Young Rock Episode 1 Review: 4 Ups & 3 Downs
Just how electrifying is The People's Champion in Young Rock's premiere episode?
You know him, I know him, your mum thinks he's handsome. The Rock, AKA Dwayne Johnson, is an entertainment behemoth, and this time he's raising an eyebrow in the direction of Young Rock, a NBC sitcom staring, produced, and based on The People's Champion himself. Fresh off the Boat creator Nahnatchka Khan has teamed up with The Rock to executive produce, and they're off to a promising start in the premiere episode, but it’s not without its flaws.
Drawing on The Rock's personal past for inspiration, the show focuses on three different time periods in his young life. We're told personal stories by The Rock, who is being interviewed by Randall Park on Rock's campaign trail to become the President in 2032. It's just the right amount of ridiculous that could keep the concept fresh for later episodes, but the 22 minute premiere will whiz past you as you try to get to grips with all the settings and characters introduced.
There were some stand-out comedy moments and nostalgic cameos from the first episode, 'Working the Gimmick', but there were also significant elements that didn't quite click...
Ups...
4. Randall Park and The Rock Are Hilarious
The interview segments starring Randall Park and The Rock are as funny as they are short. Park will have you laughing out loud at his signature delivery, and The Rock (though he has good comedy chops himself) essentially acts as the straight man to Park's awkward humour.
Park's comedic chops have been praised before in small moments from his involvement in the MCU as agent Jimmy Woo, but he also starred in Nahnatchka Khan's Fresh Off The Boat. It's clear that Khan and Park's styles compliment each other, creating funny moments that might otherwise fall flat if the material was given to another actor.
The Rock is his usual charming, affable self, bringing that unmistakable presence that launched his acting career, and turned him into one of the highest paid actors in the world. He doesn't get much of a role outside of setting up his stories and reacting to Park's offbeat remarks, but he still manages to make a mark. Here's hoping he gets a little more comedic material to work with in future episodes.
The only downside about these interview scenes is that there isn't enough of them.