Central Intelligence

It is exactly what it looks like at face value.

A little Hart and a big Johnson is a duo to be yearned for, and if you believe in the relationship, "Central Intelligence" just might be the perfect option for a Saturday afternoon. Simply put, it is a lighthearted adventure that relies very heavily on its star actors to put on a comedic show. As a result, your evaluation or impression of this film lies mostly on your affinity towards Kevin Hart and The Rock, both of whom are (let's be honest here) THE most likable entertainers available. As the trailer makes it clear, the premise of "Central Intelligence" is about two high school buddies Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart) and Bob Stone (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, get it?) on two total opposite ends of the popularity spectrum who meet up again 20 years later. One turns out to be an accountant while the other peaks as a CIA agent. As all spy films go, Calvin and Bob get entangled with typical super spy stuff, and at the same time, figuring out their seemingly incompatible relationship. The chemistry between Kevin Hart and The Rock is what elevates "Central Intelligence" to greater comedic heights. Calvin, whose best days are way behind him, is shackled under one precarious predicament after another with Bob, the id of a deadpan worrywart. If Calvin says that he's "not in", Bob throws him in a mail cart anyways and as a duo against Calvin's will, they jump off a ten story building with at least ten trained guns hailing a firestorm from above. This is their relationship.

Nevertheless, if you expect to find a single quality that constitutes great cinema, you are looking at the wrong place. There is a clear attempt to pair the cast with a plot that is less cliche, by dropping in a some twists and turns with character development and story reveals. However, in light of compressing this film in less than 2 hours and conflicting between humor and seriousness, the pacing is amiss, combined with very predictable dialogue and awkward tonal shifts to the point of hilarity (which is surely unintended). As a production value, it feels underwhelming and confusing as a result of the film forcing itself to be something, when it frankly is nothing. The only truly successful delivery here is Kevin Hart and The Rock, the main spectacles of "Central Intelligence". To be fair, this is an adventure about two former high school friends who build a rather eccentric relationship as adults. It's a process, more so than a story. In that sense, there is a plethora of moments when laughing is called for, which is the entire point of "Central Intelligence". It's a shallow film, but also an entirely revisitable summer title if you ever need a reminder what a Kevin Hart and The Rock relationship is like on a high school reunion note.

Verdict: Agreeable 6

Release Date: June 17, 2016

Box Office: $217 million

Rewatchable: Yes

Sometimes, it's like they are not acting at all.