Review of The Change-Up (2011) by Juanka P — 14 Dec 2016

The Change-Up is another in a long line of body-switching movies, but this time the big twist is that the switch occurs between two full-grown adult males. What's remarkable is that, aside from being freed up to make more sexual and expletive-laden jokes, they don't stray from the same formula you see in every other film in the genre.

One guy is over-extending himself, becoming too focused on his work, and needs to loosen up a little. The other guy is too carefree, lacks the ability to commit to anything or apply himself, and needs to learn the value of growing up.

The biggest sin of this movie is that nothing is funny. I did not laugh, chuckle, or even smirk. The Change-Up is one more in a long line of modern American comedies that think saying sexual things, utilizing bathroom humor, and swearing is hilarious.

There is no punchline, there is no creativity, and there is no imagination. The "jokes" are so puerile that it reminds me of how we used to make each other laugh in middle school. I don't even think the movie handles the lessons that the two guys learn all that well.

Instead of figuring out where they've gone wrong through this unique experience, they require other characters to simply tell them. I can't decide if the writers did that because they think the characters are stupid or they think the audience is stupid, but either way it's offensively poor writing.

I wish I could say that Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds at least get to exercise their acting chops by portraying two different characters, but I never felt them trying to be the other person. The script tells us they have changed, and their actions somewhat imply they have changed, but their acting doesn't clue us in at all.

It's a shoddy film that only exists because the standards for comedy have sunk so low, don't watch it.