Nothing smart in Central Intelligence

DWAYNE Johnson has come a long way since his days as professional wrestler The Rock, but he still spends months at a time in the gym and boasts more muscle definition in his little finger than most of us have on our entire bodies.

Now that he has parlayed his imposing physique and charismatic ring presence into a screen career encompassing rotating roles as mythic warrior, action hero, federal agent, all-around nice guy and now, buddy-flick comedy star - usually in shirts several sizes too small for his biceps - Johnson can also claim to be the highly-paid face of a slew of box-office blockbusters.

Unfortunately, his latest film Central Intelligence is also pretty dumb. With comedian Kevin Hart playing the reluctant buddy/foil as a former high school classmate who is dragged into a web of international espionage, the film is standard summer fare, directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and written by Thurber, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, that simply calls for Johnson to what casting directors have called upon him to do many times before.