Film Reviews : Due Date

THE HANGOVER was possibly one of the funniest comedies of last year. In fact, the film was probably one of the best comedies of the first ten years of the 21st century; it certainly was one of the most successful, raking in a whopping $277.3 million in North America alone, and that from a budget of around $35 million. Director Todd Phillips could have his pick of any screenplay in Hollywood, and whilst already agreeing to do a sequel to THE HANGOVER for Warner Brothers, DUE DATE, which opens in cinemas in the UK and the US on November 5th, was the project that he chose to do next, sandwiched right between Hangover flicks.
It’s always difficult to follow up such a successful movie with a film both critics and fans will equally love, and at the same time rake in some major coin for your studio backer. DUE DATE was always going to be that film for Todd Phillips. That difficult second movie – the one that you HAVE to do after you have a major success, but the one that you fear the most as public anticipation and expecation will be, very, very high.
Before I continue, I just want to fill you in with how I felt about his previous efforts.
I absolutely LOVED last year’s THE HANGOVER. Just about every piece of the puzzle fitted; great cast, great script, great pace, right length, laugh out loud hilarious and worthy of repeat viewings. Before that came along, I was head over heels for OLD SCHOOL, a movie that my friends and I would throw on after a heavy drinking session, and on one occasion after watching (randomly) the STAR WARS trilogy (the better one; the only one) on a boozy Sunday. It’s such an easy watch with jokes that never, ever tire, something that it also has in common with THE HANGOVER. I enjoyed STARSKY AND HUTCH, and although not enjoying it as much as the two aforementioned movies, thought it was a different, and very brave approach to remaking such an iconic TV series. And then there’s ROAD TRIP, seen as almost an AMERICAN PIE rip off from the tail end of the 1990′s, that did actually bring something else to the table, albeit gaining an audience wanting more from Universal’s hugely successful franchise. I guess you could say that I am a fan of Todd Phillips. So, what about DUE DATE?

I saw the movie just this very evening in a very, very busy auditorium in a very, very busy Leicester Square as Danny Boyle‘s 127 HOURS played out this year’s London Film Festival. Crowds amassed earlier on in the evening for a glimpse of perhaps one of the UK’s most successful modern filmmakers, hot off the Oscar success of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Or were they there to see James Franco? Anyway, just across the way, a couple of hundred hardened film critics were waiting for a late evening first showing of DUE DATE. Firstly, I think that the best way to watch a movie like this, is to watch it with its intended audience – that way you can guage reaction to the funny set pieces, the dirty gross out bits and the emotional parts – if any. A film critic filled audience watching the film at one of the very first UK screenings is possibly not that place, as they will be analysing the film, but to be honest, tonight it felt like everyone was there for a great time, and just a couple of minutes into the film, Phillips had us once again, just like he did a year ago.
The biggest asset that THE HANGOVER had was Zach Galifianakis, and his character Alan Garner. We can all agree on that.  Let’s face facts; the film would not be half as good without him, and his spot-on pitch perfect performance. Just like Will Ferrell’s Frank The Tank in OLD SCHOOL; it was their performances that helped make the movie work so well. In DUE DATE, it’s down to Galifianakis once again. His character of Ethan Trembley is very similar to that of Alan in THE HANGOVER. His childlike manner, way of being and ‘social issues’  are almost identical, and Galifianakis plays him very similar to his last role, but this time amps it up just a notch to create someone who I would go as far to say is a MORE entertaining character to watch on screen, and that says a lot. Tremblay is funnyman to Robert Downey Jr’s straight man, and the chemistry between the two works very well. It has to, as the whole movie is indeed resting on their shoulders. Downey Jr. is, as always, excellent, but this isn’t his movie. We’re here to see Galifianakis.
I always try and judge a comedy with how many times I laugh out loud uncontrollably, and to be honest it happens once or twice in a decent funny flick. Sitting here writing this review, I can think of three stand out scenes off of the top of my head, and I am smiling to myself even now recollecting them. From the masterbating dog, and indeed Tremblay’s own ‘special’ way of getting to sleep, to the opening scene on the airplane and the spaced out drug fuelled escape from Mexico (I thought it said Texaco -We’re low on gas), there are some great moments too enjoyable for you not to watch for the first time knowing what happens and definitely not for a reviewer to spoil for you.
The film is laced with the fast becoming Phillips trademark on-screen cameos. Phillips himself turns up in a slighly longer appearance than usual, as does Phillips alumni Julliette Lewis, Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan and even Danny McBride and the Wu Tang Clan’s RZA. All put in solid, but very brief spots.
To sum it up and try to answer that obvious question – is it better than THE HANGOVER. Well, despite me believing that Galifianakis really nails it here, and that I enjoyed watching him more than I did in THE HANGOVER, I will have to say no. THE HANGOVER‘s story is slightly more slick, the ensemble cast is stronger and the pace slightly better, but that’s not to sat DUE DATE isn’t any of that. To replicate the success, the joy and surprise of THE HANGOVER is  a very big ask, and DUE DATE does fall short, but I had a great time watching the movie, and I haven’t laughed this much for a good while.
You’ll have a great time at the movies if you choose to watch DUE DATE come release day, and I for one highly recommend it.
Grade: B+
DUE DATE is released in cinemas on November 5th, 2010.
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