The Comedy Nobody Wanted to Make - Hot Rod: A Cult Classic
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- Опубліковано 2 лип 2024
- This is my video essay on the movie Hot Rod because while cinema has had a long and illustrious history of masterpieces, there’s one that has a special place in my heart. And that film was Hot Rod.
Truly a movie that reached spectacular heights in more ways than one, but sadly, it somehow was a box office flop. Why? In my view, it suffered from what I call “The Back to the Future Effect”. It was simply too revolutionary that people weren’t ready for it.
Critic after critic overlooked its underlying genius, and to bring it justice, I will show you exactly what all the critics missed. Because while it might not be perfect, Hot Rod is by all means a comedy cult classic and, in my opinion, the lonely island’s magnum opus.
This is my video exploring why.
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What is Hot Rod?
Hot Rod is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Akiva Schaffer (in his directorial debut) and written by Pam Brady. The film stars Andy Samberg as amateur stuntman Rod Kimble, whose stepfather, Frank (Ian McShane), continuously mocks and disrespects him. When Frank becomes ill, Rod raises money for his heart operation by executing his largest stunt yet. The film also stars Jorma Taccone, Sissy Spacek, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Isla Fisher and Bill Hader.
The film was initially drafted by Pam Brady (who retains full writing credit) as a vehicle for Saturday Night Live star Will Ferrell, but the project never commenced. Lorne Michaels convinced Paramount to let The Lonely Island, which was gaining fame for its work on SNL, take over the film. The group subsequently rewrote the movie with a heavy emphasis on offbeat surreal humor. It was shot in Vancouver in the summer of 2006. The score is by former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin, and the soundtrack features several songs by the Swedish rock band Europe.
Paramount Pictures released Hot Rod on August 3, 2007. It was a box-office failure, grossing only $14 million on a $25 million budget. As its producers predicted, it received mixed reviews, with critics criticizing the film's script and humor. It has become a popular cult film on home video.
ot Rod received mixed reviews from film critics upon its initial release. On Metacritic, it has an average score of 43 out of 100, based on 27 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews". On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 39% from 117 reviews, with an average rating of 4.92/10. The site's consensus reads "Hot Rod has brazen silliness and a few humorous set pieces on its side, but it's far too inconsistent to satisfy all but the least demanding slapstick lovers". After its release, Paper wrote, "Depending on whom you talk to, Hot Rod is either a terrible stinker or a really strange and wonderful movie that you can't believe they got away with making." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of B− on an A+ to F scale.
The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck criticized the film's "formulaic" script and humor, but commended Samberg's "reasonably engaging and sweet comedic screen presence.” "No one seems to have told the Lonely Island boys that the stakes are a little higher in features than they are in music videos and that underlighted shots and sloppy editing are more distracting on the big screen than on television," wrote Marjorie Baumgarten of The Austin Chronicle. Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe called the film "playfully dumb," commenting, "The filmmakers [...] have skipped right past the kitsch of tribute and gone straight for jokey delusion [...] And in that sense, Hot Rod is post-parody, taking nothing seriously, not even being a movie." Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote, "The film's low-key Wayne's World vibe takes it only so far. I laughed, then I wished it was funnier, then I just wished it would end. Peter Debruge of Variety called the movie "yet another example of a comedy that refuses to be taken seriously-concept as clothesline for all manner of silliness." Nick Schager of Slant Magazine noted that the trio "care far less about clever plotting than random ridiculousness," deeming the film "a tired rehash of every SNL alum's big-screen debut since Adam Sandler's Billy Madison."
And if you’re still reading this - hello.
This video is made through Fair Use under copyright law for the purposes of education in criticism or review; as well as parody or satire.
www.copyright.gov/title17/92c
www.copyright.org.au/ACC_Prod - Фільми й анімація
This has been my favorite comedy film since it aired, i still watch it today and laugh my ass off. Absolutely pure comedy without the need of a ton of cursing or sexual themes.
Agreed. It’s rare how he can not lean into those themes and still be hilarious.
Everyone in the cast is at their absolute funniest in this movie
They’re at their peaks
His " Life is Pain " quote is something I tend to say since I saw this movie
"GODS OF WAR!!!!!" May your Hammer be Mighty!
Hahahaha
Any media essay-ist that appreciates Hot Rod, deserves de best of the world. For now, I can offer my subscription.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Had a smile on my face the whole video. This has been my favorite comedy since i first saw it way back when i was 16. i still remember experiencing that wonderful feeling of euphoric nonstop laughter when he started falling down the mountain. Had to force myself to stop laughing so i could get back to breathing. but thats just one moment. the laugh ratio is off the charts and the movie just makes me happy thinking about it. great video. im always glad when other people recognize the genius of hot rod. like you said its a simple movie, but im convinced the lonely island's mentally when making the movie was 'hey wouldnt it be funny if this happened next...' and it clearly worked. Liked and Subscribed.
You are absolutely right !!!! That was my most rememberable scene lol
One of my favorite movies of all tume always makes me laugh the fact you made a video on it is cool beans
Great movie wish the Blu-Ray transfer was better but fantastic movie
What happened with the transfer
@@motioninart looks okay just not the greatest could probably do with a new transfer with the newer compression video. Codec
One of my favorite films since I first saw it as a kid, I'm excited to watch this!
It really is a hidden gem ☺️
❤️
I'm gonna need you to take me to the emergency room. Is something wrong? Nah it's probably just for precautionary reasons.😅
Into the gizzverse when been waiting 2 years 😢
:(
King Gizzard part 9 soon ?
I wish 🥲
'PromoSM'
Lol
And now I'm a have to watch it right after this vid
Let me know what you think
@motioninart shoukd have stated I've owned the DVD for over a decade 😅 it's suck a quotable movie like office space. Another one in my collection. Shame now with streaming and 'content'instead of films and media is being made cult classics may become a thing of the past 🥲. But content like yours may keep gems like this alive. Thanks mate from one aussie to another
Mate leant me his DVD. I went out right after I watched it and bought my own. I still watch it regularly today
So good
The reason why noone wanted to make this movie was because it was stupid lmao and they were right
Or so the Germans would have you believe