ISH REVIEW: HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

First and foremost don't let the title "Hot Tub Time Machine" scare you like it did me. When I got the assignment to cover this movie I thought to myself --bummer, I can't believe I'm finally going to my first movie in a theater since my son was born 18 months ago and it's about a hot tub traveling back in time! But with John Cusack in the lead role how bad could it really be? 

It definitely didn't disappoint. I actually liked it twice as much as The Hangover (yes, I said it)! HTTM has a similar premise -- guy buddy flick with plenty of beer, hot babes and male bonding...just in a jacuzzi.

John Cusack, Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson star as estranged BFF's who go on a ski trip with Clark Duke (who plays Cusack's chacater's nephew) and wind up traveling back in time after a drunken night in the hotel hot tub! Pretty basic plot, but with an hilarious script and directing by Steve Pink who worked with Cusack on the hugely popular films "High Fidelity" and "Grosse Pointe Blank," the whole 80's flashback works --- neon colors, leg warmers, big hair and all.


And what works even better in "Hot Tub Time Machine" are the performances, with Cusack reliving the era that made him a famous and Cordddry who's manic over-sexed persona almost steals the show. Robinson, has some of the most funny moments which include singing a new rendition of "Jesse's Girl" and by staring into the camera while saying "hot tub time machine." Newcomer, Duke, plays the innocent tag-along who doesn't quit get why these pals have to live out their past to get back to the present.

Besides some awesome 80's music (most of the soundtrack is picked out by Cusack), the movie contains some classic homages to some of our favorite 80's flicks like "16 Candles," so keep an eye out for that as well.

CAST:

Adam - John Cusack 
Lou - Rob Corddry
Nick - Craig Robinson 
Jacob - Clark Duke 
Bellboy - Crispin Glover 
Alice - Lizzy Caplan 
Repairman - Chevy Chase 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents a film directed by Steve Pink. Written by Josh Heald, Sean Anders and John Morris. Running time: 98 minutes. Rated R (for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, drug use and pervasive language).