Of Role Models

Role Models is a new movie from the Apatow gang. That means it involves one of the many actors linked to Judd Apatow and his cohorts. In this case it's Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks and Chris Mintz-Plasse. This group of actors, directors and writers tend to cast each other in each others movies and they've produced some really good movies (Forgetting Sarah Marshall and 40 Year Old Virgin). Role Models is an incredibly funny movie and if you're looking to go see a comedy movie at the moment, this is probably you're best bet for a laugh (although The Wrestler is incredibly funny at points, whilst also being incredibly bleak at the same time).

So the movie is essentially about two guys who sell energy drinks to children and convince them to get off drugs. Paul Rudd's character is tired of his job and his life. This attitude manages to convince his girlfriend to dump him and because of this he decides to go on a rampage which ends up with him having to do community service by being a role model for small children. This is where the hilarity ensues. Of course the children are dysfunctional. Sean William Scott's character because a mentor for Ronnie, a small black children with a penchant for swearing and breasts (they fit into this movie far better than Sex Drive). Paul Rudd on the other hand gets Augie played by Superbad's McLovin. You know it's awesome now. Augie is a nerd, out and out. He's got no friends and enjoys playing LAIRE. Imagine Dungeons and Dragons or World of Warcraft in real life and you get the picture.

So this where the movie really kicks off. It also manages to do the emotional grounding well. Whilst it isn't as strong as other movies of the same ilk, this one surprisingly does feel too long like Superbad did. Whilst there is a bit of a dip in the middle (it's very slight) it still manages to come back for incredibly strong ending. The entire last scene is based around the LAIRE game but I won't spoil it for you, I will say however that it is better than the ending for Sex Drive which definitely proves just how hilarious it really is.

Role Models is a lot of fun. There are great supporting roles from everyone. There's the ex-drug addict who runs "Sturdy Wing" (the role model agency), Augie's step-dad (ZOMG KEN MARINO FROM VERONICA MARS!!!) and Ronnie, trust me this kid will have you in hysterics, an awesome turn of a comedy from such a young actor, whilst it isn't as strong as the kids in the Wire, this kid is able to turn every single line that he gets into comic gold. However the true star is Augie. Christopher Mintz-Plasse however steals the show however, just as he did in Superbad. His turn in Role Models is entirely different to that of Superbad but is still hilarious. Instead of being the sex starved teenager with no back bone, in this he plays a lovable nerd whose parents just don't understand him. He's found what he wants to do but his parents just don't understand it and put him in for "Sturdy Wings". It really is a incredibly funny role, which amazingly comes to life most during the LAIRE scenes.

Overall Role Models is a funny comedy movie. There's a bit of romance between Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks (Paul Rudd gets some amazing sarcastic lines off as well) and also Christopher Mintz-Plasse gets a girl as well. Well worth checking out. 8/10