A paramedic on his last shift must train his replacement, but the night is anything from ordinary as mayhem, absurdity, and hijinks ensue through a heartfelt odyssey of life and emergencies.
The best kinds of comedies are the kind that endear you first. If you don’t care about the characters, nothing any of them do is going to be funny. I think this is something a lot of modern comedies tend to forget. CODE 3 didn’t, though. From the moment we’re introduced to the film, we’re given plenty of reasons to care, from well developed characters to a plotline that really resonates, CODE 3 never fails to hit close to home, and it’s through this heartfelt and nuanced action story that the comedic angle really shines. Things that would otherwise be considered annoying or unfunny are turned into cute and laugh inducing quirks, and it’s all told through a powerful setting via some of the world’s most important frontline workers; our paramedics.
Christopher Leone, directing from a script by himself and Patrick Pianezza, does good work here. His style is unique and his vision is clear, and it’s obvious how much he loved the story he was telling. CODE 3 isn’t just a film, it feels like we’re along for the ride with these paramedics through the wild ups and downs they experience, and this intimate stylization brings us even closer to the characters and plot so that, by the time it’s over, we don’t just feel like we’ve watched them go about their day, we’ve lived alongside them. For every moment of humor, were also given endearing moments that make you feel for these characters, and it’s in this attention to detail that CODE 3 stands out as a truly fun time.
It’s also largely thanks to Rainn Wilson and Lil Rel Howery. Playing the duality of dichotomy in the most comedic style imaginable, these two obviously took a few plays out of the Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor handbook, without straight up copying, and it works surprisingly well. Their timing with one another is almost as spectacular as their adorable friendship chemistry, and I genuinely loved both of them, for all their flaws and quirks. Backed up by a wonderful supporting performance from Aimee Carrero, the main cast of characters are fully realized and fleshed out, and it’s refreshing to see a female character presence that isn’t completely flat. Plus we get a visit from Rob Riggle, which, love him or hate him, he’s always going to get a laugh out of you.
Something that really struck me as fantastic in CODE 3 was the set design. The production design by Jace Ford and set decoration by Marisa Collins is really immersive and well done. Maximilian Eberle’s composure work is fitting and unobtrusive, as well, adding a layer of immersion and heart to the story. And the cinematography by Mark Williams is remarkable, too. The coloration is deep and stylish and makes great use of the ambulance lighting, especially during night sequences.
While CODE 3 isn’t the funniest film in the world, it’s definitely an enjoyable and endearing story that’ll give you a hefty dose of laughs and smiles while also showing us a glimpse into the crazy life of being a paramedic.
Could you please submit this to Rotten Tomatoes :)
Unfortunately, Nikki is not RT approved.