Movie-Holic

In the realm of “buddy” movies that involve a road trip, there are several instant classic hits. Due Date, which stars Robert Downey Jr. (Ironman) and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), was dubbed as the next great buddy movie that involved a cross country road trip.

Sadly, it didn’t turn out that way.

There were some moments where I thought Due Date was going to start getting funny, but was let down again and left with an empty 95 minutes of my life.

In the tradition of hilarious road trip movies such as Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Tommy Boy, The Blues Brothers, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Dumb & Dumber, and even the cult classic Beavis & Butthead Do America stand head and shoulders above Due Date.

Due Date – A Quick Look

The movie had tremendous appeal for audiences because of the once again wildly popular Robert Downey Jr. and the mildly amusing Zach Galifianakis. Downey Jr. plays Peter Highman who is a highly strung architect who is in Atlanta at the time when his wife is getting near the date to deliver their first child. Hence, the name Due Date. He is tasked with the mission of going home to L.A. after a business meeting. This would not be any problem, except for the introduction of Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis) into the story line.

From there things get progressively worse from being kicked off the flight they are both on to crashing the rental car off a bridge, one of them getting shot after being detained at the US/Mexican border.

As I said, tremendous appeal. It should have been a non-stop laugh fest. However, the laughs were very few and very forced at times. I actually felt like I had to laugh at certain points because the situation supposedly called for it.

Due Date – The Acting

I am not quite sure where the movie went wrong. With the power of both Downey Jr. and Galifianakis in the picture it should have been on par with Tommy Boy and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The only problem with that is the lack of chemistry between the two was painfully evident.

Chris Farley and David Spade were made to act together. Everything they did turned into comedic gold. The same thing with John Candy and Steve Martin. They made those top “buddy” movies special because they were special together.

Downey Jr. and Galifianakis were not.

It’s not that they did a bad job of acting. They just didn’t go a good job together.

Due Date – The Comedic Element

As is the case with many movies the movie trailers and teasers make the movies seem much better than they actually are.

I was looking forward to this movie as the trailers were put together in such a way that they made you laugh. But, when you put the scenes in the context of the movie… the laughter just wasn’t there.

The comedy seemed forced as the relationship between the two characters were forced because of their situation.

Due Date – The Good

In every movie there has to be some good in it. I don’t care if it is the worse movie in the history of movies… there has to be at least one scene, one word, one moment where something good happens.

Jamie Foxx provides this with his appearance as Peter’s friend in Texas. Without giving any spoilers it involved a truck, Tremblay in the back, and speeding over large bumps in the road. I actually did laugh at that moment.

Due Date – The Verdict

If you are a fan of either one of these actors you might just find enjoyment in that alone. But, if you are looking for a good comedic movie… keep looking.

But…. if you want to waste 95 minutes of your life…

Click here to get the Due Date [Blu-ray]