Due Date

Due Date is very much what you would expect from a Todd Phillips movie. A lot of slapstick comedy, strong male leads, a mish-mash of pairings, and an outlandish plot that you are more than willing to accept. You can tell that Philips is still in Hangover mode (which makes sense as his next movie is the sequel to the '09 smash hit). And while the comedy may share similar laughs with his last movie, his newest movie shows off a softer side as well.

This movie features a wannabe actor with a glaucoma problem and Robert Downey Jr. After mayhem at the airport both men are placed on the no fly list. With his wallet in transit, in order to reach his pregnant wife in time Robert Downey Jr. must team up with comedies it-man of the moment, Zach Galifianakis, on a cross country road trip.

Zach Galifianakis plays more or less the same role Phillips asked him to play in the past, a sympothetic dolt. After showing off some of his real acting chops in It's Kind of a Funny Story, he is able to spread his wings a little bit and shows some depth in a storyline featuring his dead father. They of course balance all of that out with placing the patriarch's ashes in a coffee can.

It's Robert Downey Jr's character who steals most of the scenes. His comedic timing, dry wit and scornful looks hit at all the right times. Downey plays an uptight architect who has a knack for flying off the handle. You know what to expect from Galifianakis and his comedy, Downey is the X-factor in all of this and he pushes the movie into a no doubt comedy hit. What may stop it from becoming a blockbuster smash is director Todd Phillips.

It is clear that Phillips is maturing as he tries to insert some sincerity into his film. These moments come courtesy from both lead men, both in ways of self-examination and with fatherhood and paternal issues. I doubt he is trying to deliver a firm stance on how you need to better yourself, but maybe suggest that you at least try. It's these moments that may lose some of the audience, who are expecting zany comedy throughout. Also like his past movies, Due Date seems to peek a little early. Many of his belly laughing inducing moments come in the first half of the movie leaving the second half flailing in the wind as once again he may try too hard to become more outrageous as the movie rolls on.

Much of the weight of the movie falls squarely on the shoulders of these two men, but they do get some help from a slew of guest stars. Danny McBride, Juliette Lewis, and Matt Walsh bring exactly what you would expect them to bring to the film and are outstanding at doing so. Jamie Fox, who is featured heavily in the previews is more a set-up man, and sets the scene for some future laughs. Anyone expecting a strong female counterpart clearly hasn't seen any of Phillips' other movies. Hopefully there won't be a public outcry for gender equality like last time and both sexes will be able to enjoy a man who simply writes in the perspective of a man, doubtful.

Downey's star has never been higher and after so many hits it is hard to see it coming down anytime soon. Galifiankis is also on the rise, but it is easy to tell that somewhere down the road audiences may get sick of the characters he plays. That moment though is not now. The men hit all their marks and help create one of the best comedies of the year. B+