As the first comedy of the year, “The Wedding Ringer” mostly falls flat.
“The Wedding Ringer” stars Josh Gad as loner Doug Harris and Kevin Hart as best-man-for-sale Jimmy Callahan.
The movie centers on geeky Harris, who is getting married in two weeks and realizes that he has no one to be his best man. Enter Hart’s character, who provides best man services to grooms in need. Unimaginative, lame jokes ensue.
With an intriguing premise and talented comedic cast, the movie has a chance to push the boundaries and be more than a bland buddy comedy. Instead, it toes the line and never fully realizes its potential becoming generic and predictable.
The bright spots of the movie are overshadowed by its lowbrow humor and uninspired plot. There is nothing fresh or new here, it’s all been seen before.
Even with the conventional storyline, the movie has a chance to be really funny. Gad and Hart as the two leads are characters the audience can root for. Though not everyone likes Hart’s brand of comedy, he does well in the film and so does Gad. All of this potential is wasted on easy jokes and underdeveloped supporting characters.
The best part of “The Wedding Ringer” is the chemistry between Gad and Hart. Their chemistry keeps the movie from being a total failure. The movie does have its funny moments, and they all come in scenes in which Gad and Hart get to play off of each other. 
Gad and Hart also bring genuineness to the movie. They make for believable friends, and their chemistry sets up some nice heart-felt moments throughout.
Jenifer Lewis does well as nurturing Doris Jenkins, and Alan Ritchson garners a few laughs as stuttering stripper Kip.
What makes “The Wedding Ringer” worse off is everything else. Gad and Hart’s chemistry isn’t enough to save this dull movie. Ultimately, it comes off as trying too hard to be funny, and it fails.
The movie is just a disappointment. It’s stale and obvious, and doesn’t take beneficial risks, it could and should be so much better, especially with its cast.
It has a chance to employ the same kind of humor that made “The Hangover” a hit, but unlike that film, “The Wedding Ringer” underwhelms and never quite goes the distance it can.