‘21 and Over’ Review

If you were hoping for “The Hangover Part 3” to come out sooner and can’t wait any longer, “21 and Over” provides a similar and equally hilarious performance, relatable to a much younger age range. The movie, which is written and directed by the same producers of “The Hangover” series, provides an uncanny resemblance to the first movie and doesn’t fail to impress.

The movie centers around Jeff Chang (Justin Chon), a straight-A-college student, whose two best friends Casey (Skylar Astin) and Miller (Miles Teller) surprise him on his 21st birthday, coming from out of town. They plan on taking him out that night to celebrate. Chang tries to resist as he has a big medical school interview the following morning, but when Miller threatens to “blow an air horn outside his apartment all night” if he won’t go out to celebrate, Chang gives in.

What’s supposed to be a few drinks between friends turns into a full-on rager when Chang finally lets loose and realizes he wants to have fun and do something. When Chang passes out, his friends have no clue how to get him back to his apartment. Their journey to get him home takes them into the next day. Along the way, they have encounters with the law, a live buffalo is let loose, they stage a hospital breakout and someone gets branded on his butt.

From insane amounts of ridiculous car chases and even some gunplay, the characters finally find their friends house after talking to a man on drugs. The movie gives hysterical scenes that leave the audience dying of laughter. It provides hilarious, provocative and shocking scenes.

However, as with all comedies, “21 and Over” is not for everyone and can’t be taken too seriously when watching it due to some extreme Asian-American stereotypes. Some audiences might find the film a little too raunchy. But, if you’re as big a fan of movies like “Project X” and “The Hangover,” “21 and Over” is something you’ll enjoy.

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‘Identity Thief’ Review

“Identity Thief” turned out to be another hilarious but heartfelt comedy. When the real Sandy Patterson, played by Jason Bateman, is notified of his identity theft, he sets out on a road trip to find the woman and bring her back so he can turn her in. In order for police to arrest or catch the criminal, they would have to undergo an investigation that would’ve taken over a year. Sandy Patterson decides to take matters into his own hands.

As the identity thief Diana, audiences are reminded of Melissa McCarthy’s adoring qualities. She fully puts herself into every character she plays and gives a comedic performance in this movie.

In “Identity Thief,” she hits the jackpot when she gets hold of Sandy Patterson’s credit card and personal information and starts to live off his money. When Patterson finds her in Florida by tracking his credit card statements, he sets out on a road trip with her, and she agrees to go back to his hometown to clear his name with his boss.

We see McCarthy’s heartfelt performance come into play when she realizes what she’s done is wrong after learning about his family and bonding with Patterson along the way. It wouldn’t be funny, of course, without some gun scenes, gang violence, break-ins and drunken bar nights that provide comedic relief for the audience.

In some ways the movie is a raunchier version of “The Guilt Trip,” and doesn’t leave viewers disappointed with the story line and outcome.