Need a Ride? Let’s Go With Stuber! (Movie Review)
Stuber was… a great time at the cinema! I didn’t think I was going to have as much fun as I did with this one, but I did. Out of the few comedies I’ve reviewed this summer, The Dead Don’t Die (2019) and The Fall of the American Empire (2018), Stuber (2019) has been my favorite for sure! I laughed my cheeks off, both sets, throughout the whole film. At certain points in the film I was literally wiping tears of joy from my face. As you have probably gathered… the comedy is great. The action in the film, even for a comedy, is pretty solid. From beginning to end Stuber never takes its foot off the gas! Alright guys let’s open up the app and select our ride!
Stuber is an action/comedy directed by Michael Dowse, known for films like It’s All Gone Peter Tong (2004), What If (2013) and Goon (2011), and written by, a relatively new writer, Tripper Clancy, Four Against the Bank (2016). The film stars Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Mira Sorvino, Natalie Morales, Iko Uwais, Betty Gilpin, Karen Gillan, Jimmy Tatro, Steve Howey, Rene Moran, Amin Joseph, Amber Chardae Robinson and many more. The film is produced by actor, recently turned producer, John Francis Daley, from shows like Freaks and Geeks (1999) and Bones (2005), and Johnathan Goldstein who was credited as a writer on Horrible Bosses (2011), and credited as a director on the film Game Night (2018). Daley and Goldstein were also credited as writers on the Marvel and Sony film Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). I have to say that this team pulled off quite an exciting and downright funny film. Looks like our ride is here. Let’s hit it!
I remember seeing the trailer for Stuber for the first time. I genuinely chuckled at some of the material displayed in the trailer. Overall, I had a good feeling about the film. While watching the opening to Stuber I was pleasantly surprised to see some pretty intense action sequences. I did not expect the film to “go there” with the action that it gave us. Perfect. As for depicting your typical ride share driver dealing with people, the film succeeds. Being a driver for a ride share company myself I definitely appreciated some of the tropes and situations Stu (Nanjiani) had to deal with in the beginning of the film. Trust me guys people are interesting… very interesting. However, compared to any of my “crazy”, or “worst”, or “weird” passenger experiences I think Stu’s ride with Vic (Bautista) absolutely takes the cake. Okay lets head to the next stop.
The film opens with partners Vic (Bautista) and Morris (Gillan) tracking down and confronting crime boss Tedjo (Uwais). After a hotel room firefight/one-on-one fisticuffs with Tedjo and his goons Vic ends up visually impaired while his partner, Morris, ends up deceased. Even after the loss of his partner Vic is determined to get Tedjo by any means necessary. However, with Vic’s daughter, Nicole (Morales), in town, for her art exhibit opening, it would seem that the dogged policemen would take time out to see his daughter’s show. This is quite the contrary. Vic attempts to drive himself to take on Tedjo, but fails miserably. Abandoning the idea to drive himself Vic orders an Uber in the form of Stu. Stu is a mild mannered guy who just wants to make a few bucks… I mean who doesn’t. Stu accepts Vic’s ride request and is subjected to Vic’s outrageous demands and outlandish antics all because… well… Stu has to keep his driver rating up guys. There are a number of great character moments and performances from the whole cast along with some fantastical action sequences that will make you cringe and pee your pants all at the same time. Looks like we made it guys. I hope you enjoyed the ride!
Stuber?! Yes. I had a great time with this film guys. One of my favorites thus far simply because… everything just worked for me. The buddy cop/total opposites cliche works with both Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista displaying amazing chemistry despite their characters being in, and surviving, some insane happenstances. I would highly recommend checking this one out in the theaters. It is truly a film to experience with a theater full of people to laugh with you!
