Pain & Gain (2013)

Number Rolled: 5

Movie Name/Year: Pain & Gain (2013)

Genre: Comedy

Length: 129 minutes

Rating: R

Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, De Line Pictures

Executive Producer: Matthew Cohan, Scott Gardenhour, Wendy Japhet

Director: Michael Bay

Writer: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Pete Collins

Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Bar Paly, Rebel Wilson, Ken Jeong, Michael Rispoli, Keili Lefkovitz, Emily Rutherfurd, Larry Hankin, Tony Plana, Peter Stormare, Vivi Pineda, Ken Clement, Yolanthe Cabau, Brian Stepanek, Kurt Angle

Daniel Lugo believes in fitness. After all, he knows the only reason people aren’t fit is because they don’t have the drive to just do the work. Disgusted with getting no respect and having to deal with people who have no drive, he comes up with a plan on how to get what he deserves. Lugo recruits some friends in order to execute his plan.

The first half hour was like listening to an audio book. I hate audio books. If I want to read a book, I pick one up and open it. I don’t need someone to read to me. I’m not six.

It both bothered and bored me.

Once the writer/director decided that the audience knew enough back-story to follow the plot things got more interesting.

Now, considering this film was based on a true story, I have trouble judging it on the plot. Although that keyword (“based”) means that some, if not much, of the movie was exaggerated or creatively different, the skeletal structure follows what Pete Collins wrote in his articles.

When I move on to other components, it’s easier to judge. I love Dwayne Johnson (WWE, Furious 7, Hercules), probably more than I should. Mark Wahlberg (Transformers: Age of Extinction, Ted, Shooter) and Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Million Dollar Baby) both did really well with their dumb characters. It was impressive.

In the end, I think back on the movie fondly. That means I’m more likely to watch it again.

I will, however, be fast-forwarding through the half-hour long introduction.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 50%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 47%

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 3.1/5

Trust-the-Dice Score – 3/5

Movie Trailer: