First Hit: Somewhat funny at times but overall somewhat lame.
I was surprised by how many people were in the theater for this film. At the end of the film, it still surprised me.
Paul Rudd plays Danny the spokesman for an energy drink company. Seann William Scott plays Wheeler, the mascot for this energy drink company. Together they travel to schools and make lame speeches to young people about why they should be drinking energy drinks versus taking drugs.
Danny hates his job and Wheeler loves his. Danny is depressed and his smart beautiful girlfriend Beth (played by Elizabeth Banks), who is a lawyer, is tired of his attitude. In a rage, partially kicked off by Beth ending their relationship, Danny breaks the law.
Instead of jail Beth works out a 120 hour mentor and friend program where both Danny and Wheeler become “Bigs” to a couple of kids, “Smalls”. They each end up with a kid who has their own issues about how to relate to others. As you might expect, everyone in the films learns a lesson and it is in the process of learning these lessons that the cute gags are created.
There wasn’t any strong standout acting in this film but the overall ensemble portrayed their characters well enough. However, I do think the boys Bobb’e J. Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse did a very credible job and they are what held the film together.
Overall: Role Models is out loud funny at times but is not a solid comedic film.