Release date: Feb. 17
Pitchforks: 4/5
Romantic comedy mixes with action adventure to create “This Means War,” a movie that appeals to both men and women.
Starring Reese Witherspoon, the film depicts two CIA operatives, FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy), who are looking for love.
In a comical twist of fate, the two best friends and co-workers end up falling for the same girl, Lauren Scott, and compete for her affections using their secret-agent tactics against each other.
“This Means War” avoids the cheesiness typical of romantic storylines with its witty and comical scenes, which usually include FDR and Tuck making fools out of each other while trying to win over Lauren's heart.
FDR, a Casanova figure, quickly realizes that Lauren is unlike most of the women he usually dates.
At first, she turns him down after figuring out his playboy ways, but he relentlessly pursues her until she agrees to go out with him.
The sentimental and wholesome Tuck, on the other hand, attracts Lauren the moment she meets him. The old-fashioned gentleman serves as a sharp contrast to FDR.
Their spy strategies come in handy while trying to figure out Lauren. The boys manage to bug her apartment in order to listen in on her conversations and learn more about her. This also allows them to keep an eye on each other during their dates.
Their spying amusingly backfires when they hear her detailing each of their flaws to her best friend, Trish (Chelsea Handler),
Trish often offers poor, yet hilarious advice as Lauren tries to figure out which guy to choose.
While the entertaining love triangle unfolds, the secret agents are also pursued by a villain seeking revenge on behalf of his brother, who was killed on one of the spies’ secret missions.
“This Means War” has both slapstick and witty, dry humor. For audiences looking for a movie that is both funny and charming, this is the perfect fit.
Its main strength lies in the cast, as Witherspoon, Pine and Hardy dynamically work together, managing to deliver humorous dialogue from start to finish.
For those who want to extend the Valentine mood, “This Means War” is sure to engage both sides of a relationship.
Reach the reporter at newlin.tillotson@asu.edu
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