Rated R for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language.
B+
THE OPENING
Get Him to the Greek is easily the best movie (so far) of Summer 2010 and one of the funniest movies since The Hangover
THE STORY
Aaron Green is a peon at a record company. When his boss Sergio tasks the team to come up with a moneymaking idea, Green proposes bringing back rock superstar Aldous Snow to the Greek Theater to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking concert. The problem is, Aldous has gone underground since the disastrous release of his single "African Child" which was called the worst thing to happen to Africa. Ever. But both Sergio and Aldous agree to the concert, and now it's up to Aaron to fly to the UK, pick up Aldous and get him to the Today Show and the Greek Theater, all within three days. But Aldous is a bit on the crazy (drunk, high) side and isn't about to make this easy on Aaron...
THE REVIEW
Get Him to the Greek kind of snuck up on me. The previews were OK, but I do love Jonah Hill and Russell Brand (in small doses) so I thought I'd give this a shot. And it was well worth it. This movie is funny from start to finish, filled with random cameos (big shout out to Tom Felton for agreeing to be made fun of) and a great supporting cast. The story is simple - getting someone from one place to another - so that isn't the real focus. The movie is really about putting Aaron into places out of his comfort zone. Really far out of his comfort zone.
The movie starts with a quick history of Aldous Snow, as he goes from the top rock artist in the world, to someone whose girlfriend breaks up with on national television. After seven years of being sober, Aldous goes on the bender to end all benders, which lasts another seven or so years. After a while, the only thing Aldous knows is how to get drunk and get high. The music has left him. Aaron on the other hand, has a girlfriend who he loves, but doesn't get to see that much. When the chance to meet his idol is thrown at him, he jumps at it, but it leads to a falling out with his girlfriend. But this opens Aaron up to a whole new world of high living and loose women, and he, somewhat reluctantly, takes advantage, thanks to Aldous.
Hill and Brand work really well together as a completely mismatched pair of misfits. Neither of them stray outside their comfort zone of acting. Hill is the big schlub who questions everything in a quiet, hysterical way, while Brand is the outgoing loudmouth who wants everyone to hear everything he says. But together they have this bond that was rather touching. In order to like this movie however, you really need to like at least one of these actors. If you don't like their distinct styles of comedy, you won't appreciate the movie at all. But if you're a fan of either, you won't stop laughing.
Sean Combs a.k.a. whatever he's calling himself these days was extremely funny as the studio boss. He basically just played a loud, angry man who yelled a lot. But he had some of the best lines in the movie and was a great counterpunch to Hill and Brand. Just when you thought you might get tired of Hill's whiney complaints or Brand's fiery outlandishness, in stepped Combs to set them straight, even if it meant getting hit by a car. Elizabeth Moss plays Aaron's girlfriend, who works at an intern at a hospital. She's sweet and nice, but towards the end of the movie turns into a tiger which leads to a hysterical scene with her, Aaron and Aldous. Rose Byrne is drop dead gorgeous playing Aldous's ex-girlfriend and love of his life. She, like Aldous, has gone through a number of relationships since they broke up, and is currently shacking up with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. How Byrne isn't in every movie made right now is beyond me.
The best thing about the movie was that it rarely got too dramatic. A lot of these types of comedies slow down a lot and let the humor die down. But this movie never veered into the dramatic for more than a minute before hitting you over the head with something hysterical. Yes, the movie was completely predictable, as far as the story went, but the random scenes that took place during it were well worth it. I haven't laughed out loud at a movie in a long time.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So overall, I'd highly recommend Get Him to the Greek. After all the disappointment so far this summer, here is a movie that surpasses expectations.
Sean Combs a.k.a. whatever he's calling himself these days was extremely funny as the studio boss. He basically just played a loud, angry man who yelled a lot. But he had some of the best lines in the movie and was a great counterpunch to Hill and Brand. Just when you thought you might get tired of Hill's whiney complaints or Brand's fiery outlandishness, in stepped Combs to set them straight, even if it meant getting hit by a car. Elizabeth Moss plays Aaron's girlfriend, who works at an intern at a hospital. She's sweet and nice, but towards the end of the movie turns into a tiger which leads to a hysterical scene with her, Aaron and Aldous. Rose Byrne is drop dead gorgeous playing Aldous's ex-girlfriend and love of his life. She, like Aldous, has gone through a number of relationships since they broke up, and is currently shacking up with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. How Byrne isn't in every movie made right now is beyond me.
