Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Aaron Paul’s post-Breaking Bad film career has been interesting, in that, sometimes, it really hasn’t been. This dude is a tremendous actor, there is no doubting that. The work he did on Breaking Bad was next-level, and the Hulu drama The Path blesses us with another fantastic performance from him. Plus, with his role in Netflix’s BoJack Horseman, this dude OWNS TV shows.
When it comes to his film projects, there’s less of a consistency for him. After moving on from Jesse Pinkman, Paul starred in Need for Speed, as well as Hellion, A Long Way Down, Eye in the Sky, Fathers & Daughters, and Triple 9. It’s understandable after being on Breaking Bad for 5 seasons that he’d want to play around, try different characters, different ensembles, and different genres. And he did! None were quite the critical or even commercial successes as the AMC drama was, but it’s probably not fair to even compare the projects to begin with. In fact, one of the brightest spots in Paul’s film career came with 2012’s Smashed, an indie drama opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead, which earned more than decent reviews, and provided us with as strong of a performance as we’ve ever expected from him.
Which brings us to the unexpected role of Phil in Central Intelligence. If you have yet to see the Dwayne Johnson-Kevin Hart action comedy, go watch it right now. Hurry! It’s on HBO, and it will make SO much more sense why I’m talking about an actor you didn’t even realize was in the movie.
This is why Paul’s role is so special here. We’re fairly deep into the movie before he’s even introduced (with no signs of him in the trailer), as Bob’s (Johnson) former partner in a scene that can be written off as maybe a cute cameo. Before he’s blown to smithereens in an elevator it feels like perhaps we just witnessed a quick flash of stunt casting (neither the first nor the last in this film).
Oh, but he returns. As the bad guy! We’re so used to this guy being a total Cadbury egg, all hard on the outside but soft and emotional on the inside. Jesse Pinkman, no matter how fiercely he might be calling you a bitch, was never a truly bad guy. So after a lot of back and forth in Central Intelligence (Is Bob a crazy person? Is the CIA being truthful? Is Kevin Hart’s Calvin going to be ok?) there’s something so exciting about the reveal that Paul is a total meanie. In a film that perfectly balances action with silliness, and sweetly relays the message to be nice to everyone, there’s something so devilishly fun about Paul walking out from the shadows to reveal himself as an evil mastermind.
We didn’t see it coming, and that’s what makes it such a cool surprise, both Paul as the baddie, and, for once, not the heart and moral compass of a project. We know he can play a sweetie and the dude on the hunt for justice, but watching him be a dick is exciting. Using that voice to be menacing is a much better use of of it than those numerous commercial voice overs he’s scored, and widening those eyes with cruel intent behind them makes them shine brighter. But where he really shines? Acting annoyed with Johnson! I mean, who could ever be so annoyed by big ‘ol lug, The Rock?
Even as a total dick, and the guy going up against Johnson and Hart, currently two of the most beloved actors, Paul seems to be having the most fun in Central Intelligence and viewers can feel that through the screen. His low, slow dialogue stays as entertaining as the action scenes, and the film lets him leave behind earnest for exciting, easily making this the smartest movie move he’s made in some time. When it comes to film roles, it seems Paul could finally be on the right path.
