Buddy films have been abundant for along time. I remember “48 Hours” and the sequel “Another 48 Hours” some time back with Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. If you don’t remember those, google it. There have been more but none such as “Stuber”. It’s different from what’s been brought to the table thus far and stars Kumail Nanjini, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Iko Uwais and Natalie Morales.
The bottom line here is about Vic (Bautista) and his female cop partner tracking down a drug dealer (Uwais). Things go sour and his partner is killed. Fast forward six months later and Vic is recovering from Lasic surgery when he gets a call about a drug deal going down. Off he goes driving like Mr. McGoo but not before his daughter (Morales) informs him she installed an Uber app on his phone to help him navigate post-op. Well, his driving skills suck since he can’t see. He calls up Uber, commandeers the car with the driver name Stu (Nanjini) driving him everywhere and the fun begins..
The drive turns into a bickering session with Stu leading the way and aggressive Vic fit to be tied and cussing like a sailor. This film is not only very funny with Bautista showing off his comedic side, the two’s different personalities actually helps sustain the film. Stu, or as Vic nicknamed him Stuber, is just trying to keep up his five star rating for his driving and Vic isn’t helping. Some of these fight scenes, I will say, and the falls some take here look so real. In real life it would certainly result in serious injury or death. But it’s just a movie folks.
The performances carried this film and add some Styx music and The Hollies to some of the action, we have a buddy flick that seems original as could be…until the next one comes along. Stuber is a good action comedy that with the two misfits leading the way is one I suggest seeing in theaters when it opens everywhere July 12. 4 stars. Sorry Stu, I couldn’t do 5. Thank you Twentieth Century Fox.
