Summary
- Kevin Hart & Tiffany Haddish join forces in the comedy Night School, showcasing their charismatic talents onscreen.
- Despite lackluster reviews, the film grossed over $103 million at the box office and garnered a solid A- CinemaScore.
- Night School is finding new appreciation on Netflix, climbing the Top 10 Movies list and attracting viewers with its lighthearted humor.
As a film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the classics that stand the test of time to the absolute duds that should have never seen the light of day. Night School, starring the dynamic duo Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, falls squarely into the latter category when it first premiered six years ago. However, my dear readers, I must admit, I was wrong about this one.
Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish are two of Hollywood’s most charming and bold entertainers, known for their exceptional comedic skills. They have been part of numerous films that have received both critical acclaim and commercial success. In the year 2018, these cinematic powerhouses teamed up to lead the buddy comedy “Night School”. In this movie, Hart plays a man who is compelled to return to school to obtain his GED, encountering a variety of quirky characters during his journey. Simultaneously, he faces challenges from his flamboyant and fiery teacher (portrayed by Haddish).
Despite raking in more than $103 million at the box office during its release, the movie “Night School,” starring Hart, received rather unfavorable critiques from critics who weren’t particularly impressed with it.
Despite receiving relatively low scores from both critics (27%) and audiences (38%) on Rotten Tomatoes, “Night School” has not been hindered from making its way onto Netflix’s most-watched movies list since its release on the streaming platform. Let’s explore what makes “Night School” special and why it has recently gained a fresh wave of admiration among fans.
What Is Night School About & Who Stars In It?
2018 movie “Night School” featured comedians Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish in leading roles. The film tells the story of Kevin Hart’s character, Teddy Walker, who is a former high school dropout. After losing his job as a barbecue grill salesman, he decides to earn his GED by attending night classes at his old high school. This character is well-known for starring in “Jumanji.”
Determined to pursue a more rewarding and satisfying profession, Teddy dedicates himself to completing his final semester at night school under the guidance of the challenging and non-conventional teacher Carrie Carter. Along with his fellow outcast students, Teddy sets out to conquer his focus problems and leave behind his former high school tormentor persona.
Night School boasts a hilarious ensemble of supporting actors such as Rob Riggle, Taran Killam, Ben Schwartz, and Romany Malco. This film was skillfully directed by Malcolm D. Lee, known for his successful comedies like Undercover Brother, Roll Bounce, and Girls Trip.
In his determination to earn his GED and start anew, Teddy uncovers learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. Fortunately, he receives guidance from Carrie on innovative strategies to navigate and conquer these educational challenges.
In 2018, Night School premiered with Kevin Hart enjoying immense success following Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’s box office earnings of almost a billion dollars, and Tiffany Haddish gaining widespread acclaim for her standout role in Girls Trip. Given this, the studio anticipated that their comedic collaboration would strike gold on the big screen.
Hart not only contributed as a co-writer and producer for the humorous film “Night School,” which was the debut production under his company HartBeat Productions. With an impressive lineup of actors and captivating performances from Hart and Haddish, one might expect this comedy to be a hit. However, critics found themselves less than impressed with the final product.
A Commercial Success But Critical Dud
At its global debut on September 28, 2018, “Night School” generally received poor reviews primarily because of its lackluster script and complex plot twists. Despite this, the efforts of Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and the rest of the talented cast were unable to fully compensate for the dull narrative.
Critics often argued that the movie “Night School” didn’t fully tap into its talented cast, as it juggled multiple scattered storylines and relied on forced plot devices, resulting in a disappointing 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, moviegoers were much more generous towards the film, giving it a good grade of A- on CinemaScore. The enthusiasm of fans for the lead actors likely contributed to the box office success of Night School, as it went on to earn over $103 million during its time in theaters.
The comedy took the lead during its debut weekend, outperforming other releases like Little Women, Smallfoot, and Hell Fest domestically, bringing in earnings between $25–31 million as anticipated. Its impressive showing at the box office sparked plans for a TV series adaptation of Night School at NBC in 2020, with Josh Seggara and Shanola Hampton signed on to star. However, the network ultimately decided not to proceed with the project later that year.
Hart & Haddish Can Do Much Better
In my humble opinion as a movie critic, I found myself yearning for more from the dynamic duo of Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish in this film. Despite their undeniable comedic prowess, the script seemed to tread familiar ground, failing to fully tap into their exceptional abilities. Given stronger material, these hilarious actors could have easily elevated the movie to new heights.
The charming Hart has proven time and time again that he can serve up some uproarious performances, doing so in popular flicks like Ride Along, Central Intelligence, and of course the stellar Jumanji franchise. Likewise, Haddish is celebrated for her fiery and fearless attitude and approach to comedy, dazzling fans in films including Girls Trip, Keanu, and Bad Trip.
The hit series “Night School” largely owes its commercial success to the dynamic energy and charisma of its two leading comedians. However, it’s worth mentioning that critics found their combined stardom and flair were underutilized by an unimaginative screenplay.
Rolling Stone wondered why Night School didn’t leverage the appeal of Hart and Haddish more effectively, questioning in their review, “It’s clear that Hart and Haddish are not lacking in humor. However, it would be foolish to suggest that their new comedy isn’t the most uninspired, humorless, money-grabbing drivel.”
The sequel movie didn’t live up to expectations as a fitting continuation after Haddish’s sensational performance in “Girls Trip,” instead starting a series of Hart productions that were financially successful, yet lacked critical acclaim. Despite the mixed reviews, Hart was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Best Comedy Movie Actor for his role in “Night School.” Later, he teamed up with Haddish again when they both lent their voices to characters in the 2019 box-office smash hit, “The Secret Life of Pets 2.”
Night School Finds New Appreciation on Netflix
Initially met with mixed reviews when it was released in cinemas six years ago, the comedy “Night School” has found a resurgence and positive reception among Netflix viewers after its addition to the streaming service. It’s been steadily climbing the platform’s most-watched movies list, even reaching the second spot for new releases on Netflix, with daily increases in viewership.
Night School is now aligned with noteworthy productions including fresh arrivals such as “Inside the Mind of a Dog” and “Saving Soggy Bottom,” as well as enduring hits like “The Lorax,” “White Chicks,” and “Trolls Band Together.”
Despite not being among their most critically acclaimed works, Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish still brought their unique comedic talents to bear in “Night School,” resulting in solid performances that elevated an otherwise ordinary comedy. Since its release on Netflix, the film has attracted a huge audience due to the undeniable charm and appeal of these comedians. Given this popularity, it’s likely that “Night School” will soon top the platform’s list of most-watched titles.
Watching “Night School” is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a relaxing viewing experience, where you can let go and laugh along with some amusing antics. It’s a delightful, forgettable film that offers a dose of humor, making it perfect for fans of the genre and the actors alike.
In an unusual praiseworthy statement for a comedy, the San Francisco Chronicle noted that while “Night School” may not always be uproariously funny, it consistently maintains a lively, comical atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout.
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2024-08-20 00:02