Get Him to the Greek

Russell Brand reprises his role as rock star Aldous Snow in the non-sequel to 2008's "Forgetting Sarah Marshall".  Aaron Green (played by Jonah Hill) is an ambitious record producer who is still a huge Aldous Snow fan, despite his recent fall from fame after a hugely offensive and lame debacle of an album.  When Aaron's boss starts hinting at financial troubles for their label, Aaron suggests hosting an Aldous Snow anniversary concert at the Greek Theater in L.A. to drum up some easy money.  The problem is, Aaron's boss puts him in charge of getting Aldous to the concert on time, and that task may prove easier said than done.  The film's antics provide some hearty laughs, but all in all the comedy is sporadic at best.  Brand pretty much carries the story, portraying Aldous as a superficial, egotistical, over-sexed, and over-drugged party animal.  Brand's humor is a little obvious, but his natural charm and ability not to take himself too seriously gets the job done.  Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Hill.  A guy who got off to a fantastic start in 2007's "Superbad" has quickly become one-note.  It seems that Hill is only capable of playing the same type of character over and over again, and his angry but lovable loser shtick is starting to wear a little thin.  The highlight of the film - and definitely the most surprising turn - may very well be by Rose Byrne, who plays pop sensation Jackie Q and Aldous' girlfriend of 7 years.  Having done mostly serious roles up until now (most notably on the critically-acclaimed legal drama "Damages"), it is refreshing to see Byrne in a crass, ditzy role where she dances provocatively in music videos, wearing ridiculous outfits and singing songs with thinly-veiled metaphors about anal sex (laugh-out-loud hilarious).  "Get Him to the Greek" may not be the funniest addition to the Apatow collection of raunch fests with heart, but it still merits a viewing if only for Brand's self-indulgent charisma and Byrne's outrageously naughty and out-of-character appearance.


3 out of 5 stars