Hot Tub Time Machine Screening

If you haven’t seen the trailer for this movie, check it now: http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/hottubtimemachine/.

Giant pin and koozie given out at the screening

Ever since I saw the teaser a while back, I have been looking forward to this movie. As a child of the 80s I remember the lure of rated-R comedies. They seem to be having resurgence in popularity and I am hoping this movie continues the trend. If you are a fan of 80s movies or even love 80s popular culture, you are going to get much more from this movie. There are references GALORE to other movies, trends, etc. There were several times I saw something I owned or wore, and it would make me cringe as I do when anything 80s becomes trendy again.

The movie begins with Lou (Rob Corddry) getting into an accident that propels the group to return to a ski resort where they hit their peak in their youth. Along for the ride are the core friends: Adam (John Cusack), Lou, Nick (Craig Robinson) and Jacob (Clark Duke), the nephew of Adam (John Cusack) and the biggest geek of the bunch.

They get to the ski resort to find it is way past its prime and the guys have nothing to do until they come across the hot tub in the title. After a wild 4-man hot tub party, they find themselves in 1986. Of course, they don’t realize it right away, but the hints are hilarious. Chevy Chase steps in as some sort of hot tub repairman/time traveler wise man and honestly I did not like his character. I felt he wasn’t needed and didn’t bring anything to the movie beyond confusion. In comparison, Crispin Glover has probably the best continuing gag of the whole movie. I can’t spoil it, as it is so funny I want to see the movie again to watch his saga. I also found his presence to be a nice reminiscence to Back to the Future. The guys realize they can make changes in their past and despite warnings and attempts to keep things straight, end up doing whatever the hell they want.

Rob Corddry absolutely steals the movie with his character Lou. He is raunchy, repulsive, and ridiculous yet you want him to be the hero he never was. Poor Craig Robinson has the job of being the whipped man of the bunch. When he finally decides to take things into his own hands, he ends up jumping on stage to be the performer he never was and even takes a cue from Marty McFly. John Cusack is about what you expect, playing pretty much the same type of character he always has. His Adam has sabotaged himself all his life and this is his chance to break out of his shell and refuse to let his life be pre-determined. Clark Duke is so great as the only one not reliving his past. From his Second Life character to his constant reference to things (email, texting) that didn’t exist in the 80s, he is the sane man that no one listens to and yet there is purpose to his being there. You’ll see.

This movie is flat out funny. From the typical 80s bad guy to the fact that every gag just works, I loved it. Who thought we’d ever see John Cusack smoking a bong and eating mushrooms? Hell, who thought Rob Corddry would ever find a movie that worked so perfectly for him?

There are a few annoyances. Twice there are things mentioned by the 3 friends that are just never explained. Even Jacob asks what they mean and they never tell him. It’s almost like they had scenes to explain them and then just left them out. Which drove me a bit crazy. Chevy Chase should’ve been cut from the movie. The squirrel and strange man in bear suit are odd. If you are expecting a deep movie with sharp insights, you should avoid this movie. However, if you too enjoy a great adult comedy and can handle gross moments (there are a few), you’ll love this movie.

Keep an eye out for the cameo by William Zabka (Johnny in Karate Kid), my husband didn’t even notice until I pointed him out. And make sure you stay with the credits because it might have been one of the funnier gags. I was crying from laughing so hard.