Movie Review: Role Models

“Role Models” is a silly, funny movie, much in the manner of Aptow films. The two main characters are friends in their 30′s who seem like they are going nowhere in life. When they get assigned community service as big brothers the adventures begin. The script by Paul Rudd and director David Wain is well written for a buddy style movie and much of it is genuinely funny. Paul Rudd, comic master that he is, steals the show as he often does and delivers his lines with ease. The team of Rudd and Scott work well together and the comic pacing is great. There is quite a bit of foul language including from one of the young stars of the movie, which ends up being pretty hilarious. The nerdy live action role playing game is a focus of the latter half of the movie and is great fun to watch.

The movie features excellent comic performances from Rudd, Scott, Banks, Mintz-Plasse and Thompson, along with a strong supporting cast. The comedy works well here, this is a movie styled much like “Old School” buddy humor but with a unique storyline. There are some touching moments in “Role Models” but all in all this is a comedy film made for crazed character interaction and laughs. There may be some predictable moments here and there but more often than not unusual comic situations and interesting characters are combined with good direction resulting in plenty of laughs.

If you are easily offended by language and crass situations this may not be the movie for you. If you are looking for a fun buddy style movie with some great laughs try “Role Models” on for size.

2008. Directed by David Wain, written by Paul Rudd and David Wain. Starring Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb’e J. Thompson.

Rating: