Review of What Happens in Vegas (2008) by Dawdlingpoet — 28 Nov 2021

This movie is pretty much what you see on the box (or cover, so to speak), it features Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz as a 'couple' that are forced to stay together and put up with each other in order to get the $3 million. The movie features more comedy than romance for the majority of the movie, although the ending is a bit annoyingly preachy and not so funny, which made it a bit of a let down for me and almost makes you wonder, who their accommodating for? certainly some elements of the movie will appeal to men and others perhaps more to women, though I don't like to be seen as generalising too much and I don't want to go into any details incase it spoils the movie for anyone. The story has some similarities to The Hangover, only this is lower key but the gags are still pretty low-brow, with some crude-ish jokes/innuendo and so on included, you've been warned - of course this is a film with a 12 rating not a 15 rating like The Hangover and I wouldn't say its quite as outrageous storywise as The Hangover, though its another comedy that has a moral to it (dont party too hard and drink too much or you never know what might happen and going all out in Vegas can lead to some unlikely situations!).. Speaking of The Hangover, I should mention that Zach Galifianakis appears in this movie, he is, of course, mainly known for playing Alan Garner, one of the main characters in The Hangover (btw I hear there's a 'The Hangover II' in production), in this movie he plays the character 'Dave the bear' - not a main character but one of Jacks friends, I think, who shows his surprise and jealousy to Jack for him landing who he sees as a right good catch (aka Joy), put it that way. Kutcher and Diaz give pretty decent performances I suppose, there's not much to be said really, it is what it is, a rather light hearted comedy with a few surprise laughs (ie gags that I wasn't really expecting and that were funnier than others). Male viewers will likely enjoy watching Diaz in terms of eye candy, there are one or two shots of her scantily clad (wearing a bikini or underwear I think) and equally for female viewers, Kutcher is on good form and there's the odd scene of him topless, which im sure some people will appreciate(!). Its all a bit predictable, Diaz as Joy, the ratherly more ambitious woman who is determined to get the money and not let Jack win and Kutcher as Jack, the markedly less ambitious guy who finds it difficult to think of the answer when their marriage therapist/counsellor (who, by the way, is played by Queen Latifah - her role is pretty short lived but I quite like her in the comic roles she plays and I kind of liked this character too) asks what his hobbies are, there's the obvious comedy around the two of them having to make concessions for each other as they settle in to life living in Jacks apartment, Joy having to deal with being in a mans apartment, one that isn't as hygenic as she would like (what with him being a lazy guy), you get the picture and then there are the situations that you know will lead to comedy - you can pretty much guess the majority of the story if you bother to but thats not to say that the movie isn't enjoyable or entertaining, it is. This may seem a bit confusing but basically its a comedy movie that does have its laughs, it has its limitations for sure but is it funny and watchable all the same? yes - for what it is, its quite amusing in parts, overall as a movie its alright, indeed I think some people will enjoy this more than others, it depends on what you expect, what kind of movies you like etc.

Read the last paragraph above. I think this movie will appeal more to some than others, if rather basic/predictable storylines or 'chick flicks' irk you at all, then I'd recommend that you steer clear of this title but otherwise I can say that I thought this movie was pretty entertaining, its certainly watchable, though its not very memorable, I wouldn't want to see it again but it passed the time ok. I felt that the ending was a bit of a let down, although others might disagree, it just depends on whether you like this kind of movie or not. Overall its not a great movie, nor is it an awful one, its decent enough with the odd extra funny line/scene but it definitely doesn't cover any new ground and the ending, like I've said, was a bit of a let down to me personally. Judge by what I've said whether you'd enjoy it.