My Review: Last Vegas (6/10)

"We were 17, you now, five minutes ago. It was just yesterday. I just don't know where it all went, you know? My brain cannot conceive how old this body is."

Last Vegas is one of those movies that you get exactly what you were expecting from it. There are no surprises, it's predictable, but since it has four monster actors you know it will be charming and fun. It's not every day that you get a chance to see Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Morgan Freeman star together in a comedy. They're isn't anything groundbreaking or fresh about their performance, but it's just fun to see them interact with each other and make fun about their old age. Last Vegas is a forgettable film, but one that you will enjoy during its 100 minute run. It has very light humor and doesn't take any risks, but it's also heartwarming and charming. It's a genuinely warm and delightful movie with some funny moments. I'm not going to criticize the film for not taking any risks because I got exactly what I was expecting from it. My father enjoyed it much more than I did, but that's reasonable considering he's more this film's target audience. There's nothing about Last Vegas that's worth recommending, but if you're bored this is an entertaining way to spend it.

The film begins by introducing us to four childhood friends from Brooklyn during the 50's. They were like a good old gang that called themselves the Flatbush Four. 58 years later we see what has happened to each one of them. Billy (Michael Douglas) has remained single all these years and is living the good life in Malibu with his young 31 year old girlfriend. Paddy (Robert De Niro) is still living in Brooklyn and has barely left his apartment since his wife passed away an year ago. Sam (Kevin Kline) and his wife are retired and living in sunny Florida. Archie (Morgan Freeman) is now living in New Jersey with his son who is making sure his father doesn't move around much after he suffered a minor stroke. When Archie and Sam receive a call from Billy telling them that he's getting married they don't hesitate on insisting they have to throw a Bachelor party for him in Vegas. They also convince Paddy to come along and the four get ready to relive their glory days from their youth. 

Jon Turteltaub is a studio director who is better known for his National Treasure films. You know exactly what you are going to get from his movies and know that he isn't looking to win any awards. He is a director who always looks to please major studio producers. The script written by Dan Fogelman (Crazy Stupid Love) is light and fun. It has some charming moments. The film explores rather lightly the themes of friendships and how life seems to pass by faster than what we expect. Last Vegas is a standard film that does exactly what it intended.