Melissa McCarthy throat-punches Jason Bateman in rowdy 'Identity Thief' trailer: Watch

Melissa McCarthy plays the titular outlaw in director Seth Gordon's "Identity Thief."

Credit: Universal Pictures

"Look at her, she's like a Hobbit," says Jason Bateman of Melissa McCarthy's character in the first trailer for Universal's upcoming comedy "Identity Thief." "I can handle her...I'm going after Bilbo."

Unfortunately for Bateman's foolhardy  would-be enforcer - a Denver man who decides to take matters into his own hands after his identity is stolen by McCarthy's seasoned criminal mastermind - the permed, purple eyeshadow-slathered "Hobbit" he speaks of isn't going down without a fight. And boy, does it get ugly.

McCarthy scores several major laughs in the hilarious new spot, which boasts a furious montage of kicking, car-crashing, throat-punching (twice!) and other general mayhem as Bateman's character attempts to bring the ferocious credit card-swiper to justice. Directed by Seth Gordon ("Horrible Bosses") and co-starring Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau, Morris Chestnut, Jon Cho, Genesis Rodriguez and T.I. (among others), the trailer is highly effective in establishing the film's simple premise before letting the head-cracking action-comedy hijinks fly.

But don't take my word for it - watch the trailer for yourself and then give it a letter grade at top left. My rating: A-.

"Identity Thief" hits theaters on February 8.

Chris Eggertsen
Producer

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A former contributor to sites including Bloody-Disgusting and AfterElton, Eggertsen enjoys rock music, rainy days and smelling the pages of old books. You should read all of his articles and follow him on Twitter because it's the right thing to do.