You've had a bad day. Not just "I'm feeling kind of stressed" bad, or "my co-workers are all jerks" bad, but "dumped by my girlfriend in the face of an existential crisis" bad, and you make one tiny mistake and end up looking at 30 days in prison or 150 hours of community service. Which do you take? The community service, right? How could it be worse than prison?
Role Models is the story of two men, Sean William Scott (American Pie) and Paul Rudd (The 40 Year Old Virgin), who work as anti-drug spokespeople for an energy drink company until they wind up in trouble with the law and are forced to become mentors for a pair of youngsters, played by Chirstopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) and Bobb'e J. Thompson (Columbus Day), as part of community service. After re-considering their option of going to jail, the men re-evaluate their lives through their relationships with the boys and all the usual plot points fall out as they should. There is nudity, profanity and LARPing. So… good times, right?.
Overall, the story isn't original or compelling, but makes up for the lack of originality with snappy dialogue, some really absurd characters, and a vicious performance by Bobb'e J Thompson as the demon child desperately in need of an older companion. Both Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd play to their strengths in terms of character, and, as usual, they're funny. The supporting cast, though, really shines in terms of ludicrous characters. This is helped by the world of LAIRE, a Live Action Role Playing (LARP!) Game in which the players dress up as members of their own fantasy kingdom and then engage in combat with fake weapons. The movie delivers a couple of low blows to the LARPing community, highlighting some of the more ridiculous people that associate themselves with such activities.
The DVD has a hilarious set of special features, including Deleted Scenes, Bloopers and several "In-Character and Off-Script" interviews with members of the cast. There are also features about the making of Role Models and about the thought behind the in-movie Live Action Role Playing Game LAIRE. Overall, the special features are worth checking out for the antics of the cast, who are as funny behind the camera as they are onscreen.
Ultimately, Role Models is a funny movie despite it's unoriginal premise. The sharp dialogue, absurd characters and an excellent cast make the movie well worth a try.
ComicsOnline.com gives Role Models 3 out of 5 foam swords.
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Review by Hatch
