Stuber

This review may contain spoilers!

Uber driver and cop buddy/action film is a fun concept but in practice it never really found its sticking point. I would give Stuber a 2.5/10.

Stuber follows Detective Vic Manning, a cop who doesn't play by the rules with a big vendetta against a local crime boss. When a tip turns up about the location of the crime boss after Vic has eye surgery he has to rely on his Uber driver to help him solve the case. This film basically thrives when it acknowledges and has fun with just how absurd the concept behind this action/comedy is. The further away the plot goes from playing things straight or by what's expected the more you start enjoying yourself and the more comedic dialogue really starts to emerge.

Dave Bautista, who played Vic Manning, has really come along way with his acting career and it's nice to see him lend what he's learned to a purely comedic film; Bautista really plays well to stoic and straight-edged mannerisms that turn to bursts of extreme emotion at the drop of a hat. Betty Gilpin, who played Becca, is an actress who has really come onto my radar in a big way this year and I find her immensely funny; Gilpin plays this whole rollercoaster of a night after a break-up throughout this film and it's a progression that manages to make you laugh and rings true somewhat. Karen Gillan, who played Sara Morris, isn't in the film for long but certainly leaves her impression; Gillan's kickass cop is a thrill to see onscreen and she makes the opening scene a proper thrill. Steve Howey, who played Felix, has a great stand out scene as the stripper with a strong sense of worldly wisdom and a knack for advice; Howey sells this role by coming across as so good-natured and genuine all while playing in the backdrop of an absurd setting.

However, the best performance came from Kumail Nanjiani, who played Stu. At this point I am convinced that Nanjiani has the sheer talent to bring humour to any type of script; he's already been the saving grace of Men In Black this year and now he does it all again in Stuber. I really feel like this character is so genuinely grounded in the experience of an average day to day job, trying to find success with his crush that it becomes quite a relatable role. Throughout the film Nanjiani really handles an awkward, blunt style of comedic delivery that plays well against Bautista's stoic to over the top displays. I enjoy watching this character navigate action sequences or gritty moments, he immediately steals the show and cuts right to the funniest angle of a moment.

The film really is wacky but that just means it can be fun, it doesn't necessarily mean you're watching a well-constructed plot or film. The major flaw with this film is that one of the two main characters is constantly trying to exit the narrative right up to the final act. Stu is probably the best part of the movie and in almost every scene he bemoans that he doesn't want to be there, and really it does get hard to see why he sticks around after awhile. The flaw here isn't that Stu is a reluctant hero, it's more that we as an audience can see how ordinary he is and the film really squirms to find excuses for why he stays caught in this crime narrative. The film also seems to place Vic as the leading protagonist, a questionable choice because of the pair he is probably the hardest one for the audience to relate to. The film is extremely empty and doesn't really work to give any detail, the main antagonist is never explored and relationships with most side characters is only mildly handled. The cinematography for the film is actually extremely boring to watch for an action comedy, every scene feels constructed and what is being presented never reaches a point where you feel thrilled. The editing for the film sets a slow pace, which is a lethal choice for a film with as short a runtime as a comedy like this. The score is practically non-existent and the soundtrack if probably as confused as the story, a couple of cool moments but overall directionless.

Mira Sorvino, who played Angie McHenry, is in this film to craft a surprise antagonist when there wasn't really any demand for one; Sorvino just seems unattached to her role and uninterested by her character's motivations. Natalie Morales, who played Nicole, tries a lot to find a point of connection with Bautista but the pair just don't work as father and daughter; Morales plays comfortably in the areas of conflict but when scenes move from there she seems lost by her role in the film. Iko Uwais, who played Oka Tedjo, is the main antagonist for the whole film and has zero personality to him; outside of a physical presence in chase and fight scenes this is a role who is only really here in name only. Jimmy Tatro, who played Richie Sandusky, is this awkward side character pinned to Nanjiani's subplot; Tatro goes through some weird moments of characterisation in this film and completely flops as a source of comedy. Rene Moran, who played Amo Cortez, is a minor antagonist in the film that gets tossed around like a plot piece; Moran doesn't even attempt to create a low tier gangster role that is any different from other gang bosses we've seen onscreen before. Amber Chardae Robinson, who played Amber, gives the complete opposite performance to that Howey is achieving in his scenes; Robinson just plays her character too straight-edged and serious following some of the antics we're getting from Howey. Scott Lawrence, who played Dr Branch, feels like he is an important contact to Bautista in the film yet there friendship/alliance is never given any context or explored; Lawrence is quite a stoic figure who seems misplaced in this type of comedy.