This Means War comes out on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, but you can find advance screenings passes here!
So this is one of those romantic comedies that try to lure couples into by having hot guys for the girls and guns and explosions for the guys. They bumped up the release date for this to February 14th, Valentine’s Day, so they definitely see this as a date movie…and it is. Even though it’s directed by McG, the action is pretty goofy and sub par but that’s ok because the movie is actually pretty funny and can be enjoyed by both sexes. It’s a chick flick guys don’t have to be ashamed to admit they saw. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, and Tom Hardy, This Means War is what happens when two CIA agents start dating the same girl.
I know, I know, the premise sounds terrible. I was expecting a horrible movie going in but after the opening scene, the laughs didn’t stop and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. The movie begins with action to make sure men don’t jump to another film after buying their movie tickets. The gun fights look like kids running around moving their hands in every direction going, “pew, pew, pew, pew,” and landing every shot. It’s over the top and fallacious but remember, it’s just a trick to get the guys in the theater. It’s not til we get to the played-out, run-of-the-mill relationship problems when the movie really begins.
Ladies, meet Tom Hardy and Chris Pine
Chris Pine is FDR, a cruise ship captain who is a playboy looking for a one-night rental, if you know what I mean. Tom Hardy is Tuck, a travel agent that actually travels…Actually, they’re both “covert” CIA spies that get sent around the world to apprehend vicious international criminals like Til Schweiger. While it seems that FDR just wants to score, Tuck is the sensitive British type that already has a kid with his stunningly beautiful ex-wife played by Abigail Spencer. They are, of course, polar opposites and best friends so what’s going to happen when they coincidentally meet the same amazing woman? Crazy spy stuff, that’s what. Think date sabotage and bugs in the bedroom…is that “creepy or romantic? It’s cromantic.”
There are guns...big guns and small hand guns 
Now we enter full romantic comedy territory and guys are too invested to walk out. Girls are going gaga because the movie is so “super cute.” “I think that falling is the best part.” This really is a great date movie and neither side of the equation should be disappointed. It’s a safe, traditional romcom with a few terribly super-imposed explosions thrown in. To mix it up a bit, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon)’s best friend is Trish (Chelsea Handler). I didn’t even know Chelsea Handler was in the movie but it was a nice surprise. Chelsea comes in with her typical fast-talking raunchy dialogue while giving Lauren “advice.” Throughout the movie, everyone else takes easy shots on Handler and it’s hilarious. Lately fans won’t be let down.
watch this movie...or else
There are a couple of romcom twists in there to keep the girls on their feet and the action scenes keep getting bigger (but not better) for the guys. By the end, you’re ready for the end so luckily the movie is only about an hour and a half long. The laughs don’t stop though…they continue all the way to the very end so you leave the theater happy. I was pleasantly surprised by This Means War and can easily recommend it. It has the right amount of comedy, relationship woes and action to deliver what it’s selling without getting too boring for guys or too flashy for girls. It’s not as ridiculous as it seems but it’s ridiculous enough to be entertaining.
Tags: Abigail Spencer, Chelsea Handler, Chris Pine, McG, Reese Witherspoon, This Means War, Til Schweiger, Tom Hardy
Matthew Fong created advancescreenings.com and is the lead contributor. He watches every type of movie and will try almost anything twice. You can follow him on twitter here: @matthewfong
