Mutant Reviewers from Hell do
"I used to be legit. I was too legit. I was too legit to quit. but now I'm not legit. I'm unlegit. And for that reason, I must quit."

2007 PG-13 / Comedy Sports Directed by: Akiva Schaffer Starring: Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone

Tagline

Smack destiny in the face

Summary Capsule

An enterprising stuntman works his way up to the biggest stunt of his life to save his stepdad

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Amazon.com: DVD | Amazon.com: Soundtrack

Justin's Rating: Rock the night!

Justin's Review: Have you ever had a dream that you were utterly incapable of fulfilling? For me it was probably a childhood dream of being an astronaut, which stemmed from my viewing of the "Nothing Can Go Wrong" recruitment flick, Spacecamp. I mean, if all it took to get me into space was to befriend a wonky robot who would then literally interpret my offhand wish for spaceborn capacity and sling me into the wild black yonder with only a plastic bag full of air to keep me alive, then how could it not work?

"This movie embraces the spirit of 80's screwball comedies, with a synth soundtrack to carry you away to excess."

For Rod (Andy Samberg), his dream is to become the world's best daredevil stuntman, a la Evel Knievel. This is slightly hampered by the fact that his unbounding optimism always ends in horrific disaster. It takes a special sort of man to try to jump a mail truck using a rickety ramp built by your inebriated friends; it takes a specialer man to get up after the crash and declare it a near-success.

Hot Rod chronicles the life and times of this deranged stuntman, his piddly moped and his support team, as they face the ultimate challenge: to jump 15 school buses - one more than Knievel. Other than a place in the history books, what would compel a man to do such a foolish stunt? Follow me here: Rod desperately wants the love and respect of his stepfather Frank, who will only give it if Rod bests him in hand-to-hand combat. Thus far, Rod has (as with everything else) failed to do so, and when Frank's heart starts to go out, Rod realizes that the only way he can get said respect is to raise $50,000 for a heart transplant.

So that, once his stepfather is healthy, Rod can then beat him up.

Yes, if you like "weird" with your "abstract", "marshmallows" with your "chicken burger", or "Isla" with your "Fisher", then Hot Rod has a full meal of esoteric delights for your dining pleasure. This movie embraces the spirit of 80's screwball comedies, with a synth soundtrack to carry you away to excess. From Footloose-inspired dancing in the woods to a rousing parade that quickly degenerates into a riot, Hot Rod is that funny little kid in school nobody really wanted to be around, but they'd then surprise you by saying or doing something so hilarious that it quickly goes down as legend.

It's not a perfect comedy, but the overall quality really defies the bad reviews and box office it received. Samberg is a decent enough fellow, but remains a bit too bland for a leading character - I kept thinking that if Adam Sandler had taken this role, this film would've topped $200 million easy and Satan would have yet another reason to party.

Hot Rod's quickly grown on me as one of my all-time favorite comedies that's far more than the sum of its oddly parts. Do I have to beg you to give it a try? Fine. This is me, on my knees, ready to punch you in the groin if you say anything. Please see this film!

Cool beans? Yeah, cool beans.

His name... was Tod, but it was too late to change the outfit. It still beat working at Subway Woo! 4th of July! Whee!

Didja Notice? [some sources: IMDb]

• That's one honky fake moustache
• Always reinforce the takeoff ramp
• Everyone should call themselves Voltron
• Is there a good reason a pommel horse is in the middle of the forest?
• Punch dancing!
• Music montage! Of course!
• Tai Chi can make you crap your pants
• Coooool Beans!
• How most riots get started: bagpipes
• That guy... really likes dancing

Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?

Eh.

Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]

The role of Rod Kimble was originally intended for Will Ferrell.

Rod sings that he does his laundry without pants and is in his underwear. He then walks into a room, wearing pants. This blooper was entirely intentional and was planned by director Akiva Schaffer.

Groovy Quotes

Dave: I'm gonna be honest with you, Rod. You look like a giant eagle with fire all around you and you've got a mountain for a face.
Rod: I'm guessing that's the drugs, Dave.

Rod Kimble: I used to be legit. I was too legit. I was too legit to quit. but now I'm not legit. I'm unlegit. And for that reason, I must quit.

Denise: I'm sorry, Rod. What were you going to ask me?
Rod Kimble: Um, I was gonna ask you who you think would win in a fight between... a grilled cheese sandwich and a taco.
Denise: Is that what you were really going to ask me?
Rod Kimble: Of course.
Denise: Well, I think the grilled cheese sandwich - in a fair fight. But if it was prison rules, I'd put my money on the taco.
Rod Kimble: Wow, that's pretty racist, but correct. I'll see you later.

Cathy: Why do you call yourself Voltron, Dave?
Dave: I don't know Cathy, maybe because it's *super* bad ass?
Cathy: You're weird.
Dave: Hells yeah I am.

Rod Kimble: I needed to think about last night. So I galloped into a wooded glen, and after punch-dancing out my rage and suffering an extremely long and very painful fall, I realized what has to be done.

Rod Kimble: He died instantly... the next day.

Rico: I'm kinda grumpy today, dude. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I was having those dreams again. Ya know, how it's just me in a castle and I gotta fight, like, a thousand wizards and the only way to beat them is to punch them as hard as I can in their faces. Then, when I'm done, all their little wizard wives came out and wanted me to have sex with them - which is kinda weird.

Rod Kimble: Sensei, I have a question: Is there a Tai Chi move that would make a grown man crap his pants and not know why?
Denise: I'm not gonna lie to you, Rod. That move does exist. But you're not ready for it yet.

Rod Kimble: I'm officially kicking off Phase Two: Operation Fiscal Jackhammer.

Barry Pasternak: They've done it! They've raised $50,000 for Frank's conveniently priced surgery!

Soundtrack Review

Words cannot express how awesome this soundtrack is. Only by listening, can you understand. Sprinkled with plenty of quotes from the film, this is a combination of crazy Yes-themed scores and 80's power ballads. It... it loves me.

If you liked this movie, try these:

• Napoleon Dynamite
• Eurotrip
• Grandma's Boy