“Get Him to the Greek” Gets You Laughing By Art Byrd

Usually I am leery of buddy comedies. I love buddy action films, but in the buddy comedies, one of the pals is often way funnier than the other.

In the case of “Get Him to the Greek,” both Russell Brand and Jonas Hill are equally funny, maybe with a slight edge going to Brand. Brand plays Aldous Snow, the same character we saw in the 2008 movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” I like the idea of seeing same character from one film in another, different one.

It’s no coincidence that Nicholas Stoller, who directed “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” is the writer and director of “Get Him to the Greek.”

The film centers on the classic plot of a guy low on the business totem pole getting an impossible job.

During a brutal brainstorming session, lowly record employee Aaron Green, played Jonas Hill, (“Superbad,” “Knocked Up”) comes up with an idea for a once popular rock star -- Snow -- to perform at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles as part of the 10th anniversary of his legendary performance there.

His idea is not taken seriously until a few days before the anniversary. The record company owner, Sergio Roma (played by Puff Daddy, Sean P. Combs), is crazy in how he treats his employees. Sergio gives Aaron the opportunity to go with his idea. Aaron has 72 hours to go London, get Snow, and deliver him to Los Angeles for the show.

But the hard partying Adonis is not easy to get on a plane. Once they get on the plane and start going places, though, the fun begins. Actually, the movie has a lot of funny moments. Watching Aaron being dragged into the world of excessive partying is worth the movie ticket.

There are spots where the movie is crude, especially with a scene involving hiding a bag of drugs. Some over-the-top party scenes prove it’s no wonder everyone is a little crazy. There are also heartfelt moments as a strange friendship forms between Snow and Aaron.

A good supporting cast helped the movie. I really like Elizabeth Moss (“Mad Men”) as Daphne, Aaron’s girlfriend. She was cute, funny and nice as she was trying to understand why he was behaving so badly with Snow. Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”), who was in the film briefly, was funny as Aaron’s co-worker. Surprisingly, an actress we mostly see in serious roles -- Rose Byrne (“Damages”) -- was funny and well played as Jackie Q, the love of Snow’s life.

“Get Him to the Greek” was a mindless ride on the movie rollercoaster. I think once you get off the ride, you’ll be planning to ride again on DVD.

Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts