The Wedding Ringer (2015) Reviews

• Kevin Hart's best performance and sporadic laugh-out-loud moments, but it ultimately clutches onto the same tropes and beats as other movies of its ilk.

  lnvicta2015-12-26

  I really wanted to like this movie, mainly because I think Kevin Hart has had a rough few years. Not financially of course; the guy has been starring in more than a few comedies the past couple years, but critically, none of them (Ride Along, Get Hard, About Last Night) can be called a genuinely great movie. The Wedding Ringer is the best of the bunch, though. This is Kevin Hart in his element - his most dynamic performance and playing a Hitch-style role where he gets hired to be people's best mans for guys who don't have any friends. Josh Gad plays the loser character, and he and Hart have great chemistry and some very funny back and forth moments. I was actually surprised at how much I was enjoying this movie for the first half, but then the problems became too glaring to ignore. The premise feels fresh and fun in the beginning. It felt like a cross between Wedding Crashers and I Love You, Man without directly copying either of them. The problem is, those movies had more character depth beyond their two leads. Here, every character besides Hart and Gad are cardboard cutouts. The biggest offender is Paige, played by Kaley Cuoco. She is the most shallow caricature of a woman I've seen in comedy in a long long time. It's a shame because Kaley does what she can, but her character is so one-dimensional you can't even connect with her on any level. The random groomsman have their moments, but they're still only caricatures. There's the buff guy, the fresh out of prison rapist, the guy who likes pulling out his penis, the socially awkward guy, etc. They may have defining traits, but not one of them feels like a fleshed out character. Structure is another problem in this movie because after an excellent setup, it starts going down the list of the same tropes and beats as every other zany wedding comedy. Competitive family football scene? Check. Guy finding out girl is actually a bitch? Check. Guy and employer who have a strictly business relationship actually become friends in the end? Check. It's a shame because when Kevin Hart is given a chance to shine, he shines. But those moments become less and less often as the movie tries to tie itself neatly with a bow in the third act. The Wedding Ringer is good for a few laughs, but in the end it's just another Kevin Hart comedy that had potential but didn't explore it. The man has proved himself to be a comedic force to be reckoned with. Now it's just a waiting game until he finds a script that fully plays to his strengths. Until then, The Wedding Ringer seems to be the one to beat, and as far as raunchy comedies go, you could do a lot worse.

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• Another Feel-Good Comedy

  ipseclewis2015-02-06

  There's honestly not much more to say on this movie. It did exactly what it seems it set out to do- make people laugh and have them walk away with the warm fuzzies. The characters have great chemistry on screen, especially Kevin Hart and Josh Gad. The plot is pretty easy to predict, but there are still a few surprises on how some points are executed. There are some great laugh-out-loud moments, even with a couple of cringe-worthy ones (was the view of what the dog chomped on really needed?). All in all, I had a good time watching it. I kind of wish I had waited to see it in the $2 theater, but I'd watch it again if given the chance.

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• You will laugh so much

  LenaS152015-04-20

  I haven't laughed this much watching a movie in a very long time. It was truly a entertaining movie filled with laughter and comedy. A very positive and fun movie that will leave you with a big smile on your lips.I totally recommend this movie to anyone. Kevin Hart was great in his role, so was Josh Gad as well. I didn't expect this movie to be THIS good and funny. Loved every scene in this movie and each character in this movie was super hilarious. The only thing i can think of that wasn't that great was actually Kaley Cuoco-Sweetings acting, she was a bit annoying in this movie. But it doesn't matter everything else is perfect. You will not get disappointed in watching this movie, it will leave you with a big big smile on your lips.

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• Kevin Hart's best movie I have seen. I laughed a lot throughout. Hart and Gad are great together. Best comedy in a while.

  cosmo_tiger2015-04-28

  "God created the world in seven days. We gotta do a whole lot more in a lot less time." Doug Harris (Gad) is getting married but has a problem. Doug doesn't have any friends and needs groomsmen. When he is told about Jimmy (Hart) he thinks he found his solution. The more the two get to know each other the more they find out about themselves. I was a little leery about this movie. The previews made it seem funny enough and I really like Josh Gad, but Kevin Hart can sometimes get a little too annoying for me. This is an exception. Hart played it almost perfect and I never once felt like he was too over the top or annoying like in Ride Along. I laughed much more than I was expecting to at this and there is enough types of humor for everyone to find something they will like. There is also enough heart and story in this to keep you interested in what is happening and not just waiting for the next joke. Me and my wife both liked this more than we expected too and this is one of the better comedies to come out in a while. Overall, nothing all that original and pretty predictable but it was very funny and when you rent a comedy that is what you are looking for. To me this is Kevin Hart's best movie I have seen. I give this a B+.

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• Hilarious comedy with gut-busting laughs

  Screen_Blitz2015-04-29

  Josh Gad and Kevin Hart bring the laughs out in this hysterical buddy comedy. Josh Gad plays Doug Harris, who is two weeks away from getting married to his beloved fiancée, Gretchen Palmer. However, Doug doesn't have any close friends to attend his wedding. He hires Jimmy Callahan, played by Kevin Hart, to provide best men to attend his wedding. As the days approach, an unexpected friendship develops between Doug and Jimmy, and wild nights of hysteria ensues. This is one of the funniest R-rated comedies I've seen since 22 Jump Street, which was last summer. Its funny, hysterical, and sure had me laughing frequently. Kevin Hart has been one of the funniest actors in Hollywood. I was quite surprised to see Josh Gad doing a comedy. I have only known him doing the voice of Olaf in Disney's Frozen, and playing Steve Wozniak in the biopic drama Jobs, which was a critical failure. I also surprised by the comedic chemistry him and Kevin Hart brought in this movie. The dance during the wedding reception scene with these two was easily one of the most laugh-inducing scenes in the film. The scene taking place a the bachelor with the dog was a bit crude, but I couldn't help laugh. Kevin Hart also delivers some of the funniest dialogue in many scenes. Sure, there are some scenes that were a bit predictable, but they still manage to be entertaining. Overall, this movie didn't disappoint me very much. It was very funny and entertaining. If you are a Kevin Hart fan, this movie is a good choice. Be cautious, there are a few nude scenes but don't let them turn you away.

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