There are those kind of films that look so ridculous and out there that you know you are going to have a wonderful time. Some of these find wonderful success and adored by everyone. Others don't do too hot in theaters but later find a cult following on DVD. For Hot Tub Time Machine, the latter will stay true with hopefully the former also coming true.
The film is set around best friends Adam, Lou, and Nick (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, and Craig Robinson) who have spent the past few years not spending too much time togethr as they all progress further in their lives. It is a potential suicide attempt from Lou that reunites the three. To cheer up Lou, the three, along with Adam's nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) head up to a local ski resort the friends went to as high schoolers. Though on arrival, they realize the twon is not the same as it use to be. After checking out into the room they had always checked into in the past, the four decide to take a drunk-filled adventure in their room's hot tub. The next morning they end up landing in 1986.
After realizing where they are, the group realizes that they have to try and perform everything the same way they did as teenagers 24 years ago to possibly get back to the home. Of couse, some events turn about a bit differently and they all try to get everything spot on before dawn.
The film is a bit predictable yes and there are some obvious uses of a greenscreen, but it is filled with a lot of fun, raunchy humor that is so random and out there that the viewer can't help but to sit back and enjoy. Whether it be Adam trying to connect with an old love, Lou trying to use knowledge of the future to his advantage, or Nick reconnecting with his old band days, the film hits every joke and story spot on that when the film ends you wish there would be more. Even a repeated jokeline featuring Crispin Glover that should lose its touch after its first couple times, stays fresh and engaging each time its brought up adding more to the film's creativity.
Yes the film is not aiming for any Academy Awards but if this one-month in advance screening is any indication, Hot Tub Time Machine will be a film to reflect on for years to come.
****

It's pretty fucking funny.

A bit too uneven to be the next Hangover, but blessed with several big laughs and a similarly ribald "wtf?" direction nonetheless. B

Fucking hilarious but I have to nitpick a few things since they made a reference to 21 Jump Street which didnt air till fall april 1987 or the Cutting Crew song that didnt appear to mid 1987. Other than that Crispin Glover was freaking funny even if his character was supposed to be a recurring joke. Truely a better homage to the 80s movie than that crap known as the Wedding Singer

Crispin Glover was definitely the highlight.

B

Merely ok, and just not as funny as The Hangover. There are some good moments, but overall it didn't hook me as much as I'd have liked.

B-

This movie was fucking awesome. Prick Jocks as the villains, I just love that it was the anti time machine movie, where even though they try to not change anything they can't help themselves. The Squirrel, Crispin Glover, Catheter, and Elway bet was fucking hysterical. A+, tough comedy to beat this year.

Better than Hangover probably...or not.

7/10 -> B-
Despite the stupid premise, the movie is actually pretty funny, which was a nice surprise.

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE - 5/10 ( C )

I thought it was pretty stupid and unfunny. I find The Hangover very overrated, and yet Hot Tub Time Machine makes it look pretty damn good. So glad I saw She's Out of My League the weekend this came out instead. I don't feel so cheated watching it on DVD. She's Out of My League is soooo much better.

Great 80's soundtrack, but that's about it.

B+


Hot Tub Time Machine is as ridiculous as the title already suggests. It is not the best comedy I have seen in a while and not even the best comedy of 2010 (that'd be Four Lions), but it's still pretty damn funny and better than most of the watered down comedy stuff that hits the theatres every other week. I have seen the film twice by now and enjoyed it the second time just as much as the first which, especially for a comedy, is a great sign.

I could definitely see it becoming a cult classic among comedies some time down the road. As it stands it is just a perfect party movie to be enjoyed with friend while having a beer or two. The premise is ridiculous, the humor is over the top and the entire casts seems to be having a ball all the time. John Cusack is solid here, but as far as the comedic performances go, he's actually the weak link here. The praise should mostly go to Craig Robinson and Rob Corddry who are really a blast. Crispin Glover rocked too, though Chevy Chase's role was too brief. I also thought that the main four leads had pretty great chemistry with each other.

It's not the best spin on the time travel movies, but it is definitely the funniest one. The scene in which Lou is seemingly trying to give Nick a blow job or Nick calling up his nine year-old future wife are pure comedic gold.


Oh and Lyndsy Fonseca - daaammn.

Honestly, the funniest and most memorable part of this is the title

Completely agree. What a wasted opportunity. So much potential and such a weak execution.


The only part I agree of Lecter's review. She was also the main love interest in Kick-Ass.

Not really that funny and mostly fucking annoying. Rob Corddry sucks the humour out of everything he does.