Movie · 2016 · Action, Comedy · 1h 47m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 1.4/10 (589.9K ratings)
Saving the world takes a little Hart and a big Johnson.
Overview
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.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.4/10
IMDb: 6.3/10
Letterboxd: 2.75/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
Metacritic: 52
TMDB: 6.4/10
Director
Rawson Marshall Thurber
Production
New Line Cinema, Bluegrass Films, RatPac Entertainment, Principato-Young Entertainment, Perfect World Pictures
Cast
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan, Danielle Nicolet, Jason Bateman, Aaron Paul, Ryan Hansen, Tim Griffin, Timothy John Smith, Sione Kelepi, Dylan Boyack, Thomas Kretschmann, Megan Park, George Carroll, Annie Kerins, Nate Richman, Robert Woo, Kumail Nanjiani, Phil Reeves, David Stassen
Where to watch
Hulu
Curator Review
Verdict
A lightweight buddy-action comedy that runs mostly on the chemistry of its leads. It’s broad, predictable, and rarely sharp, but the movie is amiable enough to work as an easy watch if you want star-powered, low-stakes escapism.
Best for
fans of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart’s comic pairing
viewers who like breezy action comedies with a sentimental streak
people in the mood for undemanding mainstream entertainment
Skip if
you want clever writing or genuinely inventive action
you dislike loud, broad studio comedy
you’re looking for a comedy with edge or surprise
Overview
Central Intelligence is built around a simple, effective idea: pair an earnest everyman with an absurdly confident action hero and let the contrast do the work. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart make that premise easy to enjoy, and the movie knows how to keep moving even when the jokes are obvious. It’s not especially sharp, but it is consistently watchable.
Worth noting
The film leans into nostalgia, bullying, and the fantasy of reinventing yourself after high school, which gives it a little more heart than the average disposable studio comedy. That said, the plotting is thin and the action is mostly functional, with the movie playing things safe at nearly every turn.
Bottom line
As a result, it lands as a pleasant, forgettable crowd-pleaser rather than a standout. If you want a polished, easygoing comedy with a few solid laughs and a strong central duo, it does the job. If you need wit, bite, or real suspense, it probably won’t stick with you.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Arnon🪐 (1.5★) · 1544 likes
Central Intelligence isn’t about two old friends reuniting to take down a terrorist force; It’s about drive, it’s about power
Allison M. 🌱 (3★) · 705 likes
Stupid, good, clean fun film about the dangers of bullying.
Tony the Terror (3★) · 700 likes
Snake Gyllenhaal.
oliviathebi (3★) · 351 likes
Aaron Paul saying bitch singlehandedly makes this a guilty pleasure
ag.mov (3.5★) · 350 likes
My biggest "guilty pleasure" of the year so far. It's just so damn funny and it's surprisingly heartfelt as well. It's one of those mainstream comedies that may not break any barriers or take a lot of risks, but it sure does hit every emotional beat just right. And with the dynamic duo of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart to carry it all home, Central Intelligence ends up being a highly entertaining summer comedy that audiences will surely love.
Also, the cameos that are sprinkled throughout are just killer. Thank god the marketing hasn't spoiled them (yet).
2012 · Action, Comedy, Crime · 1h 49m · R · Curator 5.8/10 (1.8M ratings) · Where to watch: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, TNT, TBS, tru TV
A sharper, faster buddy-comedy with undercover antics and a strong balance of action and jokes.
2014 · Crime, Comedy, Action · 1h 52m · R · Curator 4.5/10 (1.2M ratings) · Where to watch: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, TNT, TBS, tru TV
Keeps the same energetic, self-aware formula while leaning even harder into comic chemistry.