Based on a true story, Pain & Gain can only be described as a dark comedy/action film. In all honesty, the film's more mild in terms of violence than the real story written by Pete Collins, though the R rating is still well deserved. There were plenty of moments that made me queasy, and I don't really want to think about eating any grilled food for a while. You'll understand. Stylistically, it is a film directed by Michael Bay, so yes, there is the cliche slow-motion walk-away explosion. Why would you expect anything less?
In order to make this movie entertaining, the protagonist bodybuilders had to appear likeable, which is why they were written as being somewhat bumbling and comical. Pain & Gain makes it seem as if they fell into being kidnappers and extortionists by accident rather than by calculated design. It doesn't hurt that their victim, played by Tony Shalhoub, is the most unlikeable victim in recent memory, at least according to the script. If this story had been told from the point of view of Shalhoub's character, this movie would be completely different.
The trio of Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie create a fantastic amount of onscreen chemistry. Their sense of comedic timing is perfect, though Wahlberg often overuses that deer-in-the-headlights look of his. Johnson shows that he can play more than just your generic tough guy by portraying a born-again Christian/reformed drug addict; the character doesn't remain static through the film, and it is interesting to watch his progression. As the only female in the film who isn't a stripper, Rebel Wilson's 8 minutes on screen could have been expanded, and her character could have been better written, but her performance is on par for what you'd expect.
While the first half of the film is filled with the comical escapades of watching the bodybuilders attempt to kidnap a comparatively diminutive man, the second half was much heavier as the climax neared and the central characters became more deeply embroiled in their life of crime. It becomes even more depressing once you remember that what's happening on screen has happened to actual people. As much as this film is entertaining, that factor fades a bit once you start questioning the morality of what you're watching.
