Some movie titles are lame and some really catch your attention and make you say, “hey, I have to see that,” even if you know it could be bad.
And there was something about the title of this movie and made me say, “oh no, I know I’m going to see this.”
Especially when it was called a mix of Back to the Future and the Hangover, two of my favorite movies. And A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips gave it a good review too, so that just sealed the fact that I had to see it. So I unconsciously walked into the AMC theater and bought a ticket.
Movie: Hot Tub Time Machine
Rating: R
Release date: Mach 26, 2010
Everyday Adventures’ grade: C+
Summary: The title really says it all. But to break it down more, three friends (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson) and a nephew (Clark Duke) go back in time, thanks to a hot tub, to 1986, where they have a chance to relive a key weekend that shaped their adult lives.
My thoughts: God I really wanted to love this movie. Especially after the good reviews I read ahead of time. And really, this wasn’t awful, but I just though it would be…funnier. Sure, I laughed and cringed at some gross out scenes (scenes with bathroom soap and a catheter made me cringe) but when you boil it down, it’s all about dick jokes and saying, “f*ck” as many times as possible in a sentence.
I mean, I love the word “f*ck,” but not when it’s overused just to show it’s a raunchy, dirty movie. I also love the 80s. I love 80s music and movies and the flahsback stuff was funny, mocking music and how clothes were back then, but while the movie was partially set in the 80s, it wasn’t really about it. Sure, there are great cameos by 80s character actors, Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and William Zabka from the Karate Kid, but something just falls flat. Again, I go back to the constant d*ck jokes. At least when those are in Seth Rogen or Judd Apatow movies, they’re funny, having to watch Rob Corddry nearly give Craig Robinson a blow job…isn’t.
I love John Cusack but he channels Lloyd Dobler yet again here and doesn’t seem to ever find a long coat or aviator hat he doesn’t love. Okay. Rob Corddry is actually pretty funny here and the most outlandish of the group and it’s nice to finally see Craig Robinson do more than he’s allowed on The Office. To me, the best in the group was Clark Duke, playing Cusack’s nephew. He’s a mix of Michael Cera and Jonah Hill but much more adorable. Let’s hope he doesn’t fall into the typcast both of the other actors have to date.
My recommendation: rent it. And stay out of the hot tub :)
