Hot Tub Time Machine

Buddy movies have been around for a while, but perhaps Judd Apatow is responsible for their revival. Other writers soon wised up, and a new generation of buddy movies was born. However, there can be too much of a good thing. The latest movie to jump on the buddy bandwagon is Hot Tub Time Machine. Directed by Steve Pink who co-wroteGross Pointe Blank and High Fidelity, it's little wonder John Cusack stars in this comical sci-fi movie.

The story is about three estranged friends who reunite after one of them attempts suicide. Adam (Cusack) is an insurance salesman whose girlfriend just moved out, his underachieving gamer nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) lives in the basement; Nick (Craig Robinson) works in a novelty dog parlour and is married to a controlling wife; and Lou (Rob Corddry), an abrasive divorced alcoholic. The three friends are tired of their adult lives, and decide to go to Kodiak Valley, a ski resort responsible for some of their happiest times. Jacob comes along too. Kodiak Valley is not what is was though; in fact it's a total dump now. There is however a hot tub outside their room, and on their first night the four guys decide to do some male bonding by getting very drunk in the tub. They wake up to discover it's the year 1986, and decide they must be careful not to do anything different for fear they change the course of history. This means Adam must dump his girlfriend of the time and get stabbed with a fork, Nick must have sex and Lou must get beaten up. Jacob, who hadn't yet been born, flickers in and out of real time, suggesting his conception is at risk.

As in all buddy movies, the women are vapid bimbos and/or sluts, and secondary characters to the men. Also in all buddy movies, there's one girl who's different to the stereotype; quirky, fun, clever, sarcastic. The exception in this case is Adam's love interest April (Lizzy Caplan), who pursues Adam and tries to bring him out of his shell.

As per usual, the friends fight with each other, face moral issues regarding their friendships and are stronger than ever by the end.

Hot Tub Time Machine is nothing new in terms of characters and relies on second-hand jokes, vulgarity and general political incorrectness for sources of humour. The plot isn't even original, as it's definitely not the first time we've seen time travel from a comedic angle (Back to the Future, anyone?), so fingers crossed there's no sequel. It uses the same tried and tested formulae of the Apatow movies to deliver a lewd, gross-out film that's mostly devoid of substance. There are a few genuine laughs, but they're not enough to make up for all the nonsense.

Sean Anders is also responsible for the abysmal Sex Drive, so it's no coincidence that HTTM translates an older version of it. I'm quite disappointed in Cusack, but I suppose it's a sign of the times that he's reduced to starring in movies like these to earn his keep. Perhaps I'm not the target audience for this movie, I might even be the antithesis, and I'm sure others really enjoyed it. But I can't shake off how familiar this movie felt, or how many times I've seen similar characters before.

If you want to see a buddy movie that's not full of wasters or teenagers looking to lose their virginity, watch The Hangover, as it's genuinely funny and has a lot of heart. Watch Hot Tub Time Machine if you want, but bear in mind you'll never get that hour and forty minutes back again.

L McDermott http://www.prog464.com Welcome to PROG464, Ireland's new webzine of news, views and reviews on all things Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror and Cult. We bring you the best in books, comics, graphic novels, movies, TV, radio, games, toys, technology and the web - and From classic novels to the latest games we have it all." Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L_McDermott