Writer/director Larry Rippenkroeger’s jet ski action comedy “Hot Water” is a throwback to 1980s raunchy comedies with its mix of crude and corny humor, wild action and hapless but harmless characters. The movie is largely about jet skiing — no surprise since Rippenkroeger is a four-time world champion jet skier who later worked as a stuntman and stunt coordinator. The jet ski race sequences are well executed and will appeal to water sports enthusiasts.
The story centers on hotshot Billy Burnett (Glenn McCuen), the son of an advertising executive who’s frustrated with Billy’s lack of direction. Billy goofs around in Florida posting videos of his skills on the jet ski but not taking anything seriously. He’s spotted by a tow truck driver named Dog (Max Adler) who just happens to be the former partner of champion jet skier Jared Harper (Trevor Donovan). Seizing on a business opportunity that pretty much falls into his lap, Dog persuades Billy’s dad to have his new client, Grim Ripper hot sauce, sponsor Billy. Then Dog convinces the retired Jared to take “one last ride” and coach rising star Billy on the hot water tour.
With hunky, no nonsense Jared as the man in charge as Dog as his Zach Galifianakis-like sidekick, the crew hit the hot water tour that takes them from California to Myrtle Beach to Fort Lauderdale. Billy gradually learns to harness his thrill-seeking ways for more discipline on the water and romances rival jet skier and Jared’s former mentee, Kelly Weber (Nikki Leigh), who’s about to become the first woman to compete again the men. There are also the requisite bathroom jokes after Dog ingests too much Grim Ripper; a condom filled with foul-smelling pureed fish that’s tossed at the wrong target; and more than a few sports underdog cliches.
But for audiences seeking daredevil action sequences on the water and some lightweight highjacks on land, “Hot Water” is, in the motivational words of the Dog, “in it to win it.”
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