Review of 21 & Over (2013) by Thomas C — 13 May 2013

The directorial debut of 'The Hangover' scribes Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, '21 & Over' is a film that flits between 'American Pie', 'The Inbetweeners' and the aforementioned 'The Hangover' films. Although never a comedy classic, '21 and Over' is a film that when the jokes work, promises a highly enjoyable and funny film. However, with the majority falling rather short, the film only achieves this success sporadically. This means that although it tries to emulate the success of the other franchises narratives, the film does feel a more shallow, less deep copy of certain elements that have been showcased to audiences before. A grand deal better than the other similar films such as 'Project X', '21 & Over' does hold some laugh-out-loud moments, but for the majority it only serves as a buddy reconciling film. Never standing out when compared to other comedic films of similar recognition, the film holds enough to slot comfortably in with the company that this genre holds.

With outrageous gags, crude humour and over-the-top scenarios, '21 & Over' feels very much the younger brother of 'The Hangover' franchise. This is the strongest selling point of this film, but also its weakest - with many elements seeming too much of a weaker carbon copy of the writers previous work.

Jeff Chang, Casey and Miller have been best friends since high school. However, with each life moving into different directions, the group have disbanded for the majority of the time. However, when Jeff Chang is reaching his 21st birthday - the day he becomes a full fledged man - the pair decide to surprise him with a visit and plan to go out get drunk and christen the celebration correctly. But, under the influence of his strict father and the fact that an important medical interview is booked for the next day, Jeff Chang struggles to let go. Unwilling to let his friend down, the pair still take him out for a night he will never remember. Finally letting go results in hilarious situations arising such as an incident with a buffalo, a dart in a prep leaders face, a tower challenge and a sorority punishment. With Jeff Chang missing, after a rather complicated pub visit, the two mates head out to find their friend and bring him back in time for his important appointment. On their path, they reconcile and learn about each others current lives - and how they can develop further as friends.

As plots go, the situations that arise do deliver some laughs. With the three friends realistic in their on-screen conviction of the role, the film is able to play the development well. The film is only weak when seen on the level of ingenuity and originality that the narrative lacks. A funny film in places, never reaching the heights of other modern comedies however, this film just feels stretched at times. D.