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Playing with Fire is a 2019 American family comedy film directed by Andy Fickman from a screenplay by Dan Ewen and Matt Lieberman based on a story by Ewen. The film stars John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Brianna Hildebrand, Dennis Haysbert, and Judy Greer.
Nov 8, 2019 · When a fire breaks out at a cabin and the team swoops in to put out the flames, Jake finds a trio of siblings trapped inside: responsible teenager Brynn (Brianna Hildebrand), impish little brother Will (Christian Convery) and the tiny, wide-eyed moppet Zoe (Finley Rose Slater).
Playing with Fire: Directed by Andy Fickman. With John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Tyler Mane. A crew of rugged firefighters meet their match when attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids.
Playing with Fire is a 2019 American family comedy film directed by Andy Fickman from a screenplay by Dan Ewen and Matt Lieberman based on story by Ewen. The film stars John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Brianna Hildebrand, Dennis Haysbert, and Judy Greer, and follows a group of...
- Once you accept the broad comedy style, you can let yourself relax into the giggle fits this film is going to give you.
- Playing With Fire Gallery
- Verdict
By Jenna Busch
Posted: Nov 7, 2019 9:00 pm
When Playing With Fire opens, we get a pretty goofy take on what real firefighters and first responders do. Watching the film from California, where large portions of the state are frequently on fire, and people are really losing their homes and lives, was a bit jarring. The film moves past that rather quickly, but this is just a warning to those of you in a burning state. You might have to do some explaining to your kids after the credits roll.
With that out of the way, here’s the deal. Smokejumper Superintendent Jake Carson (John Cena) and his crew (Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo and Tyler Mane, who plays the largely silent Axe) are facing a crisis. Jake is desperate to take over all the smokejumpers when his boss (Dennis Haysbert) retires. However, many of his crew members have left, making it harder for him to prove himself. He’s a terrible boyfriend, leaving his date, Dr. Amy Hicks (Judy Greer), halfway through dinner. His dad passed in a fire when he was young, and he’s still trying to live up to that legacy. He’s tough, he doesn’t cry, despite his much softer-hearted coworker (Key) constantly passing him a tissue, and he certainly doesn’t have time for kids.
Ah, but kids there are. When the crew saves Brynn (Brianna Hildebrand), Will (Christian Convery) and the very tiny show-stealer Zoey (Finley Rose Slater) from a fire, he finds himself and his crew stuck with them for an entire weekend. Kids are the darnedest things, mucking up the works, getting peanut butter all over shiny fire trucks, blowing things up, and generally having unpleasant-smelling bodily functions. They’re also adorable urchins who need a hand. Hearts are melted and it’s no surprise that the film has a happy ending. You know that’s coming from the beginning.
Playing With Fire is played broadly, with slapstick comedy that initially suggests you’ll be groaning with irritation. Suddenly though, you find yourself falling in love with these characters. This film is absolutely for children, and never veers from that except for, well ... If you’re looking for multiple opportunities to see John Cena without his shirt, you won’t be disappointed. If your dream is to see him in a My Little Pony half-shirt, well, sometimes dreams do come true.
The supporting characters are absolutely delightful here, as Key and Leguizamo always are, and the kids are adorable. The whole movie, however, rests on John Cena’s ability to be at once a tough guy that you know is going to melt, and also his ability to sell the scenes in which he’s really feeling something. Cena absolutely has those abilities. He transitions easily from broad comedy to really heartfelt moments with Brynn. Cena has the same charm as Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop. He’s just damn likable. Jake’s romance with Dr. Amy is less believable, but it’s mostly because her character gets sort of lost in the A storyline. Still, watching Judy Greer do anything is entertaining, and though there isn’t much for her to do besides forgive the jerk who ran out on her date, she’s still fun to watch.
At the screening I attended, which was open to the public, the peals of laughter weren’t just from children. About a third of the way through the film, the adults started to laugh as well. By the end, there was audible sniffling. The film has a sweet message, and it’s a blast to watch, silly as the story is. Stay through the credits, because if you weren’t already laughing, the bloopers they play will break you.
The comedy is broad and slapstick, but ultimately the film is heartwarming and lovely. You’ll find yourself laughing in spite of your initial reaction to the goofiness of the premise. It’s also a fun way to spend an afternoon with the kids. Be warned though, your children are going to rename your pets Sparkle Pony.
Oct 27, 2019 · Playing With Fire in US theaters November 8, 2019 starring John Cena, Brianna Hildebrand, Judy Greer, John Leguizamo. When straight-laced fire superintendent Jake Carson (John Cena) and his elite team of expert firefighters (Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizam.
Playing with Fire. Plugin not supported. Broken Road Productions, Paramount Players, Nickelodeon Movies. Distributor: Paramount Pictures. Comedy | Family Relationships. Family-friendly. Firefighters. A crew of rugged fighters meet their match when attempting to rescue three rambunctious kids.
