Which kid hasn't dreamt of being a home-grown stuntman like Evil Knievel? What more do you need than a BMX, a dodgy ramp, your mum's old towel for a cape and a few friends dumber than yourself for a cheer squad?
That's the premise of Hot Rod. But there's no shaking the feeling that all this nerd comedy really wants to do is cash in on Napoleon Dynamite and the loser-comedies Superbad and Knocked Up.
Newcomer Andy Samberg plays would-be hero Rod Kimble, who spends his life coming up with hopeless stunts that he then fails to pull off on his pedal-assisted Vespa.
He wants to prove his manhood – and dreams of the day he can beat his tough-guy stepfather Frank in a fight. But when Rod finds out Frank needs a heart transplant, he sets out to pull of a huge bus jump that'll raise $50,000 for the operation. Rod needs Frank alive – so he can kick his ass.
Just like its hero, Hot Rod crashes and burns more often than it triumphs.
Samberg comes across as self-satisfied rather than endearingly gormless. The role was originally intended for Will Ferrell – and it shows in a derivative performance.
Samberg's co-stars, too, are pale imitations of Frat Pack regulars Jonah Hill or John C. Reilly.
Aussie Isla Fisher is wasted in a standard love interest role and same goes for Will Arnett, who's asked to do little more than his smarmy schtick we've seen in Arrested Development and Blades Of Glory.
There are a few giggles to be had – it's especially funny that someone's finally recognised the riot-causing potential of John Farnham's You're The Voice – but you'll be two steps ahead of most of the punch lines.
As a comedy you can easily bunny hop, Hot Rod manages two stars.
