Review: This week’s three releases couldn’t be more different (Includes first-hand account)

Get Hard (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)

When millionaire hedge fund manager James (Will Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars.

If you’re going to create a movie that parodies racial and class stereotypes, a good start is pairing Ferrell’s absurdity with Hart’s affable comedy. No matter how outrageously offensive James can be, it’s still possible to laugh at and like the character in spite of his ignorance. In fact, his desperation and naiveté are major contributors to his amiability. Darnell, on the other hand, uses stereotypes and movies to “prepare” James by recreating a prison environment in the soon-to-be inmate’s mansion with the help of his staff. While Darnell’s unorthodox training may actually help James, he and the staff of minorities also use it as an opportunity to punish James for his racism. Seeing Hart help a white person in some capacity is nearing shtick levels, but the combination of an amusing script (which includes a plot lifted from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and improvisation still make this worth a watch.

Special features include: deleted scenes; “Line-O-Ramas”; “The Kevin Hart Workout”; “Ferrell Fighting”; and gag reel. (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)

The Gunman (Blu-ray)

It has been eight years since Jim Terrier (Sean Penn) worked as a black-ops assassin and now someone from his old organization wants him dead. Pursued across Africa and Europe by a team of elite hit men, Terrier is dragged back into his dangerous past as he engages in a relentless cat-and-mouse game to take out the man who betrayed him.

If the movie were to follow-up on the consequences of Jim’s actions in the Congo and the implications of the lawless manner in which multinationals operate in such countries, it could have been more meaningful and differentiated itself from other pictures in the genre. Instead, the only thing that distinguishes Jim from similar characters is his illness; but it’s also what makes parts of the picture sort of ridiculous. There are times when Jim is stumbling away from enemy fire and they are still unable to shoot or overtake him. Otherwise it’s all quite standard. Penn is up to the task and definitely physically fit to play the ex-special forces mercenary. Javier Bardem is a fantastic scumbag audiences will love to hate. In contrast, Ray Winstone is Jim’s likeable comrade who always his back. And Idris Elba also has a small role that simply appears unnecessary in the end.

There are no special features. (Elevation Pictures and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

While We’re Young (Blu-ray)

After middle-aged filmmaker Josh (Ben Stiller) and his wife Cornelia (Naomi Watts) meet a free-spirited twenty-something couple (Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried), they adopt a new lifestyle complete with hip-hop dance lessons and mind-expanding parties. But with each attempt to act young, Josh and Cornelia start to appreciate the rewards of growing old together.

Age often feels like it creeps up on you, until suddenly you realize you’re not that young anymore and in spite of your best efforts you’ve become an uninteresting adult with a predictable routine. Josh and Cornelia are content, but not choosing the path of parenthood is also causing some strain in their previously favourable friendships. The twenty-somethings seem like a blessing sent to reinvigorate them, but their differences eventually become unbearable. It’s amusing to watch Josh and Cornelia rediscover their vigour while often looking ridiculous. It’s also easy to identify with their characters who are realistically similar to you or someone you know. A major contributing factor is the acting, which appears genuine — and it’s always nice to see Stiller in a more dramatic role.

Special features include: behind-the-scenes featurette. (Elevations Pictures)

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