Central Intelligence (2016), PG-13, ★★★

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Kevin Hart.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Kevin Hart are two box-office regimen that can entertain audiences pleasantly no matter how ridiculously a concept from Hollywood is. But, the main reason is that they are both charismatic and delightful actors that boast their talent at their prime standard. San Andreas was a guilty pleasure in my opinion because of the riddling disaster cliches but also The Rock was good in it. Kevin Hart has been in many bad movies but everything except, Think Like a Man Too, I think, he has been really good. I don't think that he is cringe-worthy. Even though the action becomes too simplistic and by-the-numbers, the main chemistry between Johnson and Hart is the ticket to go see this buddy comedy.

Back in 1996, Robbie Whierdicht (Dwayne Johnson) has been bullied for all of high school because of his looks and his weight. Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart) has been voted "the person who can mostly succeed" and "the most popular person in high school". Robbie, back in the day, dances in the shower in the locker room and is thrown into the gym where the school is being assembled honoring Calvin. Everybody is laughing and pointing at the naked Robbie and Calvin helps him by giving him his jacket to cover himself up.

20 years later, Calvin is an account that is unfairly stuck in his own position as his former assistant is promoted over him. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Maggie (Danielle Nicolet), although their marriage is floundering. Calvin hesitantly accepts a Facebook invitation to go to a reunion. He reunites with a muscular Bob that beat bullies up. Bob does reveal that he is in the CIA and he mentions saying that he needs Calvin's help because of his line of work.

Bob finds satellite codes and a bidding war on Calvin's computer. In the morning, a group of CIA agents accompanied and led by Pamela Harris (Amy Ryan) barge in Calvin's house and try to locate Bob in which he is missing. The agents follow Calvin just in case and Bob calls him saying that he is somewhere in the building. He and Calvin are in the midst of the shootout after which they both escape in an Uber.

Rock-a-bye, Kevin, on the tree top. 

I was delighted by this movie because it did not go over-the-top with its humor and also intelligence regarding their expertise, intelligence and vulnerability. Johnson plays a tough guy that has a sole purpose as to why he is built and working for the CIA: "He does not like bullies." He has a lsweet inner soul that interferes with his memories from the past especially in a scene in which he goes back to the locker room. Plus, the chemistry between Hart and Johnson encompasses every joke and compassionate moment that will get you to care about their characters.

Again, Dwayne Johnson's and Kevin Hart's performances are real good and are still good individually. Kevin Hart's character feels emotional as he thinks that his prime was back in high school and he thinks his life and marriage is downhill. Even though he still has his humorous antics, Hart plays the straight role. Amy Ryan unfortunately does not have as much to do in this movie. Aaron Paul actually was very good as Johnson's partner and Jason Bateman is good too as a character I cannot reveal. There is one cameo appearance that will delight many people in the end.

Unfortunately, I don't sing as much praise with this movie because the action elements and its plot undermines the comedy. The plot is standard and formulaic and is not quite interesting because it becomes too self-serious and the tone shifts into a spy thriller. The ending does become predictable as there is some sort of redemption and justice with a character that it does not become as funny but sweet. The movie provides more success in its comedic elements than the action elements accompanied by great chemistry between Hart and Johnson. It is a nice surprise to go to at the movies just to see the two main cast members entertain you.

***