Hot Rod Blu-Ray Review
Posted by Cody Dalton on 01.10.2009
Did this movie about a daredevil dare to compare with the original DVD version?
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
Produced by John Goldwyn, Lorne Michaels, & Will Ferrell
Written by Pam Brady
Andy Samberg: Rod Kimble
Jorma Taccone: Kevin Powell
Bill Hader: Dave
Danny R. McBride: Rico
Isla Fisher: Denise
Sissy Spacek: Marie Powell
Ian McShane: Frank Powell
Will Arnett: Jonathan
Chris Parnell: Barry Pasternak
Chester Tam: Richardson: like what you see
Mark Acheson: Homeless Dude
Alvin Sanders: Furious Boss
Akiva Schaffer: Dave's Boss at the ice rink that gives him acid.
Runtime: 87 minutes
Rated PG-13 for Crude Humor, Language, Some Comic Drug-Related and Violent Content
The Movie:
Hot Rod follows the story of Ron Kimble (Andy Samberg), a teenage boy who is trying to raise money for his step father, Frank (Ian McShane) in order to pay for his surgery and achieve his quest of kicking his ass. In order to raise the money needed to get the surgery, Kimble plans with the help of friends Dave (Bill Hader), Rico (Danny R. McBride), and Kevin (Jorma Powell) to make a jump over 15 buses.
While training, Rod takes a beating in many ways, including drowning and hitting an RV full speed down a hill. Ron also finds out that his new friend and love interest Denise (Isla Fisher) has a boyfriend, Jonathan (Will Arnett). Now Rod finds the jump as a way not only to earn respect for the man who is dying, but also to win the heart of Denise. Heavily motivated, Ron tries to get a jar filled with $5,000 to do his jump for his step father by doing various fundraisers, including birthday parties for kids.
As time goes on, the money begins to roll in and finally, he begins to reach the $5,000 mark when a friend puts together a video package. Everyone from the community is invited, as they air the video package. Ron feels belittled and leaves in a rage, destroying property where the video is shown. The money collected is lost because it is used to pay for repairs. Hope seems bleak. Feeling like a failure, Ron tries to cut ties with his former “crew” and lead a normal life. However, it just doesn’t work and after discovering Ron’s video online, an A.M. radio station pays for Ron’s jump with the proceeds going to his step father’s surgery.
In the process of calling Denise to see if she’ll come to the jump, Jonathan answers her phone and does not take the message. However, Denise later discovers of Jonathan’s betrayal and leaves him, joining Rod at the jump. Ron finally gets the courage to make the jump and Denise shows up, showing him her affection with a kiss. Finally, Ron makes the jump from the ramp, but while smiling to his friends, he loses his bike and falls. It appears as if Ron is dead, but after a brief period, Ron wakes up and the crowd roars. Ron struggles to stand up and finally sees the money board reach $50,000, the amount needed for his step father’s surgery. Finally Ron has realized his dream.
The final scene shows Ron and his step father battle it out. Ron finally gets his father to say that he is the man after a brutal fight.
The Video
The picture comes in clear 1080p, which is much clearer than most DVDs.
The Audio
The sound is played in Dolby Digital 5.1. It’s available in English, French, and Spanish, as well as English, English SDH+, French, and Spanish subtitles.
The Packaging
The DVD comes as pictured above.
The Extras
Commentary by Akiva Shaffer, Andy Samberg, & Jerima Taccone
Ancestors Protect Me: Behind the Scenes of Hot Rod: An exclusive look with the cast and director of the movie into their thoughts on the final product.
Home Video Footage of Orchestra Recording Session: A live look into the music recording sessions done by orchestra, as the movie is shown on a big screen and the cast watches.
Punch-Dance: A look into an exclusive scene in the movie, where Ron dances like Kevin Bacon in Footloose.
Kevin’s Videos: A list of the eight videos shot by Kevin (Jorma Taccone) on video camera and used in the movie.
Deleted and Extended Scenes: 15 scenes in the movie that were either not used or are extensions of other scenes. Comes with the option of commentary by Director Akiva Shaffer, Andy Samberg, & Jerima Taccone.
Outtakes Reel
Theatrical Trailer
The Film: 10/10.0
The Video: 10.0/10.0
The Audio: 9.0/10.0
The Packaging: 5.0/10.0
The Extras: 5.0/10.0
The 411: Hot Rod serves up a lot of laughs in the movie and the high definition picture helps. This movie was certainly enjoyable for me. The one part it lacks though is special features/extras. If it had more of those, I would give this movie a better rating. However, it still doesn’t mean that this movie isn’t hilarious and enjoyable.
