Last weekend my husband and I decided to take a brief vacation and make our first summer of 2010 trip to the beach. To mix things up a bit, we rode the 4 hours or so down to Virginia Beach and spent two nights at a beachfront Quality Inn. After a long day of pool, sand, and ocean, and joined by some friends of ours, we took a break from the heat Saturday night and treated ourselves to the air-conditioned facilities of the movieplex. On tap for the evening, an uproarious comedy based on characters penned by How I Met Your Mother/Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s, Jason Segal; Get Him to the Greek.
For those of you who are Jason Segal fans, or for that matter, Jonah Hill fans (Seth of Superbad fame, co-starring in Get Him to the Greek), Get Him to the Greek does not disappoint.
Get Him to the Greek stars the comedic brilliance of Russell Brand (who in this reviewer’s opinion, certainly seems to be giving his predecessor and comedic rival, Sacha Baron Cohen a run for his money these days) as the over-indulgent, but not entirely un-sympathetic, bona fide British rock star Aldus Snow. Fans of Forgetting Sarah Marshall will fondly remember Russell Brand’s characterization of an overindulgent, crass, and for all intents and purposes, drugged out rock star (not to mention front man of legendary rock group, Infant Sorrow), Aldus Snow.
Unlike his part in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Brand plays a central role in this pseudo-spin off and gives the viewer what they really want to see; MORE Aldus! Just watching this guy fumble around on screen adorned with seriously tight jeans, a tall, yet not entirely gangly frame, not without the customary rock star bling in all shapes and sizes, and strikingly beautiful curled locks, as he dominates the stage and all those who cross his path, we find ourselves desiring a show at the biggest local arena starring Aldus along with other legendary rock greats like Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, and Robert Plant. Of course, as we feel our shoes slightly sticking to the ground and hear the faint tick-tick-tick sounds of the person next to us texting, we are sadly reminded that Aldus is a fictional character, limited to gracing our presence on screen only.
Jonah Hill expertly plays his role as the socially awkward, yet love able Aaron Green, a young man struggling to make it in the intensely competitive music business. Fortunately for the viewer, this is a familiar role for Hill (likewise roles in similar comedies like Superbad, Funny People, Knocked Up, and Accepted).
Struggling to renew his sense of adventure and challenged by his demanding boss (P Diddy), Green develops a genius idea to bring Aldus Snow back to the Greek Theater for an anniversary concert. Once given the go-ahead, Green sets off across the globe for a hilarious 3-day venture with 3 goals:
1. Find Aldus Snow;
2. Get him sober enough to play and make a litany of press appearances, not the least of which includes a visit to the Today Show;
3. And finally, GET HIM TO THE GREEK!
Of course, Aldus the self-proclaimed rock star, is not without his alcohol and drug addictions. From the moment Aaron Green shows up in his London flat, he is dead set on showing Green the time of his life (and indeed, succeeds).
Complimenting the comedic performances of Brand and Hill, we are also treated to some interesting cameos. To name a few, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Meredith Vieira, Lars Ulrich, P!NK, Mario Lopez, Kristen Bell, Rick Schroder, and Christina Aguilera. Of note, Kristen Bell, with the addition of Rick Schroder, reprises her role as the television star vixen, Sarah Marshall (albeit for a brief moment). Perhaps a sequel starring Sarah Marshall is at bat next?
This reviewer is looking forward to additional films created, written, and starring, the new buddy-comedy/Bromance all stars troop, set to take over from the former “Comedy All - Stars” (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Vince Vaughn).
Get Him to the Greek comes recommended for fans of the rising buddy-comedy star troop/makers of Knocked Up, Suberbad, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but is not recommended for those easily offended.
The Bee Charmer Review Rating: B+
