Masterminds (2016)

The first film directed by Jared Hess (think Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, or Gentlemen Broncos, to name just a few) that he did not write (or even co-write) the screenplay to, this still has his distinctive mark all over it, in a good way.

David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) is an employee of Loomis Fargo, a job he loves dearly. Though his job is incredibly repetitive, he has become so trusted as an armored-car driver, he is the only non-management employee to be entrusted with keys to the vault.

When new employee, attractive and flirtatious Kelly (Kristen Wiig) starts working with him, he finds it difficult to remain completely faithful to his fiancee Jandice (Kate McKinnon). The two of them become very close, and she (one way or another) convinces him to help her steal over $17 million dollars from the company.

David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) and Kelly (Kristen Wiig).

The two become involved with small-time criminal Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and his wife Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Ellis). Steve uses (and abuses) David's incredibly trusting nature, and convinces him to take the entire fall for the heist, and then flee to Mexico.

David believes the whole time that Kelly will be joining him in Mexico, when in reality, Chambers turns Ghantt into the FBI, beginning a cat-and-mouse game between David and international police, including FBI Agents Scanlon (Leslie Jones) and Plewe (Jon Daly).

Throw in an incredibly eccentric hitman named Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis), and you have the recipe for a hilarious comedy, in a very similar vein to Hess's previous films.

David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) and Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis).

His trademark long camera shots (long as in duration, not distance from the action) and slightly odd characters and situations are all here, giving the film a very similar feel to his previous offerings. However, he did not write the screenplay this time around. The screenplay was written by Chris Bowman & Hubbel Palmer and Emily Spivey, and the style does feel different enough from Hess's style, though the film is definitely identifiable as a Jared Hess film.

The cast all perform their roles very well, almost always underplaying the comedy (again in that typical Hess style). Galifianakis in particular is fabulous as the reluctant hero, and it is a role that is different enough from his previous work, too. Jason Sudeikis is also great as McKinney, but certainly, the two best performances have got to be from Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, who both do an incredible job in their roles. It is definitely a change to not see these two brilliant comedians working together, as they don't really have any scenes together (they do work very well together, as those who have seen their work before will know), but they both still do a brilliant job at portraying their characters, and again underplaying the comedy.

Agent Scanlon (Leslie Jones).

Sarah Edwards's costume design is well done, clearly defining and revealing each character. And with that, the production design, courtesy of Clayton Hartley, sets each and every scene in a very real world.

Despite not writing the screenplay, Hess has still managed to leave his mark all over this film, establishing himself as a truly unique director with a unique vision. This is a very clever film, using all the classic tropes and rules of comedy, while never descending into cliche or stereotype. If you haven't seen it, I would certainly recommend it, particularly if you have enjoyed any of Jared Hess's previous offerings.

7 out of 10.