Related Reviews

Ian McShane

• We Are Marshall (2006)
• Kung Fu Panda (2008)
• Battle of Britain (1969)

Sissy Spacek

• Gray Matters (2007)
• An American Haunting (2006)
• North Country (2005)
• The Straight Story (1999)

Will Arnett

• Semi-Pro (2008)
• Blades of Glory (2007)

This Film On

• Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
• Rotten Tomatoes

Hot Rod

(2007)

83 min. Paramount Pictures. Director: Akiva Schaffer. Cast: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Ian McShane, Sissy Spacek, Will Arnett.

Oh, Napoleon Dynamite! What have you wrought? The answer is yet another comedy about suburban nerd-dolts whose reaches exceed their grasps. Thanks to producer Lorne Michaels, writing-directing partners Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone (all Saturday Night Live contributors) get their shot at the big screen. Raging loser Rod Kimble (Samberg), his stepbrother (Taccone), and two buddies (Bill Hader and Danny R. McBride) form a stunt crew that shoots amateur video of Rod's lame Evel Knievel-style stunts. Verbally abusive stepdad Frank (Ian McShane) likes to subdue Rod in roughhousing matches, but one day Frank announces it's transplant or bust for his heart. Unwilling to let Frank go without beating him in a fight, Rod pledges to raise the required 50 grand: "I am gonna get you better, and then I'm gonna beat you to death!" Hot Rod's at its best in short, surreal bursts, but they're all-too-infrequent—it's mostly a low-ambition movie about high ambition.