King’s Ransom

The wordplay of the title here is the only slightly clever element of this extremely lame comedy. Chicago corporate chief executive officer and total chauvinist jerk Malcolm King (Kangaroo Jack’s Anthony Anderson) is hated by his wife (who is suing him for divorce) and his employees. News that local child kidnappers have received a huge ransom payment sets off no fewer than three separate but colliding conspiracies in which King is to be snatched and held hostage for money as well as revenge. An exotic dancer gets promoted to company vice president, a mean-looking parolee doubles as kidnapper and sexual predator, and Boneagra (with its “Straighten Up!” mantra) replaces Viagra as the sexual aide du jour—all in the name of crude entertainment. Directed by Jeff Byrd.