'Stuber' Review

Synopsis: A detective recruits his Uber driver into an unexpected night of adventure.

Runtime: 93 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for violence and language throughout, some sexual references and brief graphic nudity)

Who should see it? Adult fans of buddy cop action-comedies.

Directed by Michael Dowse and written by Tripper Clancy, Stuber is one of this summer's few original offerings. In a movie-going season dominated by franchise fare, Stuber and Crawl graced cinemas nationwide last weekend as two unique alternatives Hollywood's offered as of late. Though certainly inspired by previous buddy-cop outings, pairing a hyper-masculine detective and a timid Uber driver is undeniably distinctive. With that being said, you'll quickly figure out this ride share's destination point as Dowse and Clancy detour onto narrative roads frequently traveled. 

Instead, I was surprised by the action's intensity. Though glimpsed through shaky-cam and frenetic quick-cuts, grisly shoot-outs quickly earn the film its R-rating. Stuber is just as much of an action movie as it is a comedy. While the action often lacked clarity, the humor was also hit-or-miss as Stuber coasts on the charm of its lead stars.

Dowse gets a lot of mileage from the unique partnership of Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista. The two possess a captivating rapport as they bounce jokes off one another with ease. Nanjiani's especially hysterical as he finds himself thrust into preposterous scenarios while Bautista's positioned as the self-serious, macho investigator. Spread through the supporting cast, Iko Uwais, Mira Sorvino, Betty Gilpin, Natalie Morales, and Karen Gillan are sufficient when onscreen. Unfortunately, they each barely register when all is said-and-done due to lacking screen time.

Looking in the rear-view mirror, Stuber is a moderately entertaining ride, but not one I'd bother leaving the house to experience. Wait to watch it when it inevitably crashes onto cable or a streaming service, and just Uber elsewhere.

Film Assessment: B-