Stop me if you've heard this one before: A rich white man, oblivious to anything pertaining to African American culture, must team up with a financially struggling black man and
comedy ensues. Well not only is that the premise of the majority of 70's and 80's comedies, it's also the premise of "Get Hard", the newest film starring Will Ferrell; this time teamed up with Kevin Hart.
Now this is going to be a film which the vast majority of critics will not look upon favorably solely based on the fact that it's a comedy which premiered in March. And while this isn't the funniest thing in the Ferrell filmography, it is undeniable that Hart and Ferrell make a superb duo, even if the "rich white guy, poor black guy" comedy trope has been done to death. Complementing each other like (no lie) Gibson and Glover, there are a plethora of moments when, despite the early negative critical response, had me wildly surprised with the level of comedy (no matter how tangential and sophomoric) "Get Hard" operated at.
That said the film does begin to fall apart during the third act when the story leans a bit more towards the dramatic. As this happens the plot (or lack thereof) stands completely naked; essentially exposing the below average direction from Etan Cohen, as well as the simple fact that without the snappy chemistry from the two leads, "Get Hard" would've been virtually unwatchable.
Final Thought: Highlighted by more than enough moments of high caliber comedic banter, "Get Hard" will never achieve the level of memorable "comedy classic" since the story itself seems rehashed, even though "Get Hard" is funnier than "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and leaps and bounds above "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" (a movie hipsters and journalists alike incessantly quote and foolishly claim to be the funniest movie ever made).
Now this is going to be a film which the vast majority of critics will not look upon favorably solely based on the fact that it's a comedy which premiered in March. And while this isn't the funniest thing in the Ferrell filmography, it is undeniable that Hart and Ferrell make a superb duo, even if the "rich white guy, poor black guy" comedy trope has been done to death. Complementing each other like (no lie) Gibson and Glover, there are a plethora of moments when, despite the early negative critical response, had me wildly surprised with the level of comedy (no matter how tangential and sophomoric) "Get Hard" operated at.
That said the film does begin to fall apart during the third act when the story leans a bit more towards the dramatic. As this happens the plot (or lack thereof) stands completely naked; essentially exposing the below average direction from Etan Cohen, as well as the simple fact that without the snappy chemistry from the two leads, "Get Hard" would've been virtually unwatchable.
Final Thought: Highlighted by more than enough moments of high caliber comedic banter, "Get Hard" will never achieve the level of memorable "comedy classic" since the story itself seems rehashed, even though "Get Hard" is funnier than "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and leaps and bounds above "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" (a movie hipsters and journalists alike incessantly quote and foolishly claim to be the funniest movie ever made).