Few characters are memorable enough to have gotten their own spin off- Tommy Lee Jones' 'Fugitive' hunter got 'US Marshalls', Jay & Silent Bob got to 'Strike Back', and even Steve Carell's less-than-memorable character from 'Bruce Almighty' got promoted with the equally less-than-memorable 'Evan Almighty'. Now British comedian Russell Brand attempts to fully make the leap to Hollywood with a spin off for his 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' rock star in 'Get Him To The Greek'. 

Aaron (Jonah Hill) is a young and ambitious record executive, desperate to get noticed by his tyrannical boss (P.Diddy/Diddy/Puff Daddy/whatever he's called this week). He sees his chance when he comes up with an idea- hold a tenth anniversary celebration gig for Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), a washed up, drug addled has been who offended the whole world with his last record, 'African Child'. Aaron's boss sets him a simple task- get Snow from London to LA's Greek theatre in time for the anniversary gig. Not as simple as it sounds, as Snow is intent on showing Aaron the time of his life along the way- whether he likes it or not.

Finally, a summer movie that doesn't disappoint! Very much in the vein of a Judd Apatow movie, but without the 'but seriously' moments that plagued last year's 'Funny People'. You know where it's going from the start, but it's just fun to be on this trip with these two and the full gamut of risque humour that these kind of movies are famous for. The odd serious moment is delivered without disturbing the pace too much, getting the funnies coming quickly afterwards. 

The danger with anything involving Brand is that he will be content to just be Brand- tight jeans, flailing arms and multi-syllable campness. However, it's a different approach here. Yes, there's still a strong essence of the real life man in there, but the sharp script reins him in and even gives him some presence on screen. What results is a hilarious lead, particularly when paired with Hill, who plays Aaron like the antithesis of his rock and roll counterpart. Less whiny than his recent roles, he's more of a straight man than anything else, but he has some great moments (particularly the 'Jeffrey' scene, where all actors concerned mesh together brilliantly). 'Diddy' is no standout, but plays a caricature of his public persona with some personality and plays it for laughs with enthusiasm, whilst Rose Byrne deserves an honourable mention for a brief but madcap supporting role as Snow's ex wife.

A side-splitting buddy road comedy that throws together two people working to their strengths, combined with a good script that keeps the laughs coming thick and fast. It's hard to see where Brand goes from here, but even if these two outings are his only successes, it proves his trip to Hollywood wasn't wasted.