Well, this is something new - what is usually a fast car/chase/action movie with some quick-witted one-liners has now become a charming quick-witted comedy with fast cars and chase scenes.
Here's the breakdown: Charlie (Dax Shepard) is living in a small Californian town under witness protection. When his girlfriend Annie (Kristen Bell) gets a job in LA, he risks returning in the name of love. Unfortunately, Annie's ex-boyfriend Gil (Michael Rosenbaum) is still suspicious of Charlie and after a little Facebooking, he gets in touch with the people Charlie testified against - and that's when the movie really kicks into gear.
This labour-of-love was written, co-directed and stars Shepard, and while not his first directing effort, it does have a sense of a man who got overexcited with a new toy he could play with any way he wanted. Since Shepard was also the writer, it would make sense to assume that co-directer David Palmer was on board to reel him in; I shudder to think what would have happened without him because even as a sophomore effort this film is still laced with inexperience. The talent is there, it's evident - it just needs maturing which, with luck, will happen.
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Looking past the impressive array of penis-mobiles, this movie is not without its charm. Amongst the car chases, gun fights and kidnappings lies a love story rife with romance and all that comes with a relationship. It's these moments where Shepard's writing skills and on-screen chemistry with real-life fiancé Bell that really sparkle with their Seinfeld-like dialogue exchanges and humour. The pair have a highly engaging screen presence that deserves better than the wafer-thin plot Shepard delivered... as did the members of his address book called in to beef up the star power, including a dreadlocked Bradley Cooper, bumbling Tom Arnold and a lovably crass Kristen Chenoweth.
This movie may be a little thin but it's still fun, funny and romantic with yes, many chase scenes thrown in that show off Shepard's awesome car collection and "mad driving skills". There's a little something for everyone.