Review of Hot Rod (2007) by Timothy S — 28 Nov 2011

The well has apparently run dry on "Saturday Night Live" sketches and/or cast members making the way to the big screen, and long-time producer Lorne Michaels seems to be pushing the newest batch of "Not Ready for Primetime Players" into the movies before they are ready. Many of them have been great in supporting parts in good movies, but newcomer Andy Samberg is clearly not ready to star in his first feature.

The occasionally amusing, mostly forgettable result is called "Hot Rod". This amateurish film has some laughs, but mostly I sat there patiently waiting for it to be over. Samberg is likable in the lead role, but he's clearly out of his element and nowhere near ready to anchor his own film.

This is closely patterned after the early Adam Sandler films, apparently hoping that lightning will strike twice. There's the dorky, immature lead character who inexplicably attracts an unbelievably hot chick, this time out played by the attractive and appealing Isla Fisher. There's the goofy but nevertheless fun collection of '80's music on the soundtrack. And of course the hot chick is with the biggest jerk on the planet but only sees that once she falls for the movie's star. There are some good moments here, but not nearly enough of them.

"Hot Rod" is much like a "SNL" episode, with just as many jokes that hit as ones that bomb. It's not a good film, but it could be a stepping stone to a promising career.