Review of 21 & Over (2013) by Thomas W — 05 Jul 2013

There seems to be one of these types of films made just about every year ... and none of them are really any better than the last. 21 & Over is just as cliché-riddled and formulaic as all that have come before .

.. much like most college co-ed's 21st birthdays. The difference between cinematic depictions of a 21st birthday and a real-life one is that the one's on film are all wild-and-crazy-unlike-anything-a-real-person-would-ever-do.

This is exactly what happens in 21 & Over. Best buddies from high school Miller and Casey (Miles Teller and Skylar Astin) visit their other buddy, Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) they have lost contact with for his 21st birthday.

Miller and Casey discover Jeff has been highly stressed and doesn't play on celebrating much for his 21st because his medical school entrance interview is the following morning. Well ... guess what happens anyway? Yes .

.. they get him to party like there is no tomorrow ... and if this were real life I am certain there wouldn't be a tomorrow for some if they partied like these kids do here. The actors are all game here and come across as realistic-types we've all encountered before although Miles Teller comes across as repulsively smug and highly annoying which must be a testament to his acting ability as he was somber and sincere in his previous, high-profile film, Rabbit Hole.

This film is all over-the-top theatrics and one ridiculous situation after another; but this is its point. I can see people having fun with this one although it also decides to tackle some much-more serious subject matter .

.. which doesn't always work. I couldn't buy Teller's Miller as a caring individual ... his character just isn't written well-enough to "come around" like he does. Like people -- drunk people -- the movie has some glaring flaws; but it isn't all-bad.

If neverending college-age drunkenness tires you anymore ... I wouldn't watch this one.