important note: If you’re sensitive to the Orlando shootings of this week, this film has guns and hostages, but it’s done in such a way that there’s a clear message. Bullying being intolerable.
The movie opens with a pumping soundtrack – 20 years ago – Central High School, where Calvin (Kevin Heart) is the President of the Drama Club, student council President, and homecoming King. Nearby in a local locker room, Rob Stone (Dwayne Johnson) – a chubby nerd – is being bullied before being flung out on the gymnasium floor at Calvin’s feet . Completely naked. Calvin takes his jacket to cover up the humiliated Rob Stone.
Twenty-years later, Calvin, who ‘peaked’ in high school, is now a mild mannered accountant who gets a ‘friend’ request on his Facebook page. He accepts the invite, only to find out it’s Rob Stone who lost 200 pounds and gained it back in muscle. He’s Hercules and Calvin is like a snack size Denzel. But, alas, Calvin is soon thrown into some highly classified secrets unsure who to trust, but showing his true colors where friendships endure.
Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy make some unexpected appearances as well. But what the movie is really trying to tell us is that bullying is intolerable. And I hope some high school kid watching this might think about the results of going back to his own reunion someday and facing the nerd who’s now probably more successful than you. I’m sure Bill Gates can relate. ♕ ♚ ♛