Wheelmen (2002)

Wheelmen was more enjoyable than I expected. The ensemble cast, while not stellar, is more than adequate and takes plenty of good turns with a workable, character-driven script. I certainly didn't like Wheelmen as much as One Fine Day, Guarding Tess, or even Big Trouble but it was almost on par with My Fellow Americans. The leading man and head limo driver carries the movie well while his ne'er-do-well brother gets in just enough hijinx then skates through. There is an intelligent and adorable moppet who needs a home and his social worker who becomes a love interest. Other entertaining characters include a former limo driver for Lenin, a perky token blonde, a respectable senior driver, a schlubby young driver, a klutzy putz of a driver, and the schmoozing company owner. The limo crew is hired to join the vice presidental entourage to drive decoy limos (or possibly drive the real one). Rainn Wilson plays a former federal agent who has uncovered a plot to kill the vice president; he needs the limo crew's protection from two beefy hitmen (as does their homeboy dispatcher) not to mention their help to save the veep. (Note: The bikini-clad woman on the poster art has nothing to do with the movie's cast or content. Wheelmen does, however, have an odd fantasy scene with a much hotter bikini-clad woman who slithers out of a swimming pool in the middle of nowhere.) Wheelmen is not a great movie but it's quite fun and enjoyable for what it is. (I rented this movie through a competing service since it has been out of stock on this service for many months -- then it became available for instant viewing the next day.) Enjoy! 3 stars. (8-23-10 posted 9-19-10)