Hot Tub Time Machine

With a movie called Hot Tub Time Machine I think you know what to expect (though hopefully you're not going in expecting freaking Moliere). The plot, such that it is, revolves around three friends (and a nephew) who go back to their favorite ski lodge which has become a rathole. They're all at various low points of their lives, but through the magic of a special hot tub and russian red bull they're whisked back to 1986 and a weekend that ended up being pivotal in all of their lives. Of course there are the typical 'weren't the eighties crazy' and 'back to the future-esque' time travel jokes, and if that's all there was this film wouldn't be more than an intermittently entertaining and derivative farce. However it has two aspects that elevate it past the 'Not Another Teen Movie Level.'

First, even though it has the aforementioned elements (as well as some 80's ski comedy satire, which was already completely done to perfection by South Park in the seminal Asspen episode) it manages to throw in some nice touches to differentiate them from the typical time travel comedy (a long and distinguished genre to be sure). For example in the inevitable scene where one of the guys has to perform with his band (a la back to the future) they pick a song from the future that isn't exactly considered a classic, and actually kind of sucks (its from those masters of commercial jingles the Black Eyed Peas). Also there's a running gag in the film about them anxiously awaiting to see how a bellman, played by Crispin Glover, loses his arm, which actually pays off nicely.

Second, the film is able to generate most of its humor from the interaction of its leads. They have a nice affable chemistry (and in the case of Rob Coddry the mix is somewhat psychotic - in a good way), and the film throws in some subtle touches like unexplained inside jokes (The Great White Buffalo) and references to past experiences (what did happen in Cincinnati that must never be spoken of again?) that only they understand. This grounds it in some sense of 'reality' (as real as a movie featuring a time traveling tub of water, and magical squirrel can be) and gives you some the feeling that these characters could conceivably be friends in 'real life' (unlike The Hangover where I'm not sure any of those guys would ever be in the same room together).

Overall its not a 'great' film, but a loaded cast and easy tone make for a satisfying couple of hours (must refrain from saying 'that's what she said') . Also it features only a little more racism than The Blind Side so there you go (Note: I have not actually seen The Blind Side as I really enjoyed the book and have no desire to see it gutted, but thats not stopping me from making ill founded generalizations).