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| Courtesy of Relativity |
On
the surface, nothing about 21 & Over suggests it’s an entertaining movie.
The basic premise describes a drunken comedy viewers have seen a million times
before, and every scene plays out almost exactly as expected. So why did I
leave the theater with a big smile on my face? Simple – the fun is in watching
a talented cast execute the material in a way that makes them seem endearing
rather than despicable.
Miller
(Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin) are best friends beginning to drift
apart as college takes them down separate paths. They manage to get together
again, maybe for the last time, to celebrate the 21st birthday of Jeff Chang
(Justin Chon), the other member of their trio. The problem is they show up
unannounced the night before a crucial medical school interview arranged by
Jeff’s intimidating father (Francois Chau).
The
pals promise to have him back home after a single drink, but that plan
immediately goes out the window. One beer turns into a drunken bar-hopping
adventure that leaves Jeff practically comatose while Miller and Casey attempt
to get him back home and ready for his big interview.
If 21 & Over sounds familiar to The Hangover, there’s a reason.
Screenwriters and first-time directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore co-wrote the
first entry in the comedy franchise that made superstars out of Bradley Cooper
and Zach Galifianakis. They simply apply the same “appalling-yet-affable bros
out to solve a mystery” formula to a younger set of characters. The flick
could’ve easily served as a Hangover prequel just by changing the decade and
a few names.
Yes,
it sounds incredibly lazy. But the filmmakers pull it off thanks to a script with
a surprising amount of heart, as well as some solid actors. Teller (terrific in
2011’s Footloose remake) and Astin (fresh off a winning supporting role in Pitch Perfect) are an engaging comedic duo, playing up the crazy guy/straight
man dynamic in clever ways.
Chang
proves adept at physical gags, which is nice considering he doesn’t get to talk
much. Sarah Wright, playing a potential love interest for Casey, is funny as
well; she matches the guys’ raunchiness joke-for-joke.
21
& Over won’t make any Best of 2013 lists, but it’s a funny, enjoyable time
at the theater as long as you’re a fan of the genre. Just be aware of what
you’re getting into before you buy a ticket.
21 & Over is rated
R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, some graphic nudity, drugs
and drinking.
Grade:
B-
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