REVIEW: The Heat

7/10 - Funnier than expected. NO shopping or dating! Rejoice!

This was a funny movie.

I can’t remember the last time I thought a movie was simply funny. 2013 hasn't been great for comedies, so this is refreshing. The jokes keep rolling, and they are original. There was nothing that felt tired or already done.

I'm really starting to like Paul Feig (who has an impressive television career, directing big shows) for bringing to life these funny movies starring women. Chick flicks that aren't about shopping or dating. Thank god.

The Heat is a classic buddy cop idea. Sandy plays a by-the-books FBI agent, and Melissa is the tough, rebellious chick with an attitude.

The real essential element in a buddy cop movie is something magical and unexplained called “chemistry”. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids) have chemistry. Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski (The Office) have chemistry. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy do not have chemistry. Thankfully, that doesn't matter that much because these two actors have such phenomenal comic timing.

By now, everyone knows the comedy that Sandy and Melissa bring. They don't stray far from this, but the combo is hilarious. It's a real unexpected delight to see Mullins' (McCarthy) Boston family, watching Ashburn's (Bullock) being super weird with her neighbors cat, watching the anticipated awkward "one ups man-ship" scenes. On top of that, seeing the hilarious cameo's from some other comedians makes this movie sail.

I think there are two big faults in the movie. The first is having two actors/comedians who never crack a single joke. Marlon Wayans has a great character and the audience likes him. He is a charismatic guy in whatever he does. That being said, he doesn't do much. He just exists in this movie without much attachment. The same can be said for Taran Killam. I was excited to see him on the big screen, but he played a totally straight character. Such a waste. Throw on a funny SNL accent and I would have been rolling in my seat. Yeah, it’s cheap laughs but better to get some laughs then none.

The second problem is that comedies have started to really come alive in the last few years, either being dramatic and funny, or extremely over the top exaggerated. The Heat is trying to go down a 21 Jump Street route with a predictable premise, but jokes that surprise and entertain. The problem is, 21 Jump Street did it better. Bridesmaids did it better. What can be said for a movie that's good, but not as good as the last one? I think these higher expectations is why there haven't been as many comedies, lately. The Heat doesn't do the predictable, and I'm glad we have something to laugh at this year, even if it's not an instant classic.

Is the story predictable? Yeah. Do we care? No. This movie is like a party trick, where you think it’s one thing but it turns into something else. Then you laugh so hard you spill your drink.

IMDB - The Heat
Wikipedia - The Heat
Rotten Tomatoes - The Heat (Pre-release, no rating)
Amazon.ca - The Heat