30 Minutes or less... Does it deliver?

Today I won a free pass to watch the upcoming movie from Sony and Columbia pictures and the director of ZOMBIELAND Ruben Fleischer, featuring the talents of Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down), Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation), and Nick Swardson (Just Go With It) in "30 minutes or less".  What follows below is my take on the movie.  I will do my best to omit any spoilers and focus on my impressions of the movie and everything involved.  Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on movies, cinematography, acting, story writing, etc.  I am merely a fan of movies and entertainment.  This is just one opinion of the movie.  I hope you enjoy reading this review.

There are actually two storylines that somehow find themselves connected.  The first story revolves around Nick (Eisenberg) and Chet (Ansari), the former being the Pizza delivery boy, driving a beat up 5.0 mustang (I do appreciate the car selection) who will get a pizza anywhere in 30 minutes or less, and the latter being a substitute history teacher who has recently gained full time status.  Nick appears to be of the slacker type and very content setting on his station in life, while Chet is looking to do better things with his life.  Both start off the movie as best friends but a conversation leads to a fight with both being very angry at each other.  No more friends (much comedy as the two fight and break up.

The other story involves Dwayne (McBride) and Travis (Swardson), two good friends who appear to be even bigger slackers than Nick.  At least Nick has a job.  Dwayne lives with his Marine father who's recent fortune won a 10 million dollar lottery.  Father is upset at Dwayne for doing nothing with his life and demeans him by antagonizing his friendship with Travis and making Dwayne do demeaning jobs around the house for low wage.  Upset and frustrated at how his father treats him, as well as how Father is frivolously spending the lottery winnings, Dwayne wishes his father were dead so that he could gain the inheritance.  Of course to drown his sorrows, Dwayne and Travis hit up the local strip club and he tells the stripper, Juicy, of all his sorrows.  As any opportunistic stripper might probably do, she first gains his trust by giving him a good look and hands on experience of the merchandise (I'm attempting to be reader friendly with the explicit descriptions, but definitely a gratuitous scene for the male audience), promises to be with Dwayne, and offers up the opportunity to off his father.  Unable to wait for his father to pass and fearing that his father may spend the entire winnings (Dwayne states that there is probably about 1-2 million left), he takes her up on the offer but needs 100,000 dollars to get it done.

Dwayne has the machinations of being a millionaire and believes he should also act like a millionaire, so how does a millionaire get 100,000 dollars?  Find someone else to do it.  Travis and Dwayne plan out how to get the money (find someone to do the dirty work) and how to assure that the money comes back to them (strap a bomb on that person).  Serendipity!!! the television airs an advertisement for Vito's pizza, "we deliver anywhere in 30 minutes or less or it's free".  And of course Nick just happens to work for Vito's pizza.  Before you know it the two stories are intertwined and the story truly begins to take off.  I will end the plot summary here so not to spoil the rest of the story.

This movie has this buddy-buddy feeling to it that is reminiscent of old 80s movies such as beverly hills cop and lethal weapon.  One person cannot do it on their own and needs the help of their best most trusted friend.  I felt that the acting from all actors fit the movie well.  I believe that Jesse Eisenberg does a great job as a down and out slacker who doesn't have much to live for but when put into life-threatening situations presents that balance of fear and confidence.  I enjoy Aziz Ansari on Parks and Rec as Tom Haverford but felt that his performance in 30 minutes or less was more about delivering the comic relief to Eisenberg's peril.  I would have liked to see the character of Chet not feel so much like Tom Haverford, eventhough that's probably what the director was looking for.  Danny McBride does a fantastic job of being this wanna-be criminal mastermind.  His performance felt like someone who was trying to be a bad-ass but doesn't really know how to do it.  I thought it was great to see Nick Swardson away from an Adam Sandler movie.  His character of Travis, a simpleminded good friend with a good heart but wants to fit in, was well delivered and for me was the character I was felt was most believable.  However, I think of Michael Pena (the assassin that is hired to kill Dwayne's father) steals the movie with his delivery of a threatening character who also provides good comic relief.  His scenes are the one's that I remember most from the movie.

I felt there were times when the story did putter for a little but I never felt bored or that the movie was going too slow.  The movie is full of one-liners that are delivered very well (especially the exchange between Dwayne and Travis at the end of the movie) and keeps the comedy laughter going.  I was concerned that the characters were not developed enough throughout the movie and some of the plot felt forced.

For me the best part was the soundtrack.  I wish I could remember all the songs that were used but I know I was bobbin my head throughout most of the first 3rd of the movie and then to put in Glenn Frey's "The Heat is On" further solidified my take about this being one of those buddy type movies.  It just had that feel, especially the things that Chet does for Nick, despite their rocky friendship.

How does it all turn out... watch the movie.  For a comedy that provides consistent laughs with enough action to keep you entertained and hooked, as well as some well placed plot twists, this could be the movie for you.  I cannot compare this movie to others that have come out this summer but I will give this a 8.5/10.  I feel it solidly delivers.

What to expect here!

Hi all for taking the time to stop by this blog.  As the title suggests, the best number is Free and I will be blogging about my antics and endeavors that only cost me Free money.  This could be anything from a free lunch, a free movie, a free trip, etc.  Enjoy!