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Everyone Is Good Looking In 'This Means War'

Film Rundown:

Genre:

Action/Adventure

Parental Rating:

Director:

McG

Starring:

Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chelsea Handler

Runtime:

Our rating:

B+

by Emily Cheever

Film and TV Editor
On Feb 17, 2012

Let's be honest, you already know what kind of movie This Means War is. It's directed by McG, the same guy who did Charlie's Angels (the film franchise). You can tell this, just by looking at the film's aesthetic. It's the kind of film that you will immensely enjoy on a Saturday afternoon (probably FX syndication, because that's the channel that "has the movies") while doing your laundry and attempting to clean your apartment. I say that in the most commending way possible, by the way.

The premise is simple enough- Best friends and rowdy C.I.A. agents FDR and Tuck (Chris Pine and Tom Hardy respectively) are both single with different opinions of love. Tuck wants the committed type while FDR is more in it for sport. And wouldn't you know, suddenly their world is turned upside down by Lauren (Reese Witherspoon) who starts to date both of them, not knowing their connection. The lads start an all out wooing war over her. Hijinks ensue. There's also a thinly established espionage plot thrown in, but this is purely for third act purposes. While I've never been a hue fan of the love triangle plot line- I tend to think of it as lazy, but considering this love triangle makes up the entire plot it is forgivable. At least until the ending, but love triangle endings are rarely logically sound and personally fulfilling.

Really, it doesn't matter what kind of girl Lauren is. She's just that girl you see in movies; creative, probably nonexistent job (with colorful desks in the office!), acerbic and inappropriate best friend (played by Chelsea Handler), can actually wear shorts and espadrilles and not look like a hooker. Make no mistake- Reese is still charming and likable, regardless of how complex (or flat) her character is. It's almost a non-issue that the chemistry she has with these two guys is almost nonexistent, even though she is presumably crazy about both of them. In fact, most of the charm comes from the chemistry between Reese and Chelsea and Tom and Chris. By no means was this a vehicle for the cast to show their chops, but it doesn't need to be. It's pure purpose is to be visual candy from the set to the unbelievably unattractive cast. Seriously. They are really, really good looking.

SumOlogy: The beauty of This Means War is only skin deep. And we're all OK with that.

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