Review of The Night Before (2015) by Leon B — 10 Apr 2016

Review:

This is a mediocre comedy, which does have a couple of funny moments but it did seem more silly than funny. The movie is based around 3 best friends, Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Issac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie), who are spending there last Christmas night together, before Issac's wife, Betsy (Jillian Bell) has a baby. Ever since Ethan lost his parents at Christmas, due to a car crash, the 3 friends have made it a ritual to be together on Christmas night, and they have tried to get an invitation to the exclusive undercover club, the Nurcracka Ball but they have never succeeded. While Ethan is working in the cloak room of a club, he sees 3 tickets to the ball in someone's pocket, so he steals them so he and his friends can finally get to go to the ball. Meanwhile, Ethan has broken up with his girlfriend, Diana (Lizzy Caplan), because of commitment issues and Chris has become an sports star and Ethan is determined to win back Diana's heart. Before they set out on there magnificent last adventure, Betsy gives Issac a box of drugs so he can have the perfect night out but he goes completely overboard and he doesn't know if he is coming or going. Once they set out on the last voyage, it just goes from bad to worse but they remain close friends, even though they end up on separate missions at one point of the night. The acting was what was expected from Mackie, Rogen and Joseph and the director does push the barriers with religion and sexual innuendos. Michael Shannon (Mr. Green) was brilliant as the drug dealing elf and I enjoyed the Run DMC tribute but it's not in the same league as movies like the Hangover. Watchable!

Round-Up:

This movie was written and directed by Jonathan Levin, who brought you 50/50, which also starred Seth Rogen and Gordon-Levitt, Warm Bodies and the Wackness, so he hasn't got loads of experience behind the camera. The scale of this movie is pretty big and you can definitely see were the budget went but it still lacked originality and Seth Rogen seemed to be the only one, out of the three, that was bringing the comedic aspect to the film. I enjoyed the old school Hip Hop throughout the movie and those traditional jumpers did make me laugh, and the girl who played the grinch type character, Rebecca (Ilana Glazer), was completely nuts but there wasn't any moments that will stick in my mind. Its still a watchable movie which will make you laugh in parts but I have seen better.

Budget: $25million.

Worldwide Gross: $52.3million.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their comedies starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon, Tracy Morgan, James Franco and Miley Cyrus. 4/10.