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Is it worth $10? No
Danny McBride is a comedian whose star is on the rise. Will Ferrell loves him, and McBride’s (unseen by me) HBO series, “Eastbound & Down,” has a loyal following. Many people clearly find him funny. Why, then, do I never find him funny?
He didn’t make me laugh in “Your Highness,” “Due Date” or “Land of the Lost” (admittedly those movies were pretty awful on their own), and he certainly doesn’t make me laugh in “30 Minutes Or Less,” which has its gimmicky premise undone by overwrought vulgarity and ridiculous stupidity.
Perhaps it’s the fact that McBride always has the same expression on his face. Or that all of his jokes sound the same, regardless of what he’s actually saying. Or that he always plays an unlikeable jerk, so it’s inherently difficult to enjoy his characters. Whatever it is, I don’t get it.
McBride plays Dwayne, a deadbeat loser whose Marine Corps father (Fred Ward) treats him like a bitch. This is okay because A) Dwayne deserves it and B) Dwayne treats his friend Travis (Nick Swardson) like an even bigger bitch. Wanting to kill his dad, Dwayne hires an assassin after a stripper (Bianca Kajlich) tells him she knows a guy (Michael Pena). The cost: $100,000. The plan: Kidnap someone and force that person to get the money.
Enter Nick (Jesse Eisenberg), a pizza delivery guy with a crush on his friend Chet’s (Aziz Ansari) sister Kate (Dilshad Vadsaria). Dwayne and Travis kidnap Nick, strap a bomb to his chest and tell him the only way to defuse the bomb is to bring them the money. Chet begrudgingly helps Nick. Chaos ensues. Some of it is funny, some of it tries too hard. This much is for sure: The 83-minute running time feels a lot longer.
Director Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) keeps the energy high throughout, but it all feels hollow. The script is so full of f-words and needless shock value that it’s impossible to care about anyone or anything. Sure Nick is an innocent victim, but after a loud, in-your-face opening sequence in which he dangerously drives through small town streets and nearly kills himself and others it’s hard to view him as likeable. Plus, these driving skills have zero impact on the rest of the movie.
All of these elements combined with McBride’s ineffective presence create a movie that never clicks. “30 Minutes Or Less” does have some laughs, but it’s never satisfying.
Did you know?
The story is loosely based on/inspired by Brian Douglas Wells, a pizza delivery man in Pennsylvania who died when a bomb strapped to his neck exploded after he was apprehended by police for robbing a bank. For more details, go here.
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dstnzrkl
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... I thought it was definitely good, but you have to be expecting a decently stupid comedy and nothing else. It did deliver at that for sure. |
xtremetimma
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... I have heard so many people say its not good so i'll probably pass on this one |
Amora Elvenstar
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... Wow, I can't believe this was based on a true story but I totally agree with your rating. I personally thought it was pretty awful. |
bigt7117
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... The movie was okay but I would of been upset if I paid to see it. I for 1 despise Jesse Eisenberg. Sorry I can't stand the guy and he's not a great actor. Maybe if they would of had a different actor it could of been a better movie. I don't know why Hollywood can't seem to make a great movie with several funny actors. Would a 2nd showing help? Who knows!!!!!! |
twtcad
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... I couldn't agree more....yes there were laughs, but like you said it just didn't click! |
dbsouto
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... I loved him in Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express. Outside of that....I can no longer stand McBride. BUT, I thought this movie was pretty damn funny, and if I get enjoyment out of it, that's the whole point in my book. |
rlm6370
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... He's great as Kenny Powers in "Eastbound and Down" and he was also great in Tropic Thunder |
BountyHunterDan
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... I agree with Mr Hudak in that "McBride always has the same expression on his face. Or that all of his jokes sound the same, regardless of what he’s actually saying. Or that he always plays an unlikeable jerk" but I thought he was funny in Pineapple Express but thats probably because I had never seen him in anything before. His act is tired. @Bunnygod......That is very wierd |
Bunnygod
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... Before my screening of this was when the alleged bomb was placed on that Australian. Weird huh |
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