“I'm going to go find some damn water and take all my damn pills then we going to get this damn party started."

Hello Everyone :-)

‘The Hangover’, how do we all feel about ‘The Hangover’? Personally, I don’t mind the first one but that’s as far as I’ll go; I found number 2 so abrasive and cruel that I never bothered to see number 3.

‘The Hangover’ trilogy, however, has been phenomenally popular and some soulless marketing droid has clearly cottoned on to this, factored in the current craze for geri-action (see: The Expendables, RED, Escape Plan, The Last Stand, Bullet to the Head and the upcoming Grudge Match) and decided the premise of sending older actors on a Stag-do was a good one and seemingly ‘Last Vegas’ came into being.

Billy (Michael Douglas) is in his late 60’s when he informs his three best friends – Paddy (Robert De Niro), Sam (Kevin Kline), and Archie (Morgan Freeman) – that he’s getting married. The four childhood friends converge on Vegas and set about giving Billy a suitably memorable Bachelor party with hilarious consequences.

My Nan loved this film and I really liked it too. I mean that in the best possible sense.

The first, most crucial, question is “Is it funny?” Humour is obviously subjective but I thought that, for the most part, ‘Last Vegas’ was consistently funny. I was surprised by how much of the humour was derived from pointing out the ridiculousness of the young rather than constant references to how the four leads are ‘too old for this shit’ (I’m looking at you ‘Expendables 2’…). In particular the attitudes of a young nightclub go’er and the quartet’s host for the weekend, Lonnie.

There are a couple of cringeworthy attempts to crowbar some youth culture into the film. Two cameo’s in particular made me wince. It’s really not necessary to do this. The concept and performances are funny enough without showing me LMFAO thrusting in Robert De Niro’s face…

As far as performances are concerned Michael Douglas and Robert De Niro are pretty much dialling it in as Billy the perma-tanned party boy and (understandably) grumpy Paddy. A well timed love triangle does a bit to boost their story when interest starts to wane.

The cause of that love triangle is the utterly delightful Mary Steenburgen. She is properly lovely and a great example of a character older woman in a film who can still be funny and smart and gorgeous. More of this please.

The best bits of the movie are Kevin Kline and Morgan Freeman as Sam and Archie. Morgan Freeman cements his position as The President Nelson Mandela God the coolest man in the world by rocking a red velvet suit and having Archie be the smoothest guy ever, despite the fact he’s on so much medication he practically rattles as he walks.

Kevin Kline is, frankly, not in enough things and here he gets to bust his comedy chops as Sam, the man that’s been given a ‘free pass’ by his wife for the weekend. Kline (Total Silver Fox) gets all the best lines in the film and delivers them with impeccable timing; he is so much fun to watch. We don't see you enough Kevin, don't be a stranger!

I don’t think it’s a bad thing for a movie to aspire to be pleasant. In the same vein as ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, ‘Last Vegas’ doesn’t want to be anything more than a heart-warming tale of people enjoying their dotage and that’s ok. Whilst it’s pretty genteel Freeman and Kline help give the film a cheeky side. After all… it’s nice to be nice.

Also, this.

Now Mr Freeman has finally cleared up what the Fox said let’s have a look at some…

Reasons to be Cheerful :-)

1. Sherlock Series 3 is out on Blu-Ray and DVD! Series 3 garnered a bit of a backlash which I think was unwarranted. I really loved it and you can now get all the series in a lovely box set :-)

2. Peter Capaldi’s (are we calling him the 12^th or the 13^th Doctor? Oh who the fuck knows any more…) Who costume has been revealed. It’s a shame he’s not wearing his Cardinal Richelieu get up but still… I bloody LOVE it :-)

That’ll do for now!

Goodbye till next time :-)

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