Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride, Nick Swardson
Directed by: Ruben Fleisher
Written by: Michael Diliberti
Genre: Action, Comedy

The hopes and aspirations of two would-be criminals (McBride and Swardson) diverge with the dead-end life of pizza delivery boy Nick (Eisenberg) when they drug him and strap a bomb to his chest. The plan: Nick robs a bank for $100,000 so that the duo can hire an assassin to knock off their ex-marine millionaire father and inherit his cash. Nick enlists the help of his best friend (Ansari) to help him rob the bank before the timer on the bomb reaches zero.

Ruben Fleischer follows up his unexpected 2009 hit Zombieland by reuniting with star Jesse Eisenberg to create a fun and entertaining if forgettable movie. Essentially an action comedy, 30 Minutes or Less plays it for laughs first and foremost and quite often hits the mark with its very talented comedic cast the likes of Danny McBride, Nick Swardson, and Aziz Ansari. The foursome tackle the comedy from very different angles: McBride and Swardson providing the unapologetic R-rated vulgarity, and Eisenberg and Ansari finding the humor through situation.

At a brisk eighty-three minutes, the greatest strength of 30 Minutes or Less is that it wastes no time. It’s a high concept film that showcases its actors in over-the-top scenarios designed to be nothing more than a fun ride. Fleischer seems to be attracted to scripts that have a strong premise, scant story, and strong comedic characters, and while he doesn’t stumble across anything quite as hilarious or insightful as Zombieland, he successfully maintains vigorous momentum, (both in the film and career).

USA. 83 minutes. Rated R.

Click here to read Blu-ray review.

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