ViewGuide

Created May 03, 2009 08:31AM PST • Edited May 03, 2009 08:31AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   Role Models is not exactly the comedy you’re thinking you’re going to find at first glance. The cover shows Seann William Scott slugging what may or may not be alcohol (it is covered in a paper sack, after all) while Paul Rudd may or may not be urinating on the wall. The idea is simple…“Who would let these guys be role models?” and it works. Paul rudd plays Danny, a man fed up with his job, his life, and everyone around him. Simple things like the title “venti” for a large coffee upset him for the entire day, and he not so subtly sells energy drinks to high schools with his friend, wheeler. After an incident, they are forced to community service at “sturdy wings”, where the lack of conscience and responsibility is put to the test when wheeler gets foul mouthed Ronnie and Danny is assigned to Augie, a young man who participates in live action role playing. The film is hilarious, which is expected from a script by David Wain and Paul Rudd, and directed by David Wain. Would this movie be recommended? if you like your humor both broad and subtle at the same time, and highly vulgar in all the right places…then yes. but a more conservative viewer may be a little off put by some of the humor. Other than the few, you’ll be hard pressed to find a funnier film in 2008 than Role Models.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   Paul Rudd basically plays Paul Rudd, which is shocking that he does so well (sarcasm). Shamefully that is a high compliment, as Paul Rudd seems to be the only one capable of such sardonic one liners and subtle quips. Key line from him “Why did you put presence in quotes? Are you implying that we’re not here?” Rudd’s Danny had me laughing constantly, and it is good to finally watch such a talented comedian finally get his chance to be the star and shine like expected in a terrific role. Likewise, Seann William Scott is perfect as Wheeler, the more promiscuous, less driven member of the principal cast. His interactions with Ronnie (bobb’e J Thompson) work wonders on the audience and guarantee a smile and laughter. Elizabeth Banks does well with her slightly underwritten role, as always. The greater revelation may be that of christopher mintz-plasse, with his first role since “Mclovin”, and he nails it. augie Farks is a role that most would play strictly for laughs, but he turns a potential joke into a real living character and i believe he deserves kudos for that. a very well cast film.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    David Wain does a terrific job with the direction, which as I have stated before is typically understated in a comedy. The casting is pitch perfect, from Paul Rudd to the small role of Jane Lynch as the boss of the “Sturdy Wings”. The production is top notch, with the music (notably from the band “Kiss”) working to ease or elevate the tension of the scene. The practical effects (purposefully utilized) in the scenes involving “L.A.I.R.E.” (you’ll have to see it to believe it) are fantastic. From the ground up, a very good film in nearly all merits.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.1

    The basis of this movie is that a couple of rude, obnoxious, jerks of people become role models for unsuspecting minors, and it works. Of course, this movie wouldn’t work without a bit of sex, drugs, violence, and overall rude displays, correct? Wheeler is the bigger offender of the two, delivering a speech about “boobie watching” to a ten year old boy, having drug induced attempted sex while on a camping trip with “Sturdy Wings”, bringing ten year old boy to a booze party and then leaving him to have sex at the party,, and throwing out all kinds of cursing in front of young children. The ten year old boy mentioned, Ronnie, is also quite foul mouthed and rude. the violence in “L.A.I.R.E.” is all staged and fantasy, but it can be still be somewhat intense in places, but nothing too severe. The rating pretty much comes down to the sexual action and implications and the rudeness of the characters. Still highly recommended, but be prepared to sit with mouth agape in a couple of places.

17. Sex Titillating 2.3

18. Violence Gentle 1.4

19. Rudeness Profane 2.6

21. Reality

    Glib 1.5

    while being in a surreal state of film, this is a world where everything is completely possible. While the idea of them having 30 days to do 150 hours of community service is a bit on the fantastical side, the method of community service, the severity of the crime, and the situations that they find themselves in all seem reality-based enough to feel as if the world you are watching is a real one. Never once did i find myself watching this, thinking “yeah right.” This is a film based in the real world with a few “coincidences” thrown in for good measure. But if a comedy didn’t at least involve minor elements of such, then there would be no reason to watch.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.5

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 1.4