A comedy featuring two of Hollywood‘s biggest names has been hailed as a “very dumb but absolutely hilarious” viewing experience, and it’s airing on Channel 4 this evening. Central Intelligence, first released in 2016, brings together Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart in a comedic partnership that delivers plenty of laughs.

The plot revolves around Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson), formerly tormented at school for his weight, who returns to his high school reunion transformed into a muscular powerhouse. At the reunion, he reconnects with Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart), a quick-witted accountant yearning for his former glory days as a celebrated sportsman.

Stone, now a deadly CIA operative, requires Calvin’s mathematical expertise to rescue a compromised American spy satellite network. The unlikely duo navigate gunfights, covert operations and betrayals as they attempt to avert global catastrophe.

The picture proved commercially successful, raking in roughly $217 million (approximately £175 million) globally against a production budget of $50 million (about £39.3 million), according to IMDb (International Movie Database), though critical reception has been somewhat divided.

On the fan review platform Rotten Tomatoes, some viewers continue to champion it as quality entertainment, with one assessment noting: “Central Intelligence isn’t going to be on anyone’s list of the best films of the year, but it is definitely a good way to spend a lazy night – especially if you want to laugh.”

Another viewer, as reported by The Mirror, enthused: “Central Intelligence stars Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart and is about them teaming up to save the world. I’d like to say that I had zero expectations going into this but was still looking forward to it. This movie is hilarious! The Rock and Kevin Hart are fantastic together and have some of the funniest jokes I’ve heard all year. Watching them both on screen is the best part of this movie and it was extremely funny.”

A third remarked: “One of the greatest buddy action comedies ever. Hart and Johnson are great together. Bateman’s cameo is hilarious. Would love to see a sequel.”

Another commented: “This film has a very unoriginal plot and some pretty corny dialogue, but it also has tons of action, over-the-top comedy, a terrific cast, and plenty of good twists and turns that make this a heavily funny watch.”

A fifth noted: “Not amazing, not terrible. Got a couple good laughs out of me.” Yet not everyone was impressed, with one viewer writing: “Dumb. Was there a plot? And dumbest ending ever.”

Another observed: “Some scenes are funny. But it’s a totally bad and poorly edited movie.” A further critic stated: “While it has decent action, the humor kind of falls flat for me. This is really just one of those films that you can watch and have a good time but once it’s over you end up just forgetting about it immediately.”

Central Intelligence airs on Channel 4 on Friday 16 January at 11.05pm.