I have never found Kevin Hart’s brand of comedy funny. The man is amazing in small doses. “This is the End” and “40 Year Old Virgin” show off his comedic ability. But his stand-up and starring roles prove to be problematic and stereotypical.

Hart also rarely stars with anyone of talent.

“Get Hard,” (Rated R; 100 mins) directed by Etan Cohen, is saved by Hart and Will Ferrell’s collective performance.

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Millionaire James King, played by Ferrell, is going to jail for fraud and has 30 days to get his life in order. King realizes he will never survive in prison unless he prepares for the worst. Enlisting the help of small time car wash owner Darnell Lewis, played by Hart, he spends the month getting ready for the slammer.

Along the way, the two become friends and realize someone close to King framed him.

Ferrell himself has quite a few missed opportunities. With hits like “Anchorman” or “Step-Brothers,” shooting blanks like “Land of the Lost” and “The Campaign” do not mean much. Yet, every “Megamind” level film makes you wonder if he has lost it. This film is a little reminder of his movie saving talent.

“Get Hard” is stupid. It shows levels of moronic ideas only expressed in films like the “American Pie” spinoffs and Hart’s 2014 film “Ride Along.” The jokes are offensive at times, and the villain plot twist is as subtle as a bull in a china shop. Yet, this idiocracy floats away with the tag team performance of Ferrell and Hart.  

This movie would be nothing without these two actors. It would be a ship without a captain, hitting every rock on its way home. The two have an oddly magnificent chemistry. Hart plays the straight man to Ferrell’s ridiculousness, and their banter makes the flick funny.

For the most part, the jokes land perfectly. For how much the movie relies on nauseating prison rape quips, every other joke works. Knowing both actors love of improvisation, the good laughs probably come from the two just riffing—all of the offensive qualities originating in the script. The film provides virtually constant laughter for the entire 100 minutes.   

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To not talk about the prison rape jokes would downgrade how off-putting they are. In any jail story, the topic needs to be brought up. With how prevalent it is behind bars, it would be weirder if ignored.  

But the times “Get Hard” makes the topic a joke, it is an outdated viewpoint only thrown out by stereotypical frat guys. The kind of outlook only movie-goers who think Seth MacFarlane is the edgiest and funniest man alive will like.

“Get Hard” reeks of obviousness. It could never reach anywhere near being a good movie, because it hates even the thought of a curve ball. Every stereotype and contrived thought you had about the movie from the trailer, is true on so many levels. The best comedies, and even regular movies, are ones with surprises.

Watching this movie is a little like eating at a buffet. Nothing you will get is prime cut food. But if you know what is in store, a good time can be had. Hart and Ferrell’s performances alone make this worth watching. Only on DVD or Blu-Ray though. Do not spend $9 on this.

Stars: 2.5 out of 5