Keegan-Michael Key and John Cena in “Playing With Fire.” Photo Credit: Doane Gregory/Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Andy Fickman
Screenplay by: Dan Ewen and Matt Lieberman
Story by: Dan Ewen
Starring: John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Brianna Hildebrand, Dennis Haysbert, Judy Greer, Tyler Mane
With the recent wildfires in California, we really only see the physical part of what a fire fighter, any kind of fire fighter does for a living; they put themselves in harms’ way to protect us and, if they can, our property. One would also think that with “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”, that Andy Fickman’s resume is not exactly what one looks for when thinking about “Playing with Fire.”
However, the marriage between these two polar opposites couldn’t be further from the truth.
Sure, Dan Ewen and Matt Lieberman’s script, from Ewen’s story, doesn’t exactly ring a three-alarm wrangling to the movie theater: a group of wildfire fighters in the Sierra Nevada’s rescues a group of children from a fire.
The embers of the simplistic story keep glowing with a strong cast of characters. John Cena, who turned wrestling pro into actor, plays Jake “Supe” Carson, the station supervisor. He is a tough-as-nails, by the book leader, following in the footsteps of his father. Trying to crack his shell is Mark played by Keegan-Michael Key. If Key was this hilarious when he played with Peele, then I need to revisit their show. John Leguizamo plays Rodrigo the station’s chef and boy, does he love his Spam. Tyler Mane is Axe, the silent giant with, well, an axe.
Fickman smartly expands the reach of the story just enough to start “Supes” heroism out on the right foot – with an environmental concern. As the firefighters rush off to douse a burning home, which just happens to contain Brynn (Brianna Hildebrand), Will (Christian Convery) and Zoey (Finley Rose Slater), they also grab a bucket of water from a lake being monitored by Dr. Amy Hicks (Judy Greer).
The crew manages to save the children from the fire and an effort to return them to their parents proves a hilarious, and a sobering challenge. At the center of the story really are themes of family and trust; each of the actors plays into this with all their heart.
The key to the antics lies squarely on Mark’s feet. Mark is constantly putting subliminal reminders into Jake’s field of view in camera as a way to break his impenetrable force field of sheer will and determination. Yet, we know from the way the kids were rescued from the fire, that the story is going to take a predictable turn.
I’m used to seeing Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead (“Deadpool”). Here she sheds most of the boldness from that role, but none of the brashness as Brynn. We know from the way the story telegraphs the importance of the children’s presence, that not everything is as it seems with these children. Hildebrand’s performance as Jake-lite was endearing, reminding me of a mother bear protecting her cubs, clawing out at anything or, anyone, who gets in her way. Jake, wanting to do the right thing, stumbles on to the real story behind the kid’s presence in the forest.
Dennis Haysbert, who you probably know better from the Allstate Insurance commercials, plays Commander Richards. Like a parent, and ironically like a good neighbor (but wrong insurer), Richards checks in on the stationhouse.
And just when we think the party’s over, Carson and Fickman turn over a new leaf. “Playing with Fire” has a lot of heart, reminding me of Vin Diesel’s “The Pacifier” from 2005. “Playing with Fire” isn’t going to win any awards and its over simplistic story has more fun than it is serious, but it tugs at our heart strings and that’s okay.
2.5 out of 4
