Central Intelligence
2016 · Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Original language: English
- action
- comedy
The story
Calvin Joyner, a mild-mannered accountant whose high school glory days are long behind him, reconnects with an awkward pal from high school through Facebook. After meeting up, Calvin’s mundane life takes an unexpectedly thrilling turn when he's thrust into the world of international espionage.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated studio lighting and clean suburban exteriors give this one a glossy, commercial-comedy finish, with brisk cutting, wide establishing shots of Washington and Maryland office parks, and plenty of handheld energy during the chase and fight sequences. The palette runs to sunny blues, corporate greys and bursts of colour when the action spills into hotel corridors and urban streets. The score is upbeat and percussive, leaning on pop-tinged cues that keep the tempo lively. Its vibe is playful and buddy-driven, a light, fast-moving caper that suits a Friday night with friends or an easy comfort watch. The pacing is quick and talky, with jokes landing on nearly every beat, and the emotional arc follows a timid accountant regaining his confidence alongside an old schoolmate who is not quite who he seemed. Intensity is moderate: there are gunfights, explosions, fistfights and some bloodless peril, but no gore, and the sexual content is minimal and crude-joke level. It is for viewers who want an action-comedy with warmth, bickering chemistry and an undemanding, feel-good ending.
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