HOT ROD — ** 1/2 — Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane; rated PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief drugs, slurs, brief gore, nude art)

If it had been made five years ago, "Hot Rod" probably would have starred Will Ferrell. Or 10 years ago, it would have been an Adam Sandler vehicle.

But today it serves as a launching pad for Andy Samberg, who like Ferrell and Sandler before him, has used television's "Saturday Night Live" to start a movie career.

And this lovable-loser comedy definitely bears a strong resemblance to Ferrell and Sandler's early films, though thankfully it's neither as crude as some of Ferrell's nor as mean-spirited as most of Sandler's.

"Hot Rod" is pretty dumb, and a good half of its gags fall flat — but homages to cheesy '80s cinema and television are worth a couple of chuckles, such as references to "Flashdance," "Manimal" and "Footloose."

Samberg stars as the title character, a would-be stuntman named Rod Kimble. Rod has tried — unsuccessfully — to make a series of jumps on his moped. And yet he's now planning an even bigger stunt — where he'll jump 15 school buses. The jump is supposed to help raise the funds for his tough-as-nails stepfather's heart-transplant surgery.

As you can probably tell from the trailers, most of the film consists of slapstick-style vehicle crashes and pratfalls. And director Akiva Schaffer (another "Saturday Night Live" contributor) lets a few skits/scenes run on a little too long.

But Samberg is likable, and he works well with veterans Sissy Spacek and Ian McShane, who play his mother and stepfather.

In support, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader and Danny R. McBride are amusing as Rod's "team." And Isla Fisher is sweet as his prospective love interest — even if she shows little of her "Wedding Crashers" tartness. The usually amusing Will Arnett is a bit off as her jerk boyfriend, though.

"Hot Rod" is rated PG-13 for comic violence (brawling, pratfalls, explosive and vehicular mayhem), occasional strong profanity (including one use of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), some crude sexual humor (sight gags and references), brief drug content (LSD use and references), slurs based on sexual preference, brief gore, and glimpses of nude art (a tattoo). Running time: 88 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com