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).
"The world's deadliest CIA operatives are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman. Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis ever – each other." (Official Synopsis)
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.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
A light,very light fun movie.It is not to be taken seriously.It does work in an odd sort of way.The non believable chase and fight scenes all add to the fun.You never know who Lauren is going to choose until the very end but it all works out fine for everyone. It is also a bit of a chick flick which adds to the appeal for the female audience.
Okay, I'll admit it - the epicness of Chris Pine and Tom Hardy was the initial lure to this film for me. The chemistry between the pair was fabulous to watch, alongside Reese Witherspoon being her usual charming self. The plot may have been somewhat of a typical rom-com - not usually my thing - but these actors definitely gave the film that extra 'something' which made it thoroughly worth watching. There were a couple of cheesy moments, but what else do you expect? The ending was ever-so-slightly disappointing in the way it tried to round up every loose end, but endings rarely satisfy me, so that's not a biggie. Will make for an entertaining night out! :)
Why Tom? Why? Oh well, even great actors get it badly wrong - just look at most of Richard Burton's later movies as well as most of Michael Caine's 1980's output and as for Robert de Niro... Look, what I'm saying is Tom Hardy is a great actor. TV series such as THE TAKE and OLIVER TWIST; movies such as WARRIOR, BRONSON, INCEPTION and TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY... and then, this steaming turd with McG's name stamped all over it. Ok, so get this - two secret agents who happen to be longtime friends both (yeah - Tom Hardy and Chris Pine - both!) fall for the same gal - Reece Witherspoon) and oh what larks and farce ensue... Only this is so overblown, overbudgeted and over-the-top it will only appeal to fans of high octane McG garbage such as, er, CHARLIE'S ANGELS and, um, CHARLIE'S ANGELS 2. A teen date movie at best - but it's deeply sexist and, despite all the whizz and bang, it's dead from the opening credits up. Think the awfulness that was Tom Cruise and Cameron Diasipan in KNIGHT AND DAY, or the gut-wrenching sick-inducing bile that was Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler in THE BOUNTY HUNTER... only with the added horror of McG in the director's chair. It's as if he's not even embarassed by TERMINATOR 4!!! Anyway, hatred of McG aside - I saw this for Tom Hardy. He handled the action scenes superbly. He even managed to provide witty banter alongside a plank of wood with Chris Pine's features on it... oh, sorry, that WAS Chris Pine was it? Never mind, he's the ideal William Shatner replacement for STAR TREK... One star for Tom Hardy and minus 4 stars for McG. Bring on Hardy as Bane in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES to wash away the bad bad taste of this foul popcorn...
Extract from theaterofthecommonman.com There are two types of people in this world: those that love Reese Witherspoon and those that don't. Me? Well, I'd say I lean towards the latter. She definitely has her moments, who could deny her brilliance as June Carter Cash in James Mangold's Walk the Line. But sadly, legal or not, I have never bought into the blond stereotype she has embraced. As a male in my 20's, I likely wouldn't be the market they are selling her persona to. So I will say that her loyalty to these popcorn tossing chick flicks has remained constant. This is admirable, as even with Oscar in hand she is seems content feeding the public what it wants, one flaxen tinged joke at a time. Today's film, This Means War, does little to convert the do-nots of my Witherspoon sentiments. Again the CIA features (poorly) as two operatives (who incidentally happen to be childhood best friends) are pulled from the field after bungling a mission (sounding familiar). To pass the time, agent Tuck (Tom Hardy) decides to give online dating a whack. By luck, he meets Lauren (Reece Witherspoon), his dream girl. But as fate would have it, his best friend and fellow agent FDR (Chris Pine) also meets Lauren on the same day. Unbeknownst to her, the boys discover their mutual acquaintance and decide to play along. Poor Lauren finds herself in a pickle: with feelings for both boys she has herself a decision to make as the boys use the full might of the CIA to thwart each other's attempts at winning her love.
Smart, funny and really quite hot, this is worth a look no matter what you think of Charlie's Angels.
This perfectly dreadful romantic action comedy manages to embarrass its three eminently attractive leading players in every scene.
What you have is some bittersweet fun peppered by bursts of sharp patter, the best between the boys.
The kind of rom-com that insults its primary audience and panders to their dates, War is depressingly mean-spirited.
To what tier of romantic comedies does This Means War’ belong? You’d have to start at zero and work your way down.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Tuesday, 14th Feb 2012.
Release date: February 14th 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
