Hot Rod

Name: Hot Rod
Genre: Comedy
Released: August 3, 2007
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 43
Cast: Andy Samberg, Ian McShane, Isla Fisher

2007

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 250 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 250 Ratings

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Hot Rod

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: August 3, 2007 | PG-13

Starring: Andy Samberg, Ian McShane, Isla Fisher

Summary: Amateur stuntman Rod Kimble has a problem--his step-father Frank is a jerk. Frank picks on Rod, tosses him around like a ragdoll in their weekly sparring sessions, and definitely doesn't respect him, much less his stunts. But when Frank falls ill, it's up to Rod to stage the jump of his life in order to save his step-father. The plan:Amateur stuntman Rod Kimble has a problem--his step-father Frank is a jerk. Frank picks on Rod, tosses him around like a ragdoll in their weekly sparring sessions, and definitely doesn't respect him, much less his stunts. But when Frank falls ill, it's up to Rod to stage the jump of his life in order to save his step-father. The plan: jump 15 buses, raise the money for Frank's heart operation and then...kick his ass. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: Akiva Schaffer

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 88 min

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Critic Reviews

Sean Axmaker

Hot Rod is a cousin to the comedies of Will Ferrell (for whom it was developed) with a younger skew, a kooky '80s nostalgia (complete with a pitch-perfect synthesizer score by Trevor Rabin) and a low-key amiability that keeps you rooting for Rod and company to triumph. Read full review

Peter Hartlaub

Just funny enough. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Hot Rod keeps a sweet tone that's filled with affection for its characters, and enough laughs to become this summer's most mildly recommendable comedy. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Samberg can't carry this, though director Akiva Schaffer supplies some hilarious, "Jackass"-style wipeouts and there are nice supporting turns from Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) as Rod's love interest and Bill Hader as one of his goofball friends. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Only fitfully amusing. More often, it feels like a mediocre attempt to reprise the central elements of the infinitely funnier "Napoleon Dynamite." Read full review

Peter Travers

I laughed, then I wished it was funnier, then I just wished it would end. Read full review

Michael Sragow

The filmmakers lack any visual sense of humor and any talent for sustaining long-form comedy; the stunts have less wallop than a TV bloopers show and the Oedipal family slapstick goes around in circles, in more ways than one. Read full review

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User Reviews

Sep 6, 2009

Far better than the over-rated Superbad, which was released around the same time. Hilariously awkward nerdy comedy.

3 of 3 users found this helpful

TimF.

Jan 4, 2008

It's stupid humor done to perfection.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Jun 15, 2009

Hilariously original and life-changing. I am a big fan of the Seth Rogan, Will Ferrell, and Michael Cera movies. Andy Samberg is right up there with him and he makes hilarious music videos. F*ck all of these official critics, they never say anything good about awesome movies anyway.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChrisR

Aug 31, 2007

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It reminded me a little of Napoleon Dynamite.. it had that kind of weirdness about it. Andy Samberg was hilarious and the supporting cast had their moments. Overall this was a silly weird movie that I adored. Even though this had very little hype, I believe I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It reminded me a little of Napoleon Dynamite.. it had that kind of weirdness about it. Andy Samberg was hilarious and the supporting cast had their moments. Overall this was a silly weird movie that I adored. Even though this had very little hype, I believe this is one of the best Comedies of the year!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Lynchio

Jan 2, 2020

A film that you either get it, or you don't. Similarities to Napoleon Dynamite. Predictable throughout, but somehow it just works. Well worth a watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Robwinz

Dec 11, 2020

Hot Rod is an underrated gem of a movie. The movie's got a really good story and it's about this lad, who's called Rod (Andy Samberg) who's this slacker. He lives with his mother, his brother and his stepfather (Ian Mcshane).

However, later in the movie, we find out that Rod's stepfatherHot Rod is an underrated gem of a movie. The movie's got a really good story and it's about this lad, who's called Rod (Andy Samberg) who's this slacker. He lives with his mother, his brother and his stepfather (Ian Mcshane).

However, later in the movie, we find out that Rod's stepfather needs an operation. So, Rod and his crew decide to raise some funds for it and he plans to set a school bus jumping record to earn the money for his stepfather.

The movie's got some great acting from all of the cast, especially from Rod, Dave and Frank those three are all honestly brilliant.

The movie's got some very funny dialogue, which is given well from the characters throughout this movie.

Also, the humour which this movie's got is honestly brilliant, most of the scenes throughout this movie had me dying of laughter, especially the ones with Rod doing the stunts.

The pacing for the build ups throughout this movie is very hit and miss, most of the time it works very well and the scenes are very well built up. While, some of the scenes aren't and it sort of ruins those specific scenes being built up.

There's surprisingly a good amount of heart throughout this movie, which I wasn't expecting and that's another positive for this movie.

Finally, there's some really good love and hate chemistry between Rod and his stepfather throughout this movie and it's really well built up.

The love interest between Rod and Denise (Isha Fisher) is decent and it works quite well throughout this movie.

The movie's even got a great soundtrack with lots of great songs from Europe and many more.

Overall, Hot Rod is an underrated gem of a movie. The movie's got a really good story, great acting, funny dialogue, brilliant humour, hit and miss pacing and a good amount of heart. The movie's even got a really good love and hate relationship between the son and the stepfather, a decent love interest and a great soundtrack.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

WayneB.

Aug 1, 2007

Isla Fisher wasted in the stupidest movie I have ever seen. Sad to see the fat guy from All the Real Girls sink so low just to make a few bucks.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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72	#72 Most Discussed Movie of 2007
66	#66 Most Shared Movie of 2007