About the film (courtesy of Paramount Pictures):
When straight-laced fire superintendent Jake Carson (John Cena) and his elite team of expert firefighters (Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo and Tyler Mane) come to the rescue of three siblings (Brianna Hildebrand, Christian Convery and Finley Rose Slater) in the path of an encroaching wildfire, they quickly realize that no amount of training could prepare them for their most challenging job yet – babysitters. Unable to locate the children’s parents, the firefighters have their lives, jobs and even their fire depot turned upside down and quickly learn that kids – much like fires –are wild and unpredictable.
Former WWE superstar John Cena has finally found his calling post-wrestling, maybe. Like other notable actors that have sought careers outside the ring, Cena needed some time to find his niche in cinematic presentations. A natural transition point always seems to be action first but that arena is difficult to break into. The avant-garde thing to do years and years ago was for a “tough guy” actor to take on the unexpected role of comedy. So many iconic veteran actors have gone this route and it has brought new life to their careers. Athletes-turned-actors have been trending for a while, and lately they’ve been laughing their way to the bank by embracing their humorous sides. Playing with Fire is just another example of this formula working once again.
Jake Carson (John Cena) is man who puts his career first and doesn’t make time for trivial things like having fun. Driven to make his late father proud, he forgoes any time of social life for the sake of his job. That all changes when three children (Brianna Hildebrand, Christian Convery and Finley Rose Slater) come under his care. Introducing these kids into the mix leads to some crazy, zany and moments of true growth for Carson, his team and the kids who are now his responsibility.
Jake has a dependable team (Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo and Tyler Mane), albeit small due to a few defections, to help keep everyone safe. These four men work as a team and see themselves as a small family. With the addition of the three kids, this family is quickly growing. Combine that with the awkward love interest between Jake and Dr. Amy Hicks (Judy Greer) along with Jake’s career aspirations to take over the position of soon-to-be-retired Commander Richards (Dennis Haysbert), Playing with Fire is about to become a perfect storm of comedy and compassion.
This story is extremely lighthearted and walks the path of a typical family comedy with the younger actors getting into all sorts of trouble while the supposed capable adults bumble their way through these silly scenarios. Playing with Fire plays out exactly as you’d expect it to but it’s still a fun ride down the fire pole. There’s a lot of physical comedy present as well as the standard slapstick material. The younger actors are mischievous and adorable while the adults are doing the same things, just in bigger bodies.
John Cena is still a little stiff but it works for his character. Keegan-Michael Key is very entertaining throughout. John Leguizamo doesn’t lag far behind with his silliness. Another former professional wrestler, Tyler Mane brings laughs with his stoic behavior and then switches gears to surprise audiences with a different level of entertainment. Judy Greer and Dennis Haysbert are good in their respective roles, not great. And the three youths (Brianna Hildebrand, Christian Convery and Finley Rose Slater) prove to be good little actors.
Overall, Playing with Fire provides enough silly moments to keep the little ones entertained, an adequate plot to give the adults something to chew on (while chuckling at the comedy) and a few nice lessons about love, growth and change. This is the kind of movie that the entire family can go see because there’s a little something for everyone and you need not worry about adolescents seeing or hearing something they should not. Check it out in theaters today, you’re guaranteed to have a few laughs in the process.
