Thursday 16 January 2014

Last Vegas (2013)

Director: Jon Turteltaub 
Writer: Dan Fogelman 
Starring: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline 
Rating: 12A 
Genre: Comedy

As the Christmas break comes to a close, and the remainders of “holiday cheer” begin to fade, Last Vegas is the feel-good comedy guaranteed to brighten up this dark and dismal January and leave audiences dancing out of the cinema with a new lease on life.
Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Michael Douglas play four fiery pensioners, reuniting their childhood gang “The Flatbush Four” for “the first bachelor party that could be covered by Medicaid” – Billy (Douglas) is getting married to a woman half his age, and to celebrate, these old guys are hitting the party capital of the world – Las Vegas.
If you liked The Hangover, you will love Last Vegas. Although particularly entertaining (and relatable?) for perhaps the older audience, this film will melt the hearts and tickle the tummies of everyone and anyone (albeit, older the guidance age of 12), with its hilarious script, charming characters and endearing plot.
It would be stupid to deny the fact that the famously gifted all-star cast of Last Vegas is the one of the central reasons the movie soars so greatly. Freeman is side-splittingly funny as old-timer Archie – a spunky fella determined to have a good time - and Kline is quick as the droll Sam, with Viagra in his pocket and “permission” from his wife (men – don’t be getting any ideas). De Niro is typically fantastic as Paddy – a miserable yet wisecracking widower with heavy grudges and a reluctance to relive his partying days, and Douglas does what he does best as cool, smooth-talking Billy - the richest, most successful member of the group, with his dyed hair, orange skin and swagger in his walk. These four actors couldn’t fault any less – their chemistry is unbeatable and together they work to create a loveable and entertaining gang that carries Last Vegas to the very end.
Turteltaub and Fogelman bring magic to screens, sending their characters off on an adventure that allows them to teach each other and the audience extremely valuable life lessons. The laughs, the cries, the fights and the truces – every emotion and action comes together to produce not just a great movie, but something else astonishing and unforgettable – the message that “you are only as old as you feel”.
With this idea in mind, anybody who sees Last Vegas is therefore left with a lust for life and a readiness for whatever it may throw it them - and that in itself, is what movies were made to do.

****

Followers