Ride Along

From the moment James Payton (Ice Cube) emerges from a shadowy wall of flame in a tricked-out truck—about two minutes in—you know exactly what you’re going to get sitting shotgun on the enjoyable but completely predictable Ride Along. Ice Cube is a gruff cop toiling away at an impossible case—taking down Atlanta king pin Omar (Laurence Fishburne) who’s killed anyone who’s ever seen his face—with help from obviously-dirty-from-the-get-go cops Santiago (John Leguizamo, type-cast as usual) and Miggs (Bryan Callen). What follows could have gone straight to DVD if it weren’t for the adorable pint-sized Ben (Kevin Hart), security guard and chronic gamer who happens to be dating James’ sister Angela (Tika Sumpter, toweringly gorgeous). In an effort to win over the non-approving James, Ben heads out on a 24-hour ride along (get it?) and in a series of silly hijinks manages to make himself useful. It’s a recycled plot, but that’s not why we stick around—we’re here for the Kevin party, the one-liners, high-energy scene stealing and all around Hart-warming that happens when you turn your brain off, stuff your face with peanut butter M&Ms and let the good guy make you laugh. —Lindsay Raining Bird