Central Intelligence

Rawson Marshall Thurber (2016)

103min

12A Certificate

Review

Our Score

by James Luxford

Kevin Hart stars here as an accountant who's lured into an international spy mission by Dwayne Johnson, his former classmate and then a social outcast, who's now working for the CIA. The film will be wholly familiar to fans of Hart's work, as he once again plays the fast-talking comedy whirlwind who's in over his head. Director Rawson Thurber (Dodgeball: a True Underdog Story) profits from the manic energy he always brings to a film, but what makes this one different is that he's not alone in delivering the laughs. Johnson is the secret weapon and is able to outshine his co-star to create some of the funnier moments. Central Intelligence is enjoyable thanks to its winning comedy partnership and heartfelt anti-bullying message.

Summary

Action comedy, starring Dwayne Johnson as a one-time geek who suffered constant humiliation at high school but grew up to be a lethal CIA agent. But when he is targeted by his own organisation, he comes home for a high school reunion, where he enlists the help of the former campus tough guy - now a meek accountant - who very quickly wonders what he has got himself into. Co-starring Kevin Hart and Amy Ryan.