Tagline: Smack destiny in the face.
Self-proclaimed stuntman Rod Taylor is preparing for the jump of his life. Rod plans to clear fifteen buses in an attempt to raise money for his abusive stepfather Frank’s life-saving heart operation. He’ll land the jump, get Frank better, and then fight him, hard.
Rod Kimble (Andy Samberg), a self-proclaimed stuntman, is convinced he has bravery in his blood. He’s grown up believing he’s the son of Evel Knievel’s test-rider, a courageous stuntman who died in his prime. Rod is committed to fulfilling his father’s legacy. Only problem is…he sucks!
Rod lives at home with his loving mom Marie (Sissy Spacek), jerk of a stepfather Frank (Ian McShane) and nerdy stepbrother Kevin (Jorma Taccone). He doesn’t have a job, and can usually be found doing stunts on his moped, attempting to jump over everything from milk trucks to public swimming pools. Rod and his team – Dave (Bill Hader), the mechanic; Rico (Danny McBride), the ramp builder and Kevin, the team manager/videographer – are inseparable. It’s almost like they share a brain. When Rod’s neighbor Denise (Isla Fisher) joins the team, the group’s IQ virtually doubles.
Rod remains optimistic in spite of the abuse he suffers from his stepfather. Frank has a penchant for beating the tar out of Rod, who just keeps coming back for more in the hopes of earning Frank’s respect by besting him in one of their regular knock-down brawls. When Frank gets sick and needs a $50,000 operation, Rod attempts to raise the money by undertaking his biggest stunt ever – jumping 15 buses, one more than Evel Knievel himself ever dared. After all, he’s got to get Frank all better so he can kick his ass!
Production notes provided by Paramount Pictures.
Hot Rod
Starring: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Mark Acheson, Bill Hader, Danny R. McBride, Sissy Spacek
Directed by: Akiva Schaffer
Screenplay by: Pam Brady, Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer
Release Date: August 3rd, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude humor, language, some comic drug-related and violent content.
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Box Office Totals
Domestic: $13,938,332 (97.2%)
Foreign: $396,069 (2.8%)
Total: $14,334,401 (Worldwide)