FilmSnobReviews

Title: Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Jake Szymanski
Starring: Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins

What It Is: Mike and Dave (Devine and Efron) Stangle is two bros that have a tendency to ruin most of their families outings. So when their sister Jeanie (Sugar Lyn Beard) plans her wedding their father has made it very clear that these two hooligans are to bring dates. They find dates in Alice (Kendrick) and Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza) who pretend to be something they are not. With the facade of “nice girls” firmly in place, Alice and Tatiana will try to enjoy their free vacation, while the brothers Stangle try to screw anything up.

What We Think: Another serviceable comedy this year featuring Zac Efron this year. While I’ve not seen Dirty Grandpa which also features Aubrey Plaza. I did see Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and while not as funny as the first it still had some jokes. Efron seems to be thriving in his comedic roles. Am I the only one annoyed by Andy Devine? Like his schtick is pretty much the same thing. Here he is at maximum frat douche. Plaza and Kendrick are completely unlikeable, despite all their attempts to the contrary.

Our Grade: C-, A weird premise is delivered well but let down by infrequent jokes that connect. Characters that don’t act like real humans really act. By no means the worst film of the year it is just blah. It tries to shock and awe with some of its tactics and that didn’t click like it should have. Overall there are some good things to take away from here. Baywatch which drops next year will hopefully continue that streak for Efron. Even something like That Awkward Moment was pretty good and Efron was part of that.