Famous actor and comedian Kevin Hart is frustrated with multiple aspects of film acting. Sick and tired of being cast as the funny man or a small, loveable sidekick to many big Hollywood action stars such as Dwayne Johnston, Kevin expresses his determination to become a major action star on live TV. However, there’s just one problem- Kevin knows nothing about being an action hero in films.
After meeting with the well-respected film director Claude Van De Velde (Jean Reno), Kevin is given an opportunity, unlike anything he could ever expect. Kevin has been offered the opportunity to be trained by the highly talented action master himself, Ron Wilcox (John Travolta). However, as Kevin arrives at Ron’s secret training compound, he soon discovers his training methods are dangerous, odd and questionable. Ron is suspicious, and Kevin begins investigating the truth while still trying to prove he can become the ultimate man of action.
For those who are unaware, Die Hart: The Movie is, in fact, a fictionalised story about Kevin Hart. It’s no secret that the actor is known for his comedy, and I found this concept and story outline rather pleasing and exciting. Die Hart was originally released as a ten-episode mini-series on selected streaming services. Now, thanks to Prime Video, viewers can experience the series as a feature-length film.
Like Kevin Hart’s other work, Die Hart: The Movie is jammed packed with many random gags and witty, fast-paced one-liners. Some of the dialogue and line delivery from Kevin Hart is, in fact, funny, but at other times, the gags overstayed their welcome, becoming dry and awkward. I was quite surprised to see actor John Travolta was slightly more successful at bringing the film’s randomness and comedy level up a notch. It’s highly evident that the actor is turning the dial-up significantly and having a blast working on this feature. The storyline and pacing here are generally fine, but I can’t deny that I found everything on-screen predictable, including the final moments. However, even with a high level of predictability, the comedy is still highly passable thanks to continuous banter and humour between Kevin Hart and John Travolta.
Overall, it’s great to witness Die Hart as a full-length feature film instead of a ten-episode mini-series. As you might expect for a Kevin Hart film, the entire runtime is packed with fun gags and strong moments of randomness. Some gags are great, and some, sadly, overstay their welcome and become awkward. Strong praise should also be given to actor John Travolta who is clearly having a great time with this film with his crazy and wildness which is also great to see. The storyline is extremely predictable in every way. Still, if you’re seeking a brainless, effortless comedy, Die Hart: The Movie delivers a few solid gags and a fun concept to life. Die Hart: The Movie (2023) is Available on Digital from February 24th.
5.7/10
17th February 2023
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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