The Diary of a Movie Addict.

Title: Due Date

Director: Todd Phillips (Old School, Hangover, Hangover 2)

Actors: Zach Galifianakis, Robert Downey Jr., Michelle Monaghan, and Jamie Foxx

Sometimes pairing a successful man with a almost-hillbilly isn’t the best idea in terms of safety. Both of these opposite strangers go through a lot in a cross country drive to California. However, this movie isn’t all just for laughs. Perhaps when spotting Zach Galifianakis on the poster, we could think that it would be a hardcore comedy; nothing in between, nothing serious, just pure laughs. This isn’t the case. Sure the movie delivers big on many laughs, it also has implicit messages that can be learned from this film.

Todd Phillips teams up with Galifianakis and Downey Jr. to deliver a story about a cross country trip gone wrong. In fact, both Downey Jr. and Galifianakis don’t even know each other. As Downey Jr. tries to get into the airport and on a plane to California to see his wife and be there for the delivery of their baby, Galifianakis leads him into a series of unfortunate events that land him on the no-fly list. To add more delay to Downey Jr.’s plans, he has his wallet stolen, so he cannot go to California by himself. Instead, he ends up going on a cross country trip to California with the wannabe actor Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), or Ethan Chase, or whatever other Stage name he has. And trust me, hilarity ensues.

This being a review, I guess I have to criticize the acting? That’s funny because there really isn’t much acting required in the film. (Yeah, right.) Galifianakis is hilarious. He always somehow finds a way to make the people laugh; whether it’s the childish walk, or delivering in a deadpan voice and face “You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” The best part however was when actually showed off his acting chops as a character that his character is asked to play by Downey Jr. Downey Jr. in multiple scenes demands Galifianakis to act out a scenario to try to prove to Downey Jr. that he has got what it takes to make it into the acting business. Galifianakis can act, just watch his fake scenes in the movie. He even sells Marlon Brando, but only if you’re high. Downey Jr. always delivers. There’s nothing more that you can ask from the man. He just delivers.

This movie was funny. It wasn’t a stream of constant laughters, but it certainly had it moments. Galifianakis is the anchor of this movie; he delivers the laughs. Other than the uproarious laughter, this movie delivers lessons. Sometimes the reason that certain people travel with complete strangers (other than wanting to kill them) is to get rid of the sense of loneliness. Galifianakis is a lonely man after losing his dad in the film, so he offers Downey Jr. a ride across the country. Galifianakis had a good dad, Downey Jr. did not have a good dad in the film, and he is about to become one. Should he become like his dad that left, or should be a good dad to his future baby? Lessons in a comedy?! NO WAY!

Overall, this film was a good film. It certainly delivered laughs. It had a strange mix of emotion and lessons. It felt unbalanced, the contrast between comedy and lessons/emotions. Not only that, but the chemistry between Galifianakis and Downey Jr. felt off at certain points of the movie, much like their respective character’s were awkward towards each other.

Netlflix Style Rating: 4/5

Pros:

• Hilarious
• Fast-paced
• Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr. What more do you need?
• Sonny the Dog is a sleeper highlight of the film, cute and funny.
• Cinematography

Cons:

• Weird Chemistry
• Unbalanced mix of comedy and seriousness.

Overall Consensus:

This movie is BAD. It is only funny because of how outrageous it is. That’s all there is to it. 

“JK. LOL. HI.”

— Zach Galifianakis from Due Date

But seriously, this movie is hilarious and certainly delivers thanks to the integrity of Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis.