Due Date: Movie Review

"Due Date" is the latest film from Todd Phillips - the man who brought us "The Hangover" and soon, "The Hangover 2". At the helm is Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis - two completely capable actors and comedians that can definitely bring "it" anytime they want to. No doubt, "Due Date" has got us giddy with excitement given its sweet-yet-weird cast and the past performances of its director. Right now, we can confidently predict that this looks like its going to be a great film. Read on to find out oif our initial feelings for "Due Date" are warranted after the jump.

Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) is on a business trip in Atlanta while his wife, Christine (Michelle Monaghan), is in Los Angeles and is due to have their first child in 5 days. All was going well for Peter until he bumps into Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis), an aspiring actor, in the airport. Ethan causes more havoc when the two meet again on the same plane and puts both of them in the no-fly list. Peter hesitantly decides to join the weird and quirky Ethan on a road trip to Los Angeles - as he has no choice given that he cannot travel by plane and he has lost his wallet containing all his money and ID. Can the two come into terms before it's too late for Peter?

"Due Date" completely delivers on its promises of laugh-out-loud comedy akin to "The Hangover" and "Pineapple Express" - those two films scored gold in our respective reviews and that says something. If you liked these films then you will feel completely at home with "Due Date". What sold "Due Date" for us is not the story but the interaction between Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. The pair is an odd-mix and yet they amazingly gelled together well. Props though to Zach as he was the better comedian in this one. It's not that Downey Jr. was bad but Zach was just that good. What we hated about "Due Date" though is the story. The plot was dumbed-down and some elements feel forced and unnecessary (especially the second half of the film). It seems such a waste of pure and raw talent knowing that the whole film was built on a flimsy structure. Ending this review, what "Due Date" lacks in substance it completely compensates with non-stop witty dialogue and hilarious scenes. Still, after all the laughing and cheering ends, we just wish it had given more depth.

Rating: 3 and a half reels





Why you should watch it:
- the tandem of Downey Jr. and Galifianakis sold the film to us
- witty lines delivered perfectly with skill

Why you shouldn't watch it:
- talent was wasted with a dumbed-down plot and we completely miss having more depth in our film (yes, even with comedies)