Hawaii - Movie Review

WHAT’S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"What's the Worst That Could Happen?" pits cat burglar Kevin (Martin Lawrence) against ruthless and shady media mogul Max (Danny De Vito) in this comedy crime caper.  Their paths cross when Kevin tries to burgle one of Max's many houses and interrupts him frolicking in the bath with Miss September. 
 
Max, understandably doesn't take too kindly to this, gets Kevin arrested and steals Kevin's lucky ring by way of revenge.  Thus begins an escalating cycle of revenge, as Kevin tries to retrieve his ring and pay Max back in the bargain... 
 
It's a bit of a mixed bag this one.  Lawrence gives a curiously flat 
performance and seems constrained by the material which is more plot-heavy than "Big Momma's House" or "Blue Streak".  Consequently, he doesn't get much chance to do his comic thing, and when he does it looks very out of place, like he's having some sort of fit. 
 
Then there's the rather irritating romance interest involving a thankless role for Carmen Ejogo.  Why is it that glamorous women in films are NEVER funny?  Is it in some Hollywood contract that their sense of humour be lipo-sucked out before stepping in front of the camera? 
 
Fortunately, the day is saved by Danny De Vito who is like the Richard Nixon of actors, and always makes an excellent charming scumbag.  There's also good support from the large ensemble cast, with a special mention for William Fichtner as a very camp cop who dresses like the "Let's Dance" era David Bowie and Larry Miller as Max's inept security chief ("If the Pentagon had shared your faith in me sir, there would be a Disneyland in Cuba now.") 
 
So despite the mis-casting of Lawrence, an ending as unconvincing as a Milli Vanilli concert and one scene which is only slightly less offensive to Arabs than "The Satanic Verses" this film just about pulls through thanks to a few genuinely amusing moments.  It's not the worst that can happen to you on video, but I'd save your popcorn money for something a little better. 
 
3/5