Score: 2/5
It’s hard to say whether or not a more polar opposite duo could be spawned on screen in comparison to the combination of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart.
Both well known and relatively well respected in the comedic community, Ferrell and Hart definitely offer an interesting, for lack of a better word, performance in their new movie “Get Hard,” under the direction of Etan Cohen.
Aside from the title being used as a mildly funny, yet annoyingly repetitive sexual innuendo every other scene, “Get Hard” generally fails to present the tear-jerkingly hilarious hour and half that fans have come to expect from these two comedians.
The movie follows millionaire James King, played by Ferrell, and his prison-survival instructor Darnell, played by Hart, preparing him for his sentence in maximum security prison San Quentin.
Darnell falls into his unorthodox teaching position after King assumes he has been to prison, based upon his race, and offers him $30,000 to “make him hard” enough to survive his stint in jail.
Naturally, Darnell has never actually been to prison, so he is forced to create a readiness routine that is equally ridiculous and dangerous for the unsuspecting King.
Unlike Ferrell’s past movies, the seemingly fearless actor didn’t take the same artistic risks in “Get Hard.” Though it’s possible the writing is to blame, no part of the script pushes the envelope to the same degree for which Ferrell is known, and Hart comes off oddly lovable and harmless for such a bold stand-up comedian.
Half of the film is spent in anticipation for the big laugh that will make the payment worth it, unfortunately that moment never really arrives and the audience is left in a state of indifference and possibly disappointment.
The film is rushed through without any real attention to detail, and the audience is left wondering if why an entire movie is revolved around a man being prepared for prison without showing what actually happens when he gets there.
Overall, “Get Hard” supplies a few brief chuckles and an excuse to get out of the house but little more. Viewers should not expect another “Step Brothers” caliber performance nor should Cohen expect much praise for his stale comedy.