Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- witty
- breezy
- lazy sunday
- summer movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson have strong comic chemistry, helping an uneven and familiar espionage script remain breezy entertainment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Accountant Calvin Joyner is forced into partnership with his transformed former classmate Bob Stone, creating the film's central comic engine.
Calvin's high school memories and impending reunion collide with Bob's sudden arrival and CIA-related crisis.
CIA agents identify Bob as a rogue operative, while Bob claims he is pursuing the dangerous Black Badger.
Formerly bullied Robbie Weirdicht reappears as the physically imposing secret agent Bob Stone.
Films like Central Intelligence, and why
21 Jump Street
shares the buddy comedy format, mismatched partners, action set pieces, and irreverent humor
The Other Guys
combines espionage action with fast-paced comedy and mismatched comic leads
Rush Hour
features a friendship-driven action comedy built around contrasting personalities and escalating criminal danger
The Spy Who Dumped Me
mixes spy intrigue, broad comedy, and an unlikely partnership between an ordinary civilian and a dangerous operative
Movie Details
- Director
- Rawson Marshall Thurber
- Release Date
- 2016-06-15
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (6504)
Cast
- Kevin Hart
- Dwayne Johnson
- Amy Ryan
- Danielle Nicolet
- Jason Bateman
- Aaron Paul
- Ryan Hansen
- Tim Griffin
- Timothy John Smith
- Sione Kelepi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Central Intelligence about?
- A cautious accountant is pulled into a chaotic CIA manhunt by his formerly bullied high-school classmate, now a formidable secret agent.
- What is Central Intelligence like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Central Intelligence as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Central Intelligence violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Central Intelligence as mild.
- What did critics think of Central Intelligence?
- Critics broadly agreed that Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson have strong comic chemistry, helping an uneven and familiar espionage script remain breezy entertainment.
- Which films are like Central Intelligence?
- Films with a similar feel include 21 Jump Street, The Other Guys, Rush Hour, and The Spy Who Dumped Me.
- How long is Central Intelligence?
- Central Intelligence runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Central Intelligence?
- In United States, Central Intelligence streams on YouTube TV, Howdy Amazon Channel.
