stuber
DIRECTOR: Michael Dowse (goon, what if)
starring: dave bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, natalie morales, and iko uwais
REVIEWER: lyall carter
★★★★
A detective recruits his Uber driver into an unexpected night of adventure.
Theres nothing quite a buddy action flick - they're packed to the gunnels with action, hilarious, and are just a hands down fun time at the movies. It also helps that they generally come out during the US summer blockbuster season which is our winter. A great escape from the cold and the nights drawing in. And Stuber is everything you need in a buddy action flick so much so you'll be left wanting more of Bautista and Nanjiani.
When a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu picks up a passenger who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer, he’s thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life and his five-star rating.
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One of the great things about Stuber is that it knows what kind of film it is and doesn't try to be anything its not. It doesn't try to have an overly elaborate, complex story, over the top action, or bizarre humour.
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Don't get me wrong: it has a great story with a completely engrossing, well considered plot. The action is pedal to the metal, adrenaline pumping kinda stuff. And boy is it funny too. Make sure you see it in a theatre filled with people. Haven't laughed that hard in a long time or remembered so many one liners afterwards (constantly repeating them throughout the night - my poor wife).
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But what makes Stuber work is Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjani. First off, both a brilliant individually. I've been super impressed by Bautista's work outside of his Marvel work (soulful in Blade Runner 2049 and a great lead in the under appreciated Final Score) with not only how he can carry a movie but just how darn funny he can be. He really is hilarious.
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Kumail Nanjani is comedic gold - this dude has to be in more and more movies. He was brilliantly funny and heartwarmingly touching in The Big Sick and was the best thing about MIB: International. I can't remember a single joke that didn't zing, hit its mark, or fall flat. They were all belters and had the audience roaring with laughter.
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Two actors can be great individually but for a buddy comedy to work there needs to be great chemistry and Bautista and Nanjani have it in spades. Sign them up for some other project or get Stuber 2 into production. Now!
Packed to the gunnels with action and will have you weeping with laughter, Stuber is a fun, action packed night out.