Review of True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016) by Thequietgamer — 11 Nov 2016

What works in Kevin James' latest "average joe turned miraculous hero" style movie is that it really does portray it's lead as a regular guy. By that I mean it doesn't go overboard making him into some unbelievably, over-the-top stupid goof. Here James plays a character that feel an everyday, believable person who just so happens to get caught up in stuff way out of his league.

That's not to say the movie isn't absurd. Yes, the events that lead to Kevin James getting mixed up in all this obviously defy reality. Not too mention seeing him survive through the increasingly dangerous scenarios is also something that just would not happen. Yet, you can still get behind everything that's happening onscreen. It's all due to how the movie carries itself.

Jeff Wadlow handles the plot and it's lead with a pretty straight face. It allows the jokes to flow more naturally from the material and ensures that nothing reaches the level of absurdly goofy (and sometimes stupid) humor you'll find in James' Happy Madison films (Paul Blart, Here Comes the Boom). As a result it's kind of a more self-respecting comedy. One that doesn't rely on fart jokes and "fat guy falls down a bunch" style humor. Wadlow actually wants you to like this guy as more than just comedic fodder and get behind him as becoming the hero. For the most part, it works. Not all of the jokes land, and the premise is ridiculous. However it's executed admirably and it's nice to see Kevin James in a comedy that actually has him playing a real character people can relate to. Mix in some solid action and you get a comedy that defies expectations and doesn't carry that Adam Sandler/Happy Madison feel that turns so many off. As a result, this one has the potential to attract a larger audience.