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Variety

“Hot Rod” starring Andy Samburg is the funniest movie to date

If you know me, or even if you don’t, you may know several things about me. These things may include one, my burning passion for

By Amelia Kahlhamer · · 3 min read

If you know me, or even if you don’t, you may know several things about me.

These things may include one, my burning passion for Slim Jims, two, my enthusiasm towards everything Snoop Dogg and three, that my favorite movie ever is “Hot Rod.”

With a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, wildly mixed audience reviews, and a relatively unknown existence, “Hot Rod” fulfills just the right criteria for me to make it part of my personality.

Additionally, given my obsession with men that have imperfect teeth, the presence of actor Andy Samburg is undeniably a plus.

Samburg plays Rod Kimble, a juvenile stuntman who puts on performances to raise money for his stepfather’s surgery.

Its tone, however, isn’t one of sentimality; this movie is a comedy through and through.

Supporting actors include visor-wearing Bill Hader, green-tea-drinking Danny McBride and love interest Isla Fisher.

Actor Jorma Taccone and director Akiva Schaffer are also part of the film, who, along with Samburg, make up the pop group “The Lonely Island.”

“The Lonely Island” influence is deeply felt throughout the movie —especially knowing the titles of their most popular songs.

Part of “Hot Rod”’s charm is its disjointed nature, which at times rips off other movies. The plot strays so far in some scenes that it seems like a medley of skits brainstormed in an Andy Samburg fever dream.

However, I find this absolutely hilarious. Its irrelevance is intentional and only adds to the humor.

In one scene, Rod falls down a mountainside for more than a minute straight, the scenery switching in every take.

In another, the entire town follows behind Rod and his buddies singing “You’re the Voice” by John Farnham in sync.

I think the reason “Hot Rod” scores so low in a professional sense is because people take it too seriously.

It’s meant to be dumb.

It’s meant to make you appreciate the childish and the absurd.

I watch a lot of movies, and as much as I love those that make me think, I also love those that make my stomach hurt from laughing.

Specificially, its one-liners—and delivery of those one-liners—make it the silliest, funniest, most outrageous movie on the market.

One of my personal favorites is “Man, pools are perfect for holding water.”

I can think of nothing more indicative of my personality than something so incredibly stupid.

It has the type of humor that my mom always says she doesn’t understand, but that my brother and I bond over.

If you, too, love all things slap- stick, brush off your blue cape and join Rod as he conquers stunts, gallops into wooden glens and steals my heart all in one.

“Hot Rod” will forever, and ever, be a 10/10 stars from me.