Surprisingly, John Cusack and his over-the-top team of misfits develop a plot that is ridiculous, yet works in Hot Tub Time Machine.
Adam, played by John Cusack, is going through a rough time in his life.
He has distanced himself from his friends and his girlfriend has just left him.
Adam’s former best friend Lou (played by the always funny Rob Corddry) winds up in the hospital due to his own stupidity. In an effort to raise spirits, Adam rallies the old gang, along with his nephew (played by Clark Duke), together for a vacation at an old ski lodge where some of their best memories were made.
While Adam, Lou and Nick (played by Craig Robinson) are now way past their prime, they get a second chance to relive those fearless days of their youth.
Here is where the title Hot Tub Time Machine comes into play: while relaxing in the tub, the friends are suddenly transported to their ever so familiar past.
Legal disclaimer: do not try using your household hot tub as a time travel device.
Although some jokes fell flat, the group of friends, especially Corddry, drew laughs from the audience.
The gang of losers was likable and portrayed as a group of average guys who have come up short of their dreams.
Cusack, who also produced the film, was as convincing as in every role he plays, despite the hilarity and borderline ridiculousness of the movie.
Corddry showed off his comedic skills with a hilarious performance in his biggest role yet in a feature film.
Craig Robinson, who is best known as Darryl in The Office, is certainly beginning to make a name for himself in movies, rather than in just the hit series he stars on.
Finally, Clark Duke did a respectable job playing the stereotypical dorky guy who keeps everything in check, even though it seems like a comedic role that has been overused the past few years.
Though you need to use your imagination while seeing this film, the plot actually turned out to be halfway decent.
Somehow, someway, director Steve Pink tied some pieces of the puzzle together to form a storyline that maybe, kind of, almost made sense.
For that, I tip my cap to the cast and crew.
Additionally, throughout the latter half of the movie, I realized that there was a touch of deeper meaning and some life lessons buried underneath all of the profanity and humor.
As far as the negative sides of Hot Tub Time Machine, there weren’t enough to make the movie not worth seeing.
You are probably well aware of the movie’s title, and you’ve most likely seen the previews for it, so what would you expect besides comedy?
If you go to see this movie with the right expectations, you will definitely walk out of it with a wide grin on your face, as I did.
I think Hot Tub Time Machine has the potential to be one of those cult classics–you know, that movie that is forgotten by the general public over time, but always has a small and loyal following.
Then, when somebody mentions it, you go, “Oh yeah, I remember that one…Why was John Cusack in that?”
Go see Hot Tub Time Machine to relax, have a good time and laugh a lot.
Try not to get too dizzy and confused by the wild roller coaster ride of magical hot tubs and craziness of the ‘80s.