By Martin Paredes/south news editor
Despite the comedic star power of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart, Warner Bros.’ latest comedy Get Hard will not blow audiences away, but those seeking a laugh-out-loud escape will be satisfied.
Get Hard follows wrongfully convicted millionaire investment banker James King (Ferrell) and his car-washer-turned-prison-survival-coach Darnell Lewis (Hart) in their efforts to prepare King for his 10-year sentence in San Quentin maximum security prison.
Photo courtesy Warner Bros.
King and Lewis’ first interaction is hilarious as the Hollywood Luxury Bubbles boss knocks on King’s car window in an attempt to return his car keys. King mistakes Lewis for a mugger and raises his arms in submission screaming, “I have almost no cash … just $9,000!” After the initial confusion, King apologetically tells Lewis, “Just so you know, I would have done the same thing if you were white.”
Get Hard shines in its plethora of simple yet satisfying secondary characters. Several witty moments come from the “Crenshaw Kings,” who dub Ferrell’s character with the gang name “Mayo,” or the Hispanic mansion workers who assist in a prison riot simulation.
Much of the disappointment from Get Hard comes from the missed opportunity to properly use two of the funniest men alive. Ferrell has been a part of a few dynamic comedy duos with the likes of Mark Wahlberg in The Other Guys (2010) and John C. Reilly in Step Brothers (2008), but the Ferrell and Hart combination is no comparison to the aforementioned partnerships.
The movie has come under fire, being called racist and homophobic by some.
“Of course,” Hart told hitfix.com when asked if he was surprised by the movie being alleged to be racist. “This [movie] is funny. And at the end of the day, funny is funny regardless of what area it’s coming from.”
In that same interview, Ferrell said the “This film seemed racist as f*ck” comment during a SXSW panel, quoted by many publications, was misrepresented as the audience member who said it quickly followed with, “I thought it was hysterical!” and got a standing ovation.
Get Hard had room for improvement but will provide laughter throughout and is worth checking out.