A heavyweight hit

THERE are two types of movies I appreciate the most. The ones made in the 90s and those that are set in the 90s.

The time era brings a smile to my face. It isn’t just the ridiculous clothing choices and the idiotic catchphrases, it’s the nostalgia of it all. What could bring more joy to a 90s kid than Scooby Doo covered car seats … the exact reason I knew this was going to be a flm I could enjoy.

Not only is the movie ‘based’ on the true story of the Sun Gym Gang and set in 1995, but it also takes place in the best city to be in during that time … Miami, a city where being rich, muscled and wearing skimpy outfts, (regardless of gender) has been the trend since the 1980s.

Despite hearing terrible things about Pain & Gain, I had faith that Mark Wahlberg would lead the cast of A-list actors to success … and I was right.

I honestly don’t know what’s to dislike. It has dark humour, good and likeable actors, an entertaining plot and over the top action and violence.

Some may argue that it was deceiving coming from director Michael Bay, who is known for his visual effects mayhem and sci-f blockbusters, yet I truly believe he uses his techniques subtly to create a simple movie.

Unlike his past creations, he has an original story to work with, adds likeable characters and stirs in a dry mix of anticipation and comedy. It may have not been amazing, but I enjoyed myself throughout.

The story tells the tale of the three-bodybuilding stooges chasing the ‘American dream’.

Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg) is a personal trainer at the Sun Gym who loves ftness almost as much as he loves his idol, Rocky. He spends most of his time at the gym alongside his friend and fellow trainer Adrian (Anthony Mackie).

With a body like his, he deserves more than just training the fatties in Florida, or so he thinks. He attends lectures and workshops to become the ‘doer’ he knows he can be.

When Lugo starts training obnoxious millionaire Victor Kershaw (Tony Shaloub), who blabbers on about his off-shore bank accounts, his mansion and lavish boat, Lugo sees his opportunity.

He joins forces with Adrian and ex-con, Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson), and they decide to kidnap Kershaw, torture him and force him to sign over his assets to them.

The plan eventually works out for the trio who are sporting retro outfts throughout the flm … but just as everything seems to fall into place, the viewers are taken on an a journey involving dogs, drugs and disaster whilst listening to musical gems from the nineties.

These kidnappers turned murderers are not intended to be likeable, but funnily enough I enjoyed their stupidity. It only became unsettling when I got home and researched to fnd most of the story is true … I had been rooting for the maniacs and I should be concerned.

The performances were great. Wahlberg, Mackie and Johnson all portray what you would expect the Sun Gym Gang to actually be like. The addition of comedy also allowed them to take liberties with their acting.

Surprisingly, Johnson was my favourite in the movie. Even his facial expressions were humorous as the newfound Christian who has a soft spot for Victor.

Shalhoub has always annoyed me since his days on the TV series Monk and it’s ironic to see that the only character the viewers should feel sympathetic towards is the only character they want to see dead. I’m not sure if this was intentional, but the real Victor should probably fle a lawsuit.

The movie did have its faws, especially with strange voiceovers throughout that could have suffced as normal dialogue, as well as running longer than it needed to, but it left me yearning for the 90s when crime appeared to be so easy and simple. Oh, the good old days.

*Showing in Cineco, Seef I, Seef II, Saar Cineplex, Al Jazeera Cineplex