Hot Rod

UK Release: 28th September 2008

Watched on Recorded TV: Sunday 5th August 2012

Rating: 12A

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 1hr 28mins

Tagline: Smack destiny in the face

IMDb Plot Synopsis: Rod Kimble is a naïf, a slacker living in a small US town with his mom, his younger brother, and his stepfather whose respect he craves. He also misses his dead dad, whom he thinks was Evel Knievel's back-up. Rod, a man-child, believes that he is a stunt man. When his stepfather needs an operation, with help from his brother and his slacker pals, Rod hatches a plan to set a school-bus-jumping record on his moped. First, his crew and he have to raise money to rent the buses and build the ramp. Trouble is, Rod's inept at his chosen career. Looming failure is complicated by the return of Denise, Rod's next-door neighbor and secret heartthrob, who is home from college. Is public humiliation at hand?

A Quick Review: I reviewed this film at the end of last year and absolutely loved it. I mean I gave it 8.5! That’s a high score for me. And so I was slightly disappointed after watching it a second time as it didn’t hold up to a second viewing. It was still funny, but it just lost it’s charm the second time. Perhaps you have to be in a certain kind of mood. But ultimately the first watch was way better than the second. Or maybe my tastes have changed a lot since then. If you like random quirky humour and are up for going with the flow however, this is still a good film to watch.

Score: 5/10