Kevin Hart’s stand-up is so hilarious that, at times, it’s almost too disappointing that his movies aren’t nearly as up-to-par.
That said, his latest with the bulky, but ever so charismatic Dwayne Johnson, “Central Intelligence,” proves to be his best film outing yet.
As Calvin Joyner, Hart plays someone who was the most popular guy in high school and now, nearly 20 years later, has turned into your typical, middle-class working man. He’s still married to his high school sweetheart and has a fine job as an accountant, but it’s not as special as he planned it to be all those years ago.
Now though, with the reunion coming up, Calvin is suddenly approached by Bob Stone (Johnson), a fellow student of his who, at the time, was obese and embarrassed in front of the high school at the pep-rally. Now, however, Bob is big, muscular,\\ and as charming as ever. From here on out, the movie takes a simple premise, adds on a CIA conspiracy and gets a little crazy, but is still funny because Johnson and Hart are so charming that they make every second work.
Even if the material isn’t always perfect, they both seem to love working together and it’s hard not to feel the excitement.
2.5 stars out of 5Dan O’Neill is currently a journalism student at Temple University. He can be reached at tuf73940@temple.edu.