Get Him to the Greek Review

Before you read this review, get past the fact that Jonah Hill's character in this film is not the same character as his role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It took literally two minutes for me to overlook that, and then I was able to fully enjoy this film. Get Him to the Greek focuses on Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) after the release of his critical failure that nearly destroyed him, African Child (look it up on YouTube. It's fantastic!). Since then, Aaron Green (Jonah Hill), some guy who works in the music bussiness and a huge fan of Snow, is tasked to guide Aldous to his anniversary show at the Greek.

Their trip takes a few unintended turns when Aldous does whatever you'd expect an unpredictable rock star to do. He takes a trip to see his father, tries to get Green to move on from a relationship he's still commited to, and then counsels Green and his girlfriend to reconcile, but not in an expected way. This film may not hold a candle to Sarah Marshall, but it does a good job of continuing Aldous' story while not making it the focal point of the movie.

Despite the raunchy, comedic nature of the film, it does have a beating heart beneath it all. Aaron is a good guy, and him being thrown at such a vulnerable time into the situation of Aldous Snow has its side affects. In the end there is a little bit of moral background on how people search for meaning in their own lives. This is what saves the film from being just a regular rude comedy.

Director Nicholas Stoller also manages to throw together one of the most entertaining action sequences so far this year, mixing drugs, P. Diddy, and furry walls to extremely good affect. This film also pulled off the nearly impossible. It made rape funny. If that doesn't make you want to see this film, I can't possibly cater to your needs because they are simply illogical. Russell Brand and Jonah Hill deserve their due credit for pulling these extreme characters off without making them hatable, which they easily could have been.

The film does have some weird ten minute ventures off of the course of the plot. Then again, what Judd Apatow film doesn't have one of those scenes? Get Him to the Greek offers plenty of great laughs, and stay with you more than most comedies out this year. It may not have quite the same smoothness of The Hangover last year, but it'll do.

B+