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- ‘This Means War‘ Is a Star-Studded Silver Screen Extravaganza
- Roger Ebert and Other Critics Loathed ‘This Means War’
- ‘This Means War’ Is the Ultimate Guilty Pleasure
As a long-time fan of rom-coms and someone who appreciates a good guilty pleasure movie, I must say that “This Means War” is right up my alley! Coming from someone who’s seen more than their fair share of rom-coms, this film stands out for its charming leads, hilarious antics, and delightful blend of genres.
In 2012, several captivating and lively actors from the big screen collaborated to star in the action-romantic comedy “This Means War.” Featuring the skills of popular Hollywood stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, and Tom Hardy, this film narrates an amusing and increasingly complicated love triangle. The predicament arises when two CIA agents and good friends find themselves deeply smitten with the same stunning brunette.
Despite earning a substantial sum of $156.5 million during its cinematic release, the film “This Means War” received critical disapproval rather than acclaim. Many critics found fault with its uninspired concept, humor, and director McG’s inability to capitalize on his gifted cast’s talents. Notably, renowned film critic Roger Ebert was particularly scathing in his appraisal of the romantic comedy, but was he off-base in his assessment of “This Means War” and its intended impact on viewers?
‘This Means War’ Is a Star-Studded Silver Screen Extravaganza
In the action-packed romantic comedy “This Means War,” directed by McG, stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, and Tom Hardy. This movie revolves around the humorous love triangle that arises when product tester Lauren Scott finds herself courted by two secret agents, Franklin “FDR” Foster (Pine) and Tuck Hansen (Hardy), who are also best friends and CIA agents. When they both fall for Lauren, these skilled spies resort to their individual talents to outdo each other in their attempt to win her affection, leading to a series of hilarious and complicated situations.
The movie titled “This Means War,” which hit the screens on February 17, 2012, boasts an impressive cast that includes Angela Bassett, Chelsea Handler, and Abigail Spencer. Despite being a box office success, grossing more than $156 million, it was met with harsh criticism from critics, earning just a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite its formulaic nature and reliance on common clichés and overused tropes, the film may not have deserved the intense dislike it received upon release. Audiences gave the romantic comedy an impressive grade of A- according to CinemaScore.
Roger Ebert and Other Critics Loathed ‘This Means War’
The film, “This Means War,” received harsh criticism in numerous reviews for its humor, excessive action scenes, and inconsistent plotline. Renowned critic Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times was direct in his appraisal, stating that Witherspoon didn’t display the necessary “irresistible raw sex appeal” to spark a battle between two men over her. However, he found the character of Lauren appealing due to her compassion and wholesome charm. Essentially, Ebert felt that Witherspoon was adorable like a button on Raggedy Ann’s overalls, but it’s her heartfelt compassion that makes her attractive.
Reese Witherspoon might not have fit Ebert’s vision of a “sex kitten” for this role, but she has nonetheless built an impressive film career over three decades, often playing the relatable girl-next-door character that fans adore. It was delightful to see her revisit her romantic comedy genre, a niche she excels in with popular movies like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Just Like Heaven,” and more recently “This Means War.” This film also gave Tom Hardy the chance to display a less frequent side of his acting skills, as he’s known for intense roles in crime dramas and action films. Seeing him lighten up and be playful in a romantic comedy was a refreshing change for audiences.
In this role, Pine shines as the charismatic FDR, captivating audiences with his mesmerizing baby blue eyes and endearing smile while skillfully wooing Lauren. His friendship with Hardy, filled with camaraderie and playful banter, added depth to an otherwise routine script. Although it’s undeniable that FDR and Tuck’s use of CIA technology to stalk Lauren was inappropriate, their antics and competitive spirit made the situation less disturbing and more tolerable; as the saying goes, anything can happen in love and war.
‘This Means War’ Is the Ultimate Guilty Pleasure
It’s not necessary for every film to be deeply impactful; sometimes, it can simply offer a pleasant escape. In such cases, there’s nothing wrong with spending an hour-and-a-half indulging in a lighthearted romantic comedy that may border on the cheesy but still provides a fun experience without any heavy obligations. Add a trio of good-looking and charismatic Hollywood actors, some absurdly entertaining antics by rival spies, and Chelsea Handler dishing out side-splittingly bad dating advice, and you’ve got the perfect mindless movie for pure entertainment.
This film, “This Means War,” effectively achieves its intended purpose: it engages viewers and offers a refreshing respite from daily pressures. Enjoying a lighthearted, time-pass movie that offers uncomplicated entertainment is perfectly fine, and not every movie produced in Hollywood has to be critically acclaimed or award-winning. The romantic comedy successfully recaptures the zany humor reminiscent of classic films and appeals to a wider audience due to director McG’s innovative approach of merging various genres and creating a diverse cinematic experience, rather than being criticized for it.
Ebert felt that This Means War was a “stupid action comedy”, and by all accounts the late and great critic was correct, but is there really anything wrong with that? Fans know what they’re in store for when they buy a ticket to a rom-com, just like they know what to expect when they put on a Hallmark movie or a Netflix holiday original; they are in for some easy, breezy viewing that will be enjoyed for its duration and then likely forgotten; no harm, no foul. This Means War fits that bill and more and should be treated simply as a popcorn flick and not a silver-screen masterpiece. If audiences can keep that mindset, they’ll find the experience far more fun by the time the credits roll. Rent/Buy This Means War on Prime Video.
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2024-12-21 20:31