Central Intelligence
(2016)Saving the world takes a little Hart and a big Johnson.
Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart team up for this buddy-cop comedy from the director of We’re the Millers. After he reunites with an old pal through Facebook, a mild-mannered accountant is lured into the world of international espionage.
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Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Aaron Paul, Amy Ryan, Danielle Nicolet, Brett Azar
Written by Rawson Marshall Thurber, David Stassen, Ike Barinholtz
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 6 providers
Flicks Review
BY Daniel Rutledge Flicks Writer
Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart are two of the most charming men working in Hollywood today and seeing them crack wise off each other was always going to be great. It's a shame they've gotten together for such a tired story with so many average jokes, but this is a very inoffensive film that is easy to enjoy.... More
Comedies in which a person is a secret agent that takes their unsuspecting co-star on a zany fish-out-of-water action adventure are extremely tired. The chance of inventiveness coming from this set-up is like the chance of Adam Sandler making a good movie. This one is a bromance rather than a romance and throws in that the badass secret agent was a fat loser in high school, whereas his buddy was the coolest teen in town who grew into a bit of a nobody.
Johnson in a CG fat suit thankfully isn't a joke for very long, as the trailer led me to fear, but some of the gags are just as poor. Having them delivered by Johnson and Hart does give everything an often amusing, always endearing quality, and a good deal of it is genuinely funny. The diverse references are highly pleasing, from Road House to 16 Candles to Breaking Bad to Goodfellas. There's also a bunch of references to Johnson's history, from Hercules to Vin Diesel to 'The Rock' and even his love of the bum bag. Sprinkled on top is a solid soundtrack, with highlights from the Notorious B.I.G., Blur, En Vogue and Drake.
The anti-bullying message is pretty cool, if a bit muddled, but the best thing about Central Intelligence is definitely the chemistry of its two leads. The blooper reel played over the end credits is one of the best bits and shows clearly just how genuine that chemistry was.Hide
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Central Intelligence
BY RealityCheck superstar
Honestly I’m so impressed with The Rock and how he got away from stupid films, out of wrestling and into some decent comedy. Like a ‘Date Nigth’ sort of comedy with bouts of ‘Rush Hour’, it’s a laugh and bit more intellectual than it lets on. It’s got that funny guy from ‘Ride Along’ and awesome big man from ‘Faster’. Worth an evening stay home viewing if you just wana chill, easy on the eyes and the mind.
Genre : Action, comedy, family
2/5 : Not... More really great, but good. The Rock has come a long way from the early 2000’s acting, keep it up Tooth Fairy!Hide
BY LetsTalk nobody
Central Intelligence is a fun time if you don't take it too seriously and don't mind a seesaw of a plot. Most but not all punchlines hit their mark. If you like Dawyne "The Rock" Johnson & Kevin Hart, go see this movie, you'll love it!
BY moviebuffed wannabe
Script is on point, a mate of mine and I giggled and snorted (yes, in parts), and in a few instances we high fived each other with our eyeballs - wait what, yes that good. If you want to goof off for an afternoon and be thoroughly entertained go see Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart actually act well, hit lines that are funny, and drop the mic. Put a fork in me - I was done after this.
BY Booper superstar
I thought Central Intelligence would be terrible - I was very surprised. It is seriously funny and the Rock is a big stand out. The supporting cast all work and even though it's 1 hour 48 it doesn't feel it. Well paced and well thought out.
Showing 5 of 5 reviews. See all reviews
The Press Reviews
68%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Won’t win any points for originality, but that doesn’t make it any less funny. Full Review
Thank the movie gods for Dwayne Johnson, who delivers a performance of such charm, such unexpected goofiness that the screen practically glows every time he appears. Full Review
The result, while instantly forgettable, is a fundamentally pleasurable experience. Full Review
Demonstrates an above-average interest in story and character, and tries, if not always successfully, to craft real comic situations and action sequences. Full Review
An action comedy without any action or comedy – not even The Rock’s charisma and enthusiasm can save this dud. Full Review
It delivers — on some basic, giddy, turn-off-your-frontal-lobes level. Full Review
Is dumb in all the right ways, and also a bit smarter than you might expect. Full Review
In the hands of a couple of less likeable performers, this could have been the sorriest load of old rubbish you'll see all year. Full Review
The Rock manages to steal scenes from his comedian co-star. Full Review
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