REVIEW: Stuber Fails to Kick Into High Gear

Everyone has their own random, uncomfortable, awkward, or just plain funny ride-share experience story, Stuber might just be the pinnacle of them all. Uber driver, Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) picks up Detective Vic (Dave Bautista) and together they go on a wild journey. Amidst the many issues the detective brings in to the car in his quest to catch a terrorist, Stu remains focused on maintaining his pristine customer service rating.

The plot has potential but fails to execute on the laughs. Nanjiani is great and provides the majority of the comedy; Bautista is, unfortunately, too stiff in the role. His funny scenes are more forced than Nanjian’s causing a number of lines to fall flat. It isn’t until the end of the movie when the two finally find their stride together. By this point that the action has picked up, which works in Bautista’s favor, and the comedy amps up creating some pretty funny scenes.

The duo is joined in the movie by Mira Sorvino, who plays Captain McHenry and Natalie Morales, who plays Vic’s daughter, Nicole. They are not in the movie nearly enough, Morales in particular was very strong in her scenes and would have been entertaining to see more of. She and Nanjiani have a handful of minor scenes together that will leave you wishing for more.

I wanted to like this movie more and it’s disappointing I don’t. If you are hoping to head to the theaters this weekend, I would suggest seeing something else. This movie is the perfect OnDemand flick you can watch from the comfort of your own home.

Grade: C-