First, not every movie has to be great to be enjoyable. "This Means War" is a bit of a sloppy movie. The action editing is choppy and the story line is unbelievable — then again, what Hollywood movie is? But it was a fun escape for about an hour and 40 minutes. Check trailer:
The story is of two kick-butt CIA agents who are best friends, FDR and Tuck. FDR (Chris Pine) is a playboy; Tuck (Tom Hardy) is a divorced/separated dad trying to keep connected in his young son's life. Happens after a undercover operation that plays out like many spy movies before it with the baddest guy getting away, Tuck finds he's missing a love connection. So he decides to find the perfect girl, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), on an online dating site. Buddy FDR has his reservations about this date, and ends up at the nearby video store in case he needs to save his friend. Turns out Tuck and Lauren have a great first meeting, but Lauren ends up at the video store and meets a quite (stereotypically) annoying-but-cute guy, FDR. Alas, she finds herself dating two guys, but she doesn't know they are best buds. They, however, learn they like the same girl, and throw everything into winning her affection. It's a competition with rules and craziness. Totally unrealistic and predictable, but the ride was fun. Witherspoon is totally adorable as a woman who is decisive in her job, but not in her relationships. Pine has great blue eyes and charming, and Tom Hardy...well, I found him an odd choice, but I loved him in "Warrior." And I guess he did OK here, too. Add in some funny one-liners by Chelsea Handler, who plays Laurens totally inappropriate mom friend Trish, and it ends up being a decent date night movie. Side note: Loved that Chris Pine mentioned watching a "CHiPs" marathon. His dad, Robert Pine, played the sergeant to Ponch and Jon on that popular late 70s/early 80s show.
I don't plan on buying "This Means War," but I won't mind watching again when it plays on cable.
My grade: C+.
It's rated PG-13 for some sexual content including references, some violence and action, and for language. If by chance you take your kids, there are some fights scenes with lots of guns and explosions (they are CIA agents). One man falls to his death, two women are kidnapped, some sexy kissing (no nudity) takes place, drinking, and sex talk.
Cheers to date night.
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