Reviewed by Johnny McNair

MGM/UA – 100 mins – 2010 – Unrated – 1080p Widescreen 1.85: 1 – Dolby Digital DTS-HD Master 5.1 Audio – Digital Copy

Ah…the 80’s, if you were fortunate enough to remember the decade it was a great time. Offering awesome films like Back to the Future and Raiders of the Lost Ark, TV shows like Miami Vice and The A-Team, MTV, and songs by great one hit wonders like Men Without Hats and Wang Chung. Oh, if only we could all go back for a little while to have some fun. Well now we can thanks to the appropriately titled, Hot Tub Time Machine, available on Blu-ray from MGM/FOX. Now get that old Zach Morris phone out of the closet, make puff up your hair and slide on the Ray Bans, because the 80’s are back.

THE MOVIE

Yes, there have been plenty of films about guys suffering from a mid-life crisis, so the formula is the same. A trio of high school pals, Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Cordry) and Nic (Craig Robinson), are depressed men in their forties because life didn’t exactly go their way.  In an attempt to recapture the best time of their lives, the guys along with Adam’s nephew Jacob (Clarke Duke), take a trip to ski resort that holds some of their best memories. The place obviously is not what it used to be but the guys try to make the best of it by chilling out in the hot tub and doing a lot of heavy drinking to drown their unhappiness.

After they awake the next morning, they realize that something is very odd. The styles, music and people of reversed 24 years, and now they are back in 1986. They discover that it was the hot tub that transported the back in time, and the only person who can get them back to 2010 is the scary repairman (Chevy Chase) who needs a few days to get the part for the machine that’s broken. Now the guys have to once again experience one of the most eventful weekends of their teens, but this time as men in their 40’s, hoping to make the wrong things right.
Obviously this entire premise is over the top, but so were the 80’s. Films such as Adam’s Sandler’s The Wedding Singer have treaded on this ground before, but instead of being family friendly, Hot Tub Time Machine goes for the Porky’s audience. This film is very funny and you really didn’t have to experience the 80’s to enjoy it, but if you did it makes it that more funnier. Cusack who was a teen star in the 80’s completely gets the jokes and goes along with it, but he is the straight man next to his co-stars Robinson and Cordry who play their characters more for laughs. And character actor Crispin Glover does what he does best, play the very weird guy who steals the scene whenever he shows up.

Directed by Steve Pink, the movie keeps it’s pace because you really like these guys and even thought their situation is ridiculous, you can relate to their adventure. There are also so many references to the 80’s and how it’s influenced popular culture that you will have to watch the film multiple times to catch them all. Just the homage to the movie Red Dawn is worth it alone. Anyone looking for a comedy that makes fun of itself in a good way should give Hot Tub Time Machine a look, and if you know the 80’s well, you’re going to get a lot more out of it.

VIDEO

Presented in full 1080p in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Hot Tub Time Machine looks great on Blu-ray. The 80’s were a colorful time, so this film was shot to highlight the party style of the time, so the bright wardrobe pops out.  Close ups of the characters show every detail to perfection, maybe too much because John Cusack is starting to look like an old man, but hey, he’s earned it. Grain does show up in spots during night scenes, but overall this transfer is done very well.

AUDIO

The 80’s was very loud, so the sound mix of Hot Tub compliments the era with pride, offering a Dolby Digital DTS-HD 5.1 mix that will keep your speakers pumping. This film constantly has activity going on in the background, whether it be blasting music or a party crowd, but the dialogue is mixed nicely so that the background noises never overtake the characters and you can hear every word they are saying. All of your speakers will get a workout here, but if you’re a fan of 80’s music you will appreciate it.

EXTRAS

While the film is great, the selection of bonus features is a letdown mainly consisting of twelve minutes of deleted/extended scenes and six minutes of promotional spots and the theatrical trailer. There’s also a Digital Copy for those who want the 80’s on the go.

BOTTOM LINE

Hot Tub Time Machine is a fun movie that knows exactly what it’s trying to offer, something that many recent comedies can’t supply. The image and sound quality of the Blu-ray is top notch, but the bonus features leave a lot to be desired. Anyone looking for a comedy that will take them back to their teens should defiantly jump in this hot tub.

SCORES: (Out of 5)

The Movie: 3.5
Video: 4.0
Sound: 4.0
Extras: 2.0
Bottom Line: 3.5