REVIEW: THE MAN FROM TORONTO

3.5/5

Toronto Laughter.

112 Mins. Starring: Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson, Jasmine Mathews & Kaley Cuoco. Director: Patrick Hughes. 

Forget 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Despite the fact that Guy Ritchie's 2015 adaptation of the MGM TV series starring Henry Cavill and...erm, best cast someone else, deserves a sequel already. Just who is 'The Man From Toronto'? No, not Drake (honestly...never mind). Or any of the current 'Spicy P' Pascal Siakam led Raptors, or Kawhi Leonard, Chris Bosh and Vince Carter legends in The 6. Although Coach Nick Nurse playing 'Purple Rain' on guitar with The Revolution has us gently weeping like the time Prince came out of nowhere for George Harrison, throwing his guitar up into the heavens to him. It's not even Jason Statham. 'The Transporter' and 'Fast and Furious' wheelman who showed his classic comedy chops alongside Melissa McCarthy in 'Spy'. Originally called in for this movie after a big players classic aeroplane cameo in his 'Hobbs and Shaw' fast spin-off (talk about farts here). Is it 'The Hitman's Bodyguard' from director Patrick Hughes, following the wifey sequel in matrimony with 'The Expendables 3' director? Or is it someone who used to masquerade in Massachusetts, tending bar in Boston as a beer mat cover? How about the 'Irresponsible' Kevin Hart? In a new Netflix movie continuing his deal after a big-three, coming out of controversy after 2020. His 'Zero F###'s Given' home-tour during COVID, the fond feeling of his 'Fatherhood' drama and last years 'True Story' mini-series with another 'White Men Can't Jump' star (at least they can try to reach the rim) before it's 30th anniversary, Wesley Snipes. 

Ride along with the Kevin we all still need to talk about (in a good way), and you'll see that under the stetson like 'No Country For Old Men', the man from the 6 is Woody Harrelson. Due South and a little more mountie fitting than Statham, who would more fit the mold of 'The Man From Brixton'. But with all sorts of agents from all sorts of spots on the globe (konnichiwa, man from Tokyo) , how about a sequel, London? The 'Venom' sequel star let's there be carnage. Charged up, riding in on a Mustang with a dome shaved straight closer to the bone than when he constantly gave himself a Ceasar in front of that monkey for the 'War For The Planet Of The Apes'. Here the 'Now You See Me' star is on 'Zombieland' fine Twinky angry from next to the snack-sized Hart place. A moment were he puts the screws on, threatening Kevin and knocking the wind out of him really passes the comedy bar. Even if he was just screwing with him. Hart's been going hard with the serious substance recently, but here he knows how to play it straight funny next to an ass kicking, bald hard-man. Just like he did between The Rock and their perfect partnership 'Jumanji' movies with 'Central Intelligence', which still needs its own sequel like the Ice Cube 'Ride Along' got. Now this Netflix mistaken identity movie putting you on 'Red Notice' could be its very own 'Man From' franchise starter like Dwayne Johnson's streaming service 'Red Notice' with Ryan Reynolds and 'Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot. 

'The Big Bang' of Hart's 'Wedding Ringer' co-star Kaley Cuoco is here in theory. But in reality we feel her star and comedy power was a little underused. No matter how undeniable it always is whenever she's on screen and no matter how much. She heads a nice cast that features some late in the game reveals that therefore we won't spoil. No third-wheel, but it's clear this case of 'Trading Places' is a double-act as Hart goes full Eddie Murphy in Hollywood. Playing an Internet influencer in this age to hilarious opening scene first-person effect. Spanked with the spanx. The set-up is simple, but it's a brilliant bit. Kevin's athletic instructor wants to get views like Drizzy. But his non-contact boxing isn't a hit, even though it tickles our funny bone. Shaking it off he plans a romantic surprise for his wife Lori's (a breakout Jasmine Mathews) birthday in a cabin in the woods. But because of low-toner, he heads to the wrong cabin and things get scarier than that Chris Hemsworth horror movie. Especially as Hart starts waving a knife around that he dropped hilariously. Just wait until he rubs two together like sticks, as he's fire pretending to be a crook and serving them up hotter than an angry Chef Ramsey. You'll be sick with laughs trying to figure out who's "Green". That's when big bads begin to think this is 'The Man From Toronto' and this is when said movie gets really interesting...and funny. From a comedy cargo plane crash, to an outstanding one-shot set-piece...that's also hilarious. Action comedies are the mood right now. With the Shinkansen time Brad Pitt's about to have from Tokyo to Kyoto with a carriage of first class, A-list passengers in 'Bullet Train'. But before all that, be sure to make a stop in Toronto. You'll love it this time of year. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Central Intelligence', 'Red Notice', 'The Hitman's Bodyguard'.