Hot Tub Time Machine

Hot Tub Time Machine

While not exactly the best comedy out there, it is a fun little throwback to 80s comedies we all loved growing up. Hot Tub Time Machine (HTTM) is a little shaky in some spots, but is nice send-up to all those comedies from the 80s. Mixed with teen Boob-fest of the 80s and the crude nasty humor of the 2000s, the movie works overall.

If you enjoyed the Hangover or Role Models, you’ll probably find this movie very funny. There are some moments that seem like they’re trying too hard to bring out laughs. As long as you are in on the joke, just sit back enjoyed this popcorn comedy. It doesn’t try to be nothing more.

Three old friends come together after an accidental failed suicide attempt. They go back to their old skiing lodge to bring their friendship back together. Through some strange events, they find themselves thrown back to 1986 via a malfunctioning hot tub. The three guys are back into their young bodies of that time period, very much like Quantum Leap. Along for the ride is a young sci-fi nerd, and he seems to understand the trappings of time travel.

What works are all the story references to other movies of that decade. All the time travel elements from Back to the Future to Quantum Leap are present throughout the film. Heck, there’s even a reference to The Butterfly Effect. The movie is packed full of 80s references, so many that I couldn’t list them here. (Crisper Glover, from Back to the Future, does show up here in a rather amusing role.)

This isn’t exactly the 80s we all grew up in. In this movie, it is a heightened version of that decade. They have everything extreme from that time period. Everything from those Miami Vice t-shirts to Alf on the TV screen is thrown in for good measure.

Heck, I even liked the small love subplot with John Cusack and female character. They were charming little scenes.

I did feel the last 20 minutes felt a little rushed. And, I think this weakened the film a bit for me.

-Not all the jokes with Rob Corddry work and sometimes he’s trying too hard to be Zach Galifianakis. These two are the same grown-man-child types.

- John Cusack is great. I love his anti-80s rant and the fact he doesn’t want to be there. Cusack is merely here because he was 80s icon with the movies this film is parodying.

- Chevy Chase is the repairman that seems to have more knowledge than merely being a repairman. People don’t seem to get this character and think that he is out of place. But, actually Chase’s character is a joke on all those seemingly magical and wise “workmen” that know more than they’re letting on. Plus, throwing in Chase is another reference to all those crazy Chevy Chase movies during that time period.

-Craig Robinson once again proves that he is a total badass when it comes to comedy. I loved the bit where Robinson looks into the camera and says the title of the film. All around his scenes were funny.

-Did really need a cover song of “Let's Get it Started”? I know they wanted to call back to Back to the Future, but I hate this song.

In the end, the movie is flawed toward the last 20 minutes, but don’t let that keep you away from seeing this silly movie. The concept is silly, but they somehow pull it off. It has a lot of boob and poop jokes to keep your attention.

Grade: C+

Chevy Chase flashes back to a time period when he was still funny.
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John Cusack: “Don’t say I look like my sister Joan Cusack, and that she find her sexy. That’s just creepy. And, don’t blame me for 2012. And, I paid that paperboy his money years ago.”
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Heeelllllooooo, Nurse.