Film: Due Date
Starring: Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), and Jamie Foxx (Ray and The Soloist)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated R)
Director: Todd Phillips (The Hangover and Road Trip)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 100 Minutes
Over the past decade Todd Phillips has made quite the name for himself. Directing instant comedy classics like Old school and The Hangover will do that to a person. With his latest work, Due Date, Phillips certainly keeps his hot streak going. The film is a hybrid mix of The Hangover meets Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, therefore once again, the director's sure to have a winner on his hands.
Peter Highman (Downey Jr ... and yes, that is his character's last name) is on the other side of the United States while his pregnant wife patiently awaits his return home. Mrs. Highman has a C Section scheduled in a few days, and Peter must make it back in time to see the birth of his first child. While an unfortunate series of events occur at the hands of Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), Peter's only chance of making it to Los Angeles in time for the procedure is by taking a good old fashion road trip. Ethan and Peter embark on a journey that neither one of them could have ever imagined.
Due Date is filled with countless laugh out loud scenes. The chemistry between Downey Jr and Galifianakis is great and they play their roles well. The film is sure to draw a ton of comparisons to The Hangover, mainly because Galifianakis plays a very similar role. However, in Due Date, there's a lot more of him to see. And Downey Jr, who has a history of being a successful comedic actor, does a great job complementing Galifianakis. In one scene, Downey Jr's character sternly proclaims to officers at the border, "I have never done a drug in my entire life". How could you not see the humor in that?
Despite the constant laughs, Due Date is nowhere near a flawless movie. Occasionally throughout the film, as a viewer you get the feeling that some of these jokes have been recycled. Also, there are numerous instances where what transpires is completely out of the realm of possibility. Due Date may ultimately end up a very polarizing movie. I'd recommend the movie to anyone who fits two criteria. First, are you a fan of Galifianakis (especially his role in last summer's The Hangover)? And second, are you able to suspend your belief and accept the movie for what it is, a screwball comedy? If you answered yes to both, then don't waste any time getting to the theatres this opening weekend to see it. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
Stars: 2.5 out of 4.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes), Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), and Jamie Foxx (Ray and The Soloist)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated R)
Director: Todd Phillips (The Hangover and Road Trip)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 100 Minutes
Over the past decade Todd Phillips has made quite the name for himself. Directing instant comedy classics like Old school and The Hangover will do that to a person. With his latest work, Due Date, Phillips certainly keeps his hot streak going. The film is a hybrid mix of The Hangover meets Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, therefore once again, the director's sure to have a winner on his hands.
Peter Highman (Downey Jr ... and yes, that is his character's last name) is on the other side of the United States while his pregnant wife patiently awaits his return home. Mrs. Highman has a C Section scheduled in a few days, and Peter must make it back in time to see the birth of his first child. While an unfortunate series of events occur at the hands of Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), Peter's only chance of making it to Los Angeles in time for the procedure is by taking a good old fashion road trip. Ethan and Peter embark on a journey that neither one of them could have ever imagined.
Due Date is filled with countless laugh out loud scenes. The chemistry between Downey Jr and Galifianakis is great and they play their roles well. The film is sure to draw a ton of comparisons to The Hangover, mainly because Galifianakis plays a very similar role. However, in Due Date, there's a lot more of him to see. And Downey Jr, who has a history of being a successful comedic actor, does a great job complementing Galifianakis. In one scene, Downey Jr's character sternly proclaims to officers at the border, "I have never done a drug in my entire life". How could you not see the humor in that?
Despite the constant laughs, Due Date is nowhere near a flawless movie. Occasionally throughout the film, as a viewer you get the feeling that some of these jokes have been recycled. Also, there are numerous instances where what transpires is completely out of the realm of possibility. Due Date may ultimately end up a very polarizing movie. I'd recommend the movie to anyone who fits two criteria. First, are you a fan of Galifianakis (especially his role in last summer's The Hangover)? And second, are you able to suspend your belief and accept the movie for what it is, a screwball comedy? If you answered yes to both, then don't waste any time getting to the theatres this opening weekend to see it. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
Stars: 2.5 out of 4.
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