Central Intelligence

The excellent The Rock, who enjoys the role immensely (I felt he was heavily inspired by Kody from Step by Step for the role of Bob Stone) pulls the whole film up. The tale of a high school star who has fizzled out and a bullied obese kid who has become a hunky ace picks up steam when national security becomes an issue. Hart is surprisingly bearable, the action is fine and the quirky humour worked on me unexpectedly often. “You look like a black Will Smith, or something!” (19.02.2023)

Central Intelligence could be conceptualized and rated like the vast majority of today's comedy productions from Hollywood, namely with a bland and average rating. The film relies mainly on the utterly ambivalent appearance and nature of the two main characters played by Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, which doesn’t work very well at times, but I still laughed. The story features a slightly predictable crime-plot that doesn't offend but doesn't amaze either, plus there's a bit of relationship, bullying and youthful angst themes thrown in, which are kind of plus points. If I had to mention the most notable flaws, I was bothered by Johnson's occasional overacting and the kind of silly "stripping" scene near the end of the film (which was offset by Johnson's opening shower dance in a latex). In short, a film that is mediocre and predictable, but whatever, I had a good time. (01.08.2016)

I didn't think I would enjoy this movie, but I found myself rooting hard for The Rock and wanting him to not be an asshole. The film actually got to me, even though Kevin Hart with his running mouth will never be my favorite comedian. Several scenes here are really great and I laughed out loud. (10.10.2016)