Rent Ride Along (2014)

Ride Along review by George Hooper - Cinema Paradiso

It seems like Kevin Hart might just be the next big thing at the moment, a comedian with a great sense of improv as well as an ability to connect with an audience unlike many comedy actors at the moment (Seth Rogen springs to mind). Not only that but the films he has chosen have portrayed the best of his abilities (yes, even Grudge Match) as he lights up the screen with some lively comedy and a good sense of timing.

Ride Along follows Ben (Hart), a security guard who proposes to Angela (Tika Sumpter) and must face the wrath of her brother James (Ice Cube), a highly skilled police officer who thinks very little of Ben’s profession and of Ben himself. To prove himself he decides to join James on a 24 hour ride along as they patrol the streets of Atlanta and deal with all kind of criminals and situations as they struggle to get used to the idea of having each other in their lives.

While Ride Along really doesn’t have much of a plot to it besides the one I just highlighted it uses its time wisely filling the film with more jokes than you could shake a stick at. Both Hart and Ice Cube provide some great belly laughs and more than enough veiled sentiment to make this film worth it in the end. However the film is really a showreel for Hart and he makes every moment count as he turns the cowardly Ben into a different kind of monster than the average timid boyfriend. He makes Ben a boastful yet small person and yet manages to make him enjoyable and lovable at the same time. He walks a fine line but one that only makes Ben a piece of comedy gold.

The film, working off a terrific script is carefully crafted to never make you pick sides between Ben or James as each of them have their moments to act like asses trying to defend their honour. The film is really about what happens when you put together two people who are completely different and how they both frustrate and intrigue each other at the same time and while the film does have its dry moments I don’t think there has been a better comedy this year and I highly recommend giving it a go just so that you can say you saw the film that truly but Hart on the map