Ride Along

Ride Along

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/17/14

Reviewed 1/23/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

The very funny comedian Kevin Hart makes this flick worthwhile...almost. He plays meager Ben Barber who is a high school security guard and police academy wannabe. Hart plays opposite Ice Cube who is the serious cop James Payton, that does things his own way. There isn't much smoothness to the chemistry between these two, but that's okay. For the police farce Ride Along can't really be taken too serious.

Ben is dating and living with James Payton's sister Angela (Tika Sumpter). This is where it ends between Ben and James in what they have in common. Dating his sister gives Payton no reason to give boyfriend Ben any respect, even slightly. In spite of this, James devises a plan for Ben to "ride along" with him on patrol for the day. Ben who desires to be "real" law enforcement feels this is his chance. This can give him the edge to get into the academy while earning the respect from his girlfriend's hard-nut-to-crack brother. Let the adventure begin. James has planned ahead though, as throughout the day he has some zany road blocks setting up the pitiful Ben to fail. The plot is not essential to the movie and the ending is oh-so expected. But amongst all the ridiculousness, there is humor flooding from Hart that actually makes this enjoyable. He does idiot well. If you are looking for brainless comical action, then this is for you. But knowing this, not everyone will think this is worthy of a trip to the big screen. I would definitely say this is passable for OnDemand at home.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2  Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJ