Hot Tub Time Machine
Directed by: Steve Pink
Cast: John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, Clark Duke, Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover
Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: R
Release Date: March 26, 2010
PLOT: It's a hot tub. It's a time machine. A group of best friends escape to their favorite vacation spot ... a ski resort. After a crazy night of drinking they wake up in 1986, with a second chance ... and to kick some past.
WHO'S IT FOR? Do you like comedy? What about laughing? Hmm, I think this would do the trick then. It's stupid fun, that has its very immature moments, and earns its R rating.
EXPECTATIONS: It seemed like a movie that would dare call itself Hot Tub Time Machine would have pretty good self-awareness. If that was the case, I'd be in. Plus, who doesn't love John Cusack (from the 80s)?
SCORECARD (0-10)
ACTORS:
John Cusack as Adam: It's good to see Cusack, but unfortunately it ends there. There's a weird mix of him being the straight man in this comedy, but also not really being a part of the big jokes. It's almost like he's being used, because of his iconic 80s status (Say Anything, Better Off Dead). But then again, he's a producer on this film, so it seems like he is in on the joke. It's just odd because he's not really a part of the humor of the film. I actually can't remember his "funniest moment." Plus, his side romance had no hook for me at all. Score: 5
Craig Robinson as Nick: Robinson is just solid in any comedy. He was my favorite part in Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Once again, he's saddled with a controlling wife, but we don't really see that. Here, he's back in time with a chance to focus on his music career. He's the most self-aware of the comedy of time travel. Nick drops references to Time Cop, Terminator and sings a song from the future to the kids in the 80s. Score: 8
Rob Corddry as Lou: Man, this guy is an angry drunk. Not only that, Lou seems to have suicidal tendencies. I mean, at one point he declares, "If I killed myself, I'd be awesome at it." Considering those obstacles, it's surprising how many laughs Lou gets in this film. He also brings up films, but his are Butterfly Effect and Old Dogs. His energy seems to be the focus of this film. Score: 7
Clark Duke as Jacob: Jacob gets lots of good one-liners, it's good-natured sarcasm. They mainly come at the expense of the other guys. He's Adam's nephew, and goes along for the ride. He's also the only one who really wants to get back to the future since he didn't exist yet in 1986. Score: 7
Chevy Chase as Repair Man: This is a shame. He's a waste. Chase was huge in the 80s, but that was because he was funny. He's reduced to a nothing role, and one joke ... He refers to Jacob as a girl. That's it. Score: 3
Crispin Glover as Phil: Steals the show. The gimmick with Phil having one arm in the present and two arms in the past is simply great. It adds the only element of suspense to the film. It's like the opposite of Cusack's involvement. Glover got the laughs, and we're nostalgic for his George McFly. With Cusack, it's just nostalgic. It's a shame this can't qualify as a cameo (the part is too big), because I think he would have already wrapped up Best Cameo in 2010. Score: 9
TALKING: Rape isn't funny. I think that is something we can all agree on. Yet the line, "Are you raping?" coming from Glover, when the gang tackles him for information ... yeah, that's funny. Hot Tub is able to make gay jokes, but there's the line where they seem to be making fun of the idiots instead of homosexuals. It's a job well done. I could have used even more time travel jokes. Score: 7
SIGHTS: OK, why spend the money on that weird swirling hot tub and lighting at the end? It didn't need to happen. After all, the low-tech quality of the film is one of the treats. Plus, they do a great job with the 80s look. A lot of florescent colors on the mountain side. Score: 6
SOUNDS: You'll never guess, it's 80s music. Some feels done before, others are Plus, a pretty funny moment with the song "Hero." Score:
PLOT SPOILERS
BEST SCENE: "It must be some kind of ... hot tub time machine." Then after saying that, Nick looks directly into the camera. Simple and direct. Yeah, that's good stuff. Plus, it's too hard to pick my favorite Crispin Glover moment.
ENDING: It's amusing to see what Lou has done with everyone's lives, but it's not laugh-out-loud hilarious. Mötley Lou is a good idea, but it just didn't pack a punch.
QUESTIONS: Why are the guys able to fall off a cliff and not get hurt when they're first in 1986? I ask because all their other injuries seem to hurt a lot. I'm talking about Lou getting beat up continuously, and of course Adam getting stabbed in the eye.
REWATCHABILITY: Actually, I've already seen this film twice and it totally holds up. It's very watchable.
OVERALL
I just wanted to take a good trip. That's exactly what Hot Tub Time Machine does. Making fun of time travel gives plenty of easy moments for laughs. Yes, this film will be compared to The Hangover simply because it's a rated R comedy about a group of guys partying. There's one key difference for me. Zach Galifianakis vs. Rob Corddry. Both are funny, but Galifianakis has a sweet disposition to his humor in The Hangover. He's like a big, dumb kid. Corddry has an anger to him that may turn some off. Cusack's side plot of finding love simply wastes time and takes away from what this movie is good at. And what is Hot Tub good at, you ask? Squirrels who have been vomited on, a bear suit showing up and partying for no apparent reason, and of course, waiting to see when Crispin Glover will lose an arm.
FINAL SCORE: 7/10