What really happened in Vegas?

This is a copy of a review that appeared at The Mile Hive...please take a moment to visit this stellar site by clicking HERE.

I knew they were giving you the Xmas bonus!

Sometimes I make mistakes. I’m not one of those critics who is above admitting I was wrong, and this isn’t the first time either. There was a few weeks back when I tried to defend Nim’s Island, several years ago when I wanted to convince myself and everyone else that Bad Boys II was a great idea, and when I was even younger and thought that perhaps Ninja Turtles III was just as good as I and II. Like I said, mistakes.

When you read my previous review of the romantic comedy Made of Honor, you might notice some of those errors in judgement. For example, when I said it was “refreshing” and “genuinely funny”. Let’s all admit it, that was truly a made-to-order Rom Com, with nothing new except the faces. Maybe there were some chuckles here and there, but “genuinely funny”? I’m not so sure now.

You may ask, what has happened for me to question my unwavering accuracy? What could possibly have dented my iron clad resolve? Tonight I went to see a Rom Com that deserved the review I gave Made of Honor, truly. The movie’s called “What Happens in Vegas” and it stars Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. I went into this thinking, here are two semi-washed up actors in a try-hard Superbad for grown ups.

I now sentence you to 3 months of acting classes

In the movie, Kutcher plays a loser womaniser who can’t keep a job and Diaz is a workaholic who just got dumped by her fiancé. Yes, this movie is set in New York (again, gag) but the fun starts when the two decide to head to Vegas to forget their woes and end up, best friends in tow, in the same hotel room. Several upgrades and a million vodkas later, they end up married. It’s all fun and games until Kutcher’s character wins 3 Million smackers with Diaz’s quarter.

Of course, in movie land, this means they can’t just get an annulment or even a quickie divorce. The judge sentences them to 6 months “hard marriage” with Queen Latifah in a random, and under-used, cameo as their counsellor. Hilarity ensues when the two desperately try to screw each other over for the cash. Of course, this results in them having tons of fun and getting to know each other better, blah blah blah.

The differences in this movie are in the comedy, the incredible visuals and real chemistry between the two leads. I should also mention the side characters, Rob Corddry and Lake Bell as their two best friends. While scheming with the married couple, they continually trade insults much to the audience’s delight. The end of the movie had me and my friend laughing all the way down the street to the car and then some. “I haven’t laughed like that in a movie for ages” she said. Me either.

What Happens in Vegas gets 3 ½ Stars from me and I’m downgrading Made of Honor to a more deserving 2 ½. It just wasn’t nearly as fun!

Lights go down, a lady gasps, there's sex...

No really, 60 is the new 40!

Sex and the City that is. I went to a preview screening for Made of Honor tonight (one day in advance, that's just how I roll) and I was sitting there surrounded by ladies between the ages of 25 and 45. The lights went down and as soon as Carrie's face, oh I mean Sarah Jessica Parker's face, appeared on screen several women behind me literally gasped and one ended up crying she was so excited. Ok, it was a good show, but won't this just be a two hour episode of the SATC of old? I'm hoping they can come up with something new but I really see no need for such a film, except for those gasps.

You know I love the movies, and that just made me love them even more. I've cried in trailers before (Indiana Jones 4 made me weep tears of joy) and I've gasped, but knowing that others do it too makes it all the more special. Then I noticed the bottom of the screen where there was a perfect row of silhouetted heads (I slouch) and I couldn't restrict the grin any longer. It cracked my entire facade...damn you amusing silhouetted heads. Oh I do love the movies.

You just farted, didn't you?

I wasn't too excited about seeing Made of Honor. Sure, I loved Patrick Dempsey in the 80's. Who didn't? He was an adorable geek, similar to Jon Cryer but better looking. Might Pretty in Pink have turned out differently if Dempsey had played Duckie? Perhaps.

Now he's all grown up and executing that Dr.McDreamy role he's perfected in television's Grey's Anatomy. He's a handsome guy but I was becoming increasingly frustrated with his roles in romcoms...Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted. Yet there is something sincerely charming about the guy even though he only has one part to play in every role in which he's cast. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just means he's not a character actor and I can say that what he does do is great.

Made of Honor is the story of Tom (Dempsey), a bachelor who refuses to dedicate more than one night to any lady. His best friend Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) puts up with all his stories of male sluttiness over the years. When Hannah finally meets a man she can marry, Tom figures out she's the one he's wanted all along. Surprise! This movie is formulaic and oh so predictable. It's set in New York (gag), there's the goofy support characters and the climactic ending.

However, Made of Honor is genuinely funny, well written and has a pleasing pace. It's definitely a refreshing take on the old formula and with some real heart. A few faces popped up in this film that enriched the story, supports that were fished out from the soup of 90's television like Kadeem Hardison (I had the biggest crush on Dwayne Wayne) and ex Dawson's Creek tidbit Busy Philips. Ultimate loser Kevin Sussman provides some of the heartiest laughs in the film as an outsider desperately trying to be "one of the guys" at the weekly friendly b-ball game.

The fact this story is told from a male perspective and with his very MALE friends helping Tom in his quest, gave the plot a fresh feel. Michelle Monaghan is rapidly becoming one of my on screen favorites since Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and with Gone Baby Gone securing her in my one-to-watch list.

Made of Honor isn't a brilliant film but as far as the genre goes, it is a stand-out for entertainment value. I think if you took your sig-oth to it, they wouldn't kill you either. It really is funny!

3/5 Heart Shaped Stars