man accident) and his mom (Sissy Spacek) remarried Frank (Ian McShane.) Together they all live with Rod’s half brother Kevin (Jorma Taccone).

Rod and Frank don’t get along. In fact, they beat the hell out of each other. Well, mainly it’s Frank beating up Rod, but Rod has heart and isn’t about to give up anytime soon. According to Rod, the only way he will gain Frank’s respect is by winning a fight against him. In the meantime, he works with his crew doing jumps over pools (or in them) and in other oddball locations. His crew consists of his brother Kevin, friends Dave (Bill Hader) and Rico (Danny R McBride), and his love interest Denise (Isla Fisher).

Rod’s life is kicked into full swing when he realizes Frank has a heart condition and that important fight may never occur. With this looming over his existence, Rod decides that he needs to do whatever he can to raise $50,000 to pay for Frank’s surgery so he can take a crack at finally kicking his ass once and for all.

Samberg is strong in his first major movie role and when you add in crewmates, McBride, Hader, and Taccone the film is priceless. McShane is absolutely hilarious as the overbearing stepfather, but McShane is good in nearly everything he’s been in (Lovejoy, anyone?). The most disappointing part of the film was Isla Fisher. This is not to say that she wasn’t good, but five minutes into the film, her purpose was evident and it was never altogether necessary.

Hot Rod is not going to be a movie for everyone, but the brief parodies and the absurdities will make it absolutely hilarious to some. Surprisingly enough, that even includes me.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
The visual aspects of Hot Rod are nearly perfect. With an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and the anamorphic widescreen transfer it is hard to come up with any valid complaints. The colors were vivid and there were no defects that I could find. Audio comes into play courtesy of Dolby Digital 5.1 and it comes through perfectly. Both the music, mainly 80s tracks, specifically from Europe, and the dialogue come through without a hitch.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
There are several bonus features available on the Hot Rod disc. Features kick off with an amusing commentary track courtesy of the director, Samberg, and Taccone. There is another commentary track available with the same three men along with both extended and deleted scenes. There is one featurette in the bonus section and that’s “Ancestors Protect Me: Behind the Scenes of Hot Rod.”

The final special offerings include a segment called “Kevin’s Videos” and a short section called “Punch Dance” that shows the sequence from Footloose and the tribute done by Samberg in Hot Rod. Some trailers round out the special features section.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
I did not have high hopes for Hot Rod when I first put it in my DVD player, but I quickly learned that I was wrong and the movie was actually worth watching. Hot Rod was a pleasant comedy that was much more than I expected. The laughs, while not for everyone, will be great for those that like these types of oddball comedies. If you are a fan of Samberg this is a definite purchase. On the other hand, if you like comedy, but are not quite sure about SNL, oddball comedies, than you may want to rent this one first.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Hot Rod, DVD Review, Andy Samberg, Comedy, SNL, Ian McShane, Jorma Taccone, Movie, Stuntman

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