The funniest film of 2008. Usually, comedies written by 4 people tend to be messy, but this one has the feel of a single mind (or a really good duo).
Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott are equally wonderful as a pair of energy drink salesmen who, after the worst day of Rudd's life ends in both of their arrests, choose mentoring young folks in a program called Sturdy Wings over 30 days in jail. What is initially a "wait out the clock" situation soon turns to more after they begin to care about oddballs with whom they are paired.
But this is no sappy comedy. The fine writing and performances allow the protagonists' immaturity and wit to keep even an "adult" revelation from becoming mushy. Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, and Zack & Miri Make a Porno have their memorable moments, but each gets sidetracked at the end. Not so with Role Models. The final battle, literally, is so well crafted, equally fun and heartfelt, that it ensures an ending just as good as the ensuing comedy.
Jane Lynch, as the director of Sturdy Wings, is more weird (a la Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder) than outright hilarious, and in both cases it's more fun to watch other characters react to both of them. Elizabeth Banks adds another quality role to her already classy '08 resume, doing just fine playing the straight (wo)man as Rudd's "better than this" girlfriend.
But the real finds are Bobb'e J. Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Scott and Rudd's respective mentees. Thompson was fun in Idlewild, but who knew he could curse with such fervor! He is the perfect partner for Scott, almost a mini-me, and keeps the former Stiffler on his toes. Even more impressive, Mintz-Plasse does the unthinkable by building on his remarkable debut as McLovin'. His Augie is a more advanced nerd than his fake-ID-toting predecessor (this time with 85% more human emotions!) and proves that he's no one-hit wonder.
Definitely see this film. It's the best American comedy since Superbad. In Christopher Mintz-Plasse we trust.