When I initially saw the teaser trailer for this movie, I was mesmerized by two things. The first was that it was entitled Hot Tub Time Machine and the other is that it is a comedy in the 80′s and stars John Cusack, I mean how perfect is that match? Soon enough, tons of good news kept rolling in about this flick, like that it was written by the same team that made 2008′s Sex Drive, which is one the best comedies that nobody saw. Has the the team struck comedic gold once again? Or does Hot Tub Time Machine leave you all wet and well, stuck in the 80′s?
This movie is just plain ridiculous, and I mean that in the best imaginable.
The plot to Hot Tub Time Machine is both simple and well, incredibly stupid. Basically, three long time friends (Cusack, Corddry and the ever funny Craig Robinson) are monumentally bored with their current adult lives. Robinson works at a vet/dog groomers and dreams of the days of old when he was the lead singer of a well known band while Cusack is just down on his luck both in his personal life and his love life as he is going through a really ugly divorce. Rob Corddry’s character, Lou, is a miserable self-proclaimed asshole who pines for the glory days in the 80′s where the music was loud, the hair was big, and the girls were incredibly blonde. Clark Duke, the visual odd man out in the premise, is Cusack’s nephew who lives in the basement and plays Second Life all the live-long day. After an unfortunate and hilarious accident involving Lou and Motley Crue, the four of them take a road trip to a ski resort that was the prime party scene for the three buddies back in their youth. When they arrive to the resort, they find it to be a rundown ghost town, which makes them realize even more how pathetic and terrible their lives are. However, this is all changed when they party in their hotel room’s hot tub which is also a time machine that sends them all back to the 80′s. Like I said, its really, really, really dumb and probably one of the most original ideas to come out of Hollywood in a while.
YAY :
- Some of the gags in Hot Tub Time Machine (HTTM) border on legendary status. I dare not say anything else to ruin the comedic experience, but there is one in particular that involves a bathroom and a bet that will probably be replicated as a practical joke a million times on YouTube if this movie gets the audience that it deserves.
- This movie made me like Rob Corddry, who has been really unfunny and borderline repulsive in most of his other outings. Props to Sean Anders and company for writing a character that embodies the “asshole” in every group of friends to a T.
- Craig Robinson is the man and he delivers what is probably the best comedic performance of his career.
- The chemistry between all of the actors felt pretty genuine for the most part and keeps the movie fun throughout. Personally, I thought the “buddy” comedy in HTTM surpassed the Hangover mainly because (let’s be honest) Zach Galifinakis stole the show. In HTTM, everyone has their own focal points and gags that shine even though some of much better than others.
- Crispin Glover, further explanation would disrupt the time-space continuum.
NAY :
- Chevy Chase is completely wasted in the film which is really disappointing considering that his participation fits in perfectly for the plot and for the kind of comedy that is exuded throughout.
- Cusack’s storyline is a little bit creepy when you think about the age difference between him and another character. It works in the narrative but when leaving the theater, it will cause a bit of a cringe later on.
There you have it, Hot Tub Time Machine is a must see if you remotely enjoy laughing. Some people will probably say that the type of comedy depicted here is not for them and that is fine but you cannot deny that this film is just plain fun.
