REVIEW: 'This Means War'
3 stars
Two top CIA operatives (Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) wage an epic battle of the heart after they discover they're dating the same woman (Reese Witherspoon) in this action-comedy from director McG (Terminator Salvation, Charlie's Angels). Now playing nationwide, click for movie times and trailer.
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The trailer doesn’t do this film justice. Condensing the plot only shows how ridiculous the story is. What it hints at is the three leads’ sizzling chemistry, its generous smattering of laugh-out-loud moments and its big, camp production values. This Means War is a sexy crowd-pleaser for both genders. It may just be this year’s Mr and Mrs Smith.
Okay, girls may warm to this a little more. Tuck (Tom Hardy, Inception), is so hot he practically burns the celluloid. Chris Pine as his suave best mate is also easy on the eye, as is a gym-toned Reese Witherspoon as Lauren, a headstrong career woman with no idea she’s dating two spies. Her role calls to mind TV’s The Bachelorette, only occasionally starring a 16-year-old who gets tongue-tied around her engaged ex-boyfriend.
Yup, the queen of romantic comedy is happy to indulge in a little cinematic cheese: she eats “sushi for one”, dances around to ‘90s pop while making popcorn and falls victim to her suitors’ target, Hollywood’s favourite criminal, a shadowy Eastern European.
Cheering Lauren from the domestic sidelines is her best mate Trish, played by a hilariously self-deprecating Chelsea Handler, in a performance that will no doubt attract other film offers. Many of her one-liners – “You get out there! You get flexible!” – were improvised.
The guys should warm to the humiliating one-upmanship of a soured bromance but may not be moved by McG’s chaotic and confusing fight scenes, and his violently edited, music-video style of directing. A scuffle in a packed restaurant finishes in a bizarrely empty room.
But if you’re going to shield your eyes from its silly flaws you’ll miss all the fun. And Tom Hardy.
