by Tim Estiloz
Rebel Wilson returns to the big screen in a light-hearted fun comedy vehicle that aims to show off her action chops quite a bit more than we’ve seen in the past. In the new film “Bride Hard”, Wilson is re-teamed with her “Pitch Perfect” franchise co-star Anna Camp with a storyline that’s best described as a comedic cross between “Bridesmaids” and “Die Hard”. It’s somewhat of an audacious concept; but more often than not, it kinda’ works as an exercise in the bonds of longtime female friendships and the chaos that can ensue when planning a big wedding.
Action film director Simon West ( Con Air, Tomb Raider, Expendables 2 ) gives Wilson a chance to front a comedy that shows her character as more confident and take charge; as opposed to some of her earlier films that relied on weight jokes and pratfalls.
In “Bride Hard”, Wilson plays Sam, who’s tasked with planning her best friend of 30-years wedding as “Maid of Honor”. Camp plays her best friend Betsy, somewhat mirroring the real life friendship the two actresses share off screen.
However, unbeknownst to Betsy and the entire bridal party, Wilson’s normal 9-to-5 job is just a cover for her real profession as a government secret agent, which has kept Sam from being in regular touch with her longtime bestie. The distance has put a bit of strain on their relationship and Sam hopes to make amends by planning Betsy’s wedding.
Unfortunately, when all the bridesmaids gather for a big bachelorette party in Paris, Sam is unexpectedly called into duty on an assignment just blocks away as the bride’s party is about to begin. When Sam finally returns to the girls hours later, a dejected and tipsy Betsy asks her annoyingly abrasive and condescending soon-to-be sister-in-law Virginia ( Anna Chlumsky ) to plan her wedding instead of Sam.
Despite all this, Sam still decides to attend the wedding that’s being held on a private island in Savannah, GA. It seems Betsy’s future husband comes from a wealthy family with a lot of “old money”. Sam gets concerned that this new posh world and family may not be the kind of thing her longtime friend really wants to join.
However, Betsy rejects Sam’s well-meaning but unsolicited advice causing a greater strain on their already tenuous friendship and Betsy asks Sam to leave. As Sam prepares to leave, a group of gun-toting mercenaries crash the wedding led by Kurt ( Stephen Dorff ) and take the wedding party hostage while demanding the groom’s family open up the family vault to a king’s ransom of gold bullion inside.
From there, it’s up to Sam to tap into her skill and experience as a secret agent to one-by-one beat the numerous bad guys and rescue her best friend, her fellow bridesmaids and the entire wedding party.
On the surface, the whole thing seems like a ridiculous concept; but Wilson and the ensemble of actors make “Bride Hard” a rather engaging and fun romp. Silly indeed, but fun nonetheless.
Wilson is all in on embracing her inner action hero in this film. The plausibility of some of the action sequences stretches belief at times, but it’s delightful to see Wilson so enthusiastically embrace these physical moments. Whether channeling her real-life martial arts training to swing a pair of mean nunchucks or swing a fire hose like rodeo cowboy to dispatch a bad guy; it’s fun to see Wilson so gleefully inhabit such a take charge character in these stunts.
Also, the chemistry between Camp and Wilson works in those quieter moments as two life long friends trying to navigate a strained relationship and reconnect via the longtime love and bonds they share.
The remaining cast consisting of Justin Hartley as the best man, Chris; Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Gigi Zumbado as the two remaining bridesmaids all have their fun moments in the film, pleasantly adding to the mix.
Some of the dialogue and jokes do fall flat at times. However, director West keeps the pace moving by mixing action with a bit of slapstick topped off with a touch of poignancy in all the right places. “Bride Hard” isn’t perfect; but just like a slice of wedding cake, it’s a harmlessly light comedic confection that will bring a smile to your face.
It’s the perfect film for a girls night out.