Central Intelligence features the first on screen pairing of Dwayne
“The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart. It
tells the story of two former high school classmates whose reunion escalates
towards a crazy, world-saving, espionage adventure.
In 1996, Calvin Joyner (Keving
Hart) was the most popular guy in school, excelled in both academics and
extra-curricular activities, and considered by the people around him to be “the
most likely to succeed.” On the other
hand, Robbie Weirdicht (The Rock) was constantly bullied for being exceedingly overweight
and geeky. Only Calvin showed any kindness
to him.
Twenty years later, Calvin works
as an accountant and is very unsatisfied of how his life turned out to be. He misses his glory days, and is disappointed
that he peaked in high school. Meanwhile,
Robbie, who now goes by the name of Bob Stone, has become a ripped, badass CIA
agent.
Needing his computer and
accounting skills, Bob recruits Calvin, who he considers his high school hero
and only friend, to help him find the criminal known as the “Black Badger” before
he can sell stolen US satellite codes to the highest bidder. And thus, Calvin enters Bob’s world of high-stakes
espionage and deadly shootouts. However,
he finds himself in a much tighter spot than he already is when he’s told by the
CIA that Bob is being delusional, has gone rogue, and is actually the one who stole
the codes – things that Bob denies, insisting that he’s framed.
Central Intelligence is not a great buddy action comedy, but it’s also
not terrible. It was just okay. The story is not as tight and witty as I
wanted it to be, but there are frequent funny moments and it has a passable
dose of heart.
The Rock and Kevin Hart displayed
great comedic chemistry. They made the whole
“buddy action comedy” aspect work. It’s
by far the best thing about the movie. However,
it’s not at all near to the terrific Lethal
Weapon-kind of buddy action comedy that I believe the Rock is destined for. Ever since The Rock and Samuel L. Jackson had
that cameo in The Other Guys, I just
know then that there’s this awesome, hilarious buddy action comedy headlined by
The Rock just waiting to be made (also, his short but delightful interactions
with Channing Tatum in G.I. Joe:
Retaliation showed me that he’s the right guy to team him up with for that potential
Lethal Weapon-level movie – though
Tatum already had 21 and 22 Jump Street). Unfortunately, years have passed and it’s yet
to be made. Until then, I’ll have movies
like Central Intelligence to settle with
for the time being as well as be frustratingly reminded of what should have
been by now.
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