DVD
REVIEW: ROLE MODELS
03/08/09
SYNOPSIS:
Danny and Wheeler are two
salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled
bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do
hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship
program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn’t
look half bad. Surrounded by annoying dogooders, Danny
struggles with his every neurotic impulse to guide Augie
(Christopher Mintz-Plasse) through the trials of becoming a
man. Unfortunately, the guy just dumped by his girlfriend
(Elizabeth Banks) has only sarcasm to offer a bashful
16-year-old obsessed with medieval role play. Meanwhile,
charming Wheeler tries to trade in an addiction to partying
and women to assist a fifth-grader named Ronnie (Bobb’e
Thompson) redirect his foulmouthed ways. It would probably
help if Ronnie’s new mentor wasn’t an overgrown adolescent
whose idea of quality time includes keggers in Venice Beach.
Once the center’s ex-con director (Jane Lynch) gives them an
ultimatum, Danny and Wheeler are forced to tailor their
brand of immature wisdom to their charges. And if they can
just make it through probation without getting thrown in
jail, the world’s worst role models will prove that,
sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.
REVIEW:
Wheeler: [sits down] What up, Ronnie?
Ronnie: I don't wanna take my pants off!
Wheeler: [stunned] What?
“What?” is right! This movie has kids in it and it deals
primarily with kids, but it ain’t no Sesame Street, I’ll
tell you that much. Actually, one of the kid roles, Ronnie
Shields, played by Bobb’e J. Thompson, contributes to the R
rating of this flick mainly by his dialogue. He pretty much
steals the screen whenever he is on it, and he is arguably
the funniest performer out of the entire cast beating out
laugh masters Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd. Still, they
are as good as you would expect as the two co-workers,
Wheeler and Danny, who are thrust into spending “quality
time” with a couple of youngsters in order to satisfy a
court order. What they didn’t know is how difficult that
would be when presented with two extra special youngsters.
Having to do something out of obligation is always a lot
less appealing than when you choose to do something. So even
though they lack the desire and enthusiasm, they inevitably
learn just how lacking they are as role models. Everyone
does some growing up and puts their lives in better
perspective. In this case you might wonder, who really were
the role models, the older guys or the kids themselves.
This movie was really funny and a lot of fun to watch.
However, an R rated movie that is all about relationships
with children is a bit much. It could have been a little
more clever and witty considering the subject matter, and
tamed down to a PG-13. But then again, the funniest moments
are generated by the outrageous, R rated type humor which is
amplified by the unexpected sources, such as Ronnie. It’s a
tough call. Another source of pleasantly surprising humor
comes from someone who I believe to be underrated. Jane
Lynch has played some unforgettable roles with unforgettable
lines and this movie adds to that collection. She is sharp
as can be with incredible line delivery in the role of Gayle
Sweeny, the director of the mentorship program. On the other
hand, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the kid paired up with
Danny, Augie, is good but not quite as memorable as in his
infamous “McLovin” role in Superbad. Elizabeth Banks, who
has been pretty busy lately, doesn’t really contribute a
whole lot to this picture which disappointed me a tad. She
plays Danny’s girlfriend and lawyer.
The script, humor, and one-liners in this movie are top
shelf or least the next shelf down. It helps that this
comedy does have something of a story to it to keep you
going in between the humorous moments. Director and
Co-writer David Wain doesn’t have a huge cinematic resume so
kudos to him for a job well done with this project. Of
course when you have a talented cast to work with, some of
the pressure is alleviated.
Film
Review By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
DVD: The DVD is
presented in 1.85:1 aspect ration preserving the
theatrical presentation of the film. The picture is
complemented with a 5.1 Dolby Digital audio tracks
in three different languages, English,
Spanish and French.
The DVD includes the
theatrical and the unrated versions of the movie.
The unrated version is 3 minutes longer that the
theatrical version. The special features are
average in this DVD release. It only contains 3 short
special features that focus mainly in the making of the
film, but don't offer that can be call a must see. It
also includes over 20 minutes of deleted scenes, so if
you enjoyed the movie, you probably will enjoy these
deleted and alternate takes as well. Finally the DVD
Feature Commentary With Director Davind Wain, which I found to be the most interesting feature of
the DVD.
VIDEO:
1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
AUDIO:
English,
Spanish and French
5.1 (Dolby Digital).
Subtitles - English Spanish
French - Optional
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Deleted Scenes
and Alternative Takes: Laugh out loud to over 20
minutes of hilarious never-before-seen moments. (24:20)
Bloopers (3:52)
On The Set Of Role Models: An inside look at the
making of the film. (7:41)
Game On: Creating a Role Playing World: A detailed
look at The Laire Event, including fight choreography,
costumes, L.A.R.P.ing (Live Action Role Playing) and
numerous behind-the-scenes moments with the cast and the
extras. (9:46)
In- Character & Off-Script: Learn more about the
supporting characters from the film and watch the brilliant
improvisational actors at the top of their craft. (8:07)
Feature Commentary With Director/Co-Writer Davind Wain
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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