HOT ROD / Akiva Schaffer (2007)

July 27th, 2007 by Scott Marks

Hot rod to swill

HOT ROD

Directed by: Akiva Schaffer

Written by: Pam Brady

Starring: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Danny R. McBride, Isla Fischer & Sissy Spacek (?)

Running Time: 88 min.

Aspect Ratio:

Rating:

Childhood friends Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer are all terrifically funny. Just ask them

While in town for CominCon, San Diego’s yearly ode to childish awfulness, they stopped by a Mission Valley screening for a post show Q&A.

Having never seen their antics on SNL, I was assured by a fellow critic that these jokesters are sensational on NBC’s weekly skitfest. Sadly, none of the promised brilliance made it to the big screen.

A nerd fashions himself a stunt man and will go to any length to impress the girl he loves. One joke stretched out over 88 minutes.

Expect the anticipated: reels of childlike antics, flubbed stunts and, in the tradition of Adam Sandler, brutal hooliganism. Ian McShane picks up a check playing Rod Kimball’s (Samberg) stepdad, a brutish lout who loves mixing it up with the boy.

All of the excitement put a strain on the old man’s chest and without $50,000 to pay for a heart transplant he won’t live long enough for Rod to pummel him in order to win dad’s respect.

The only chuckle to emerge was at the expense of Sissy Spacek. Not that she’s bad, if anything she’s given little to do. Normally, Ms. Spacek won’t appear unless the script guarantees depression. There is something hilarious about one of the least funny people on the planet appearing amidst all this pubescent puke.

You can’t fault the boys 100%. This TV-Time nausea was penned by South Park writer Pam Brady. It’s bad enough that this crap is piped into our homes for free. Why pay for it?

Just as the boys were about ready to say goodbye, Samberg took pity on a biker who had his hand up throughout most of the Q&A and gave him the exit question.

In reference to red headed love interest Isla Fischer, the reprobate asked the one question on all our lips: “You worked for months on this picture with “Red.” What was she like in the sack?”

Meet your audience, fellas.