'Hot Chick' fails to sizzle
By Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal
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| THE HOT CHICK (Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, profanity and drug references.) One and One-Half Stars (Poor-to-Fair)
Typical teen comedy marred by a leading man who isn't up to the task and a script that banks on politically incorrect humor — even when it's not funny. Starring Rob Schneider. Directed by Tom Brady, Touchstone, 100 minutes. |
The sight of Schneider in a dress does have comic value, which means posters for his latest effort, "The Hot Chick," will draw at least some fans to theaters. Because they are fans — a title requiring enjoyment of Schneider's previous drivel — they may even defend this effort.
In "The Hot Chick," he plays two characters. The first is a man, a near-mute thug who lives in squalor and makes ends meet by robbing gas stations. The second is Jessica Spencer, a self-centered cheerleading captain who uses her good looks to score free coffee, tease men and abuse less-attractive women. Schneider tackles the latter role thanks to a body-swapping plot twist.
Men and women exchanging shells is not a new film-concept. In fact, it's one Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin exploited to great effect in the 1984 comedy "All of Me." If nothing else, "The Hot Chick" proves what a gem that film was.
Although Schneider isn't as funny as Martin, the real problem is the script. But that doesn't let our star off the hook because he co-wrote it with director Tom Brady with whom he also co-wrote "The Animal."
We could call their work laughable, but that might mistakenly be construed as a compliment. What it is, is misguided.
The film first demonstrates how imprudent Jessica is, walking us through stunts that further her reputation by trampling those around her. At this point, Jessica is played by Rachel McAdams, an appropriately attractive young actress.
The setup is cute and feels a lot like the average television sitcom. While this isn't high praise, it is the high point of the film, and some early gags are even funny.
As soon as McAdams and Schneider make the switcheroo, however, the movie takes a downturn, leaving the land of TV comedy and becoming as bad as only a movie can. Most of the jokes involve pratfalls, sight gags and politically incorrect humor that isn't funny.
It's push-the-limits teen comedy, the type written by people who can't come up with a legitimate farce, and it's used so extensively that good bits are hopelessly overshadowed.
The ending is appropriately typical, and anyone more than 10 will be able to tell you where it's headed without seeing the film.
Will Jessica get her hot body back? Will she learn not to trample the feelings of others? Will Rob Schneider make another bad movie? I can't stand the suspense.
Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, profanity and drug references.
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