Old Dogs
“Wild Hogs” was an unexpected guilty pleasure back in 2007. That film’s director- Walt Becker- and one of its’ stars- John Travolta- return to the family comedy/male midlife crisis genre with Robin Williams.
Williams plays Dan, a twice-divorced man who, along with best friend Charlie (Travolta), is in the middle of a big deal at work when former girlfriend (Kelly Preston) springs a surprise on him. Turns out he’s the father of her twins, and she’s going away to prison for two weeks.
Well, if you’ve seen the previews, you know how it works. The film starts slow, and to be honest, the humor is pale compared to the chemistry and craziness of “Hogs.”
The supporting actors help out a lot. Preston is sexy and warm as the out-of-nowhere ex with a favor to ask. Justin Long and Matt Dillon are sly and stupidly macho as troop leaders on a pioneer camping weekend. Dax Shepherd and Luis Guzman steal every scene as childproofers of Charlie’s bachelor pad when Dan and the kids have to move in. And the late Bernie Mac has one last scene-stealing turn left in him as a children’s entertainer that helps the guys get their groove on and connect with the kids.
And then, there’s Seth Green. The “Buffy” actor (and co-creator of TV’s “Robot Chicken”) is a big supporting draw when used right (“The Italian Job,” the “Austin Powers” films). Here, he’s not. When he is used, he’s by-and-large used very well, but there are time when his presence is sorely needed to up the comedy quotient.
Eventually, though, Travolta and Williams find their grooves through the PG-happy antics to give us a look at a couple of old dogs in need of learning some new tricks. I just wish the movie could’ve picked up some of its’ own.
