Old Dogs

Old Dogs
Year: 2009
Director: Walt Becker
Cast: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Seth Green, Kelly Preston

In My Own Words
“Old Dogs” reminds me that some movies are just for entertainment, and nothing beyond that. I’m not even quite sure what the point was of this movie really. It is possible that it is just a money maker, as it has made a great deal at the box office. Put John Travolta and Robin Williams in the same movie and you have a guaranteed box office hit. However, a box office hit doesn’t necessarily mean a good movie. In saying that, there are quite a few giggles in it. Unless you were in the same cinema as my partner and I, when it sounded like a lady near as was about to have a heart attack she was laughing so much. It was one of those instances where you aren’t quite sure if the audience finds the movie that funny or the loud lady laughing a strange laugh all the time.

It was interesting seeing a movie full of Travoltas though. Obviously John and Kelly Preston are husband and wife, and their adorable daughter, Ella Bleu is one of the main roles. What you may not know, is that John’s brother and sister are also in the film as two singing waiters. The first thing I thought watching the family on screen, was whether his deceased son, Jett, was also supposed to be in the film. The film is dedicated to his loving memory, which was to be expected. So when I came home I decided to do a bit of research. It turns out that before his death, he had no interest in being in the film, but then, in the same article entitled “Jett Travolta to possibly join family in movie” (http://www.boxxet.com/John_Travolta/news:jett-travolta-to-possibly-join-family-in-movie/) , it said how there may still be a chance he will appear in it. Unfortunately, the original article has been removed from the net so I am unsure what made him almost appear in this film. Either way, the death of Jett is still extremely sad, even a year after the horrible event.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
It is extremely hard to review a film that can only be described as a “nothing” film, which is exactly what “Old Dogs” is. It is predictable, silly and has no depth at all. Outgoing bachelor Charlie (John Travolta) and conservative Dan (Robin Williams) have been best friends for over 30 years and work together for a sports marketing firm. Just as they are about to close a life-changing deal when Dan old flame, Vicki (Kelly Preston) reappears and surprises him by bringing his twin son and daughter which he did not know about. Dan and Charlie look after the children while their mother is in jail, which, of course, causes much mayhem.

There are no surprises in “Old Dogs”. Everything which you think is going to happen does and it is extremely cliché. There are definitely some laughs, but if you have seen the movie trailer, you know where all the laughs will be coming from. The movie is just a Travolta and Williams media vehicle, so you will like the film if you like these two. It is a good film if you want an easy laugh, and are not really in the mood to think. However, apart from that, it is not a very good film at all. It is very, very basic. There is no complexity at all in the script, acting or the direction by Walt Becker. In parts, it can be just annoying and irritating with its predictability and unoriginal jokes.

As far as the acting goes, it is not a stretch at all for Robin Williams. It is a very easy role, not quite as comic as some of his other roles and a bit more serious in the lightest possible way, but still very easy. Travolta actually plays more of the comic role, but is yet another very easy role. Preston is just disappointing as Vicki. She overacts and is just plain silly. Although, Travolta and Preston’s daughter, Ella Bleu is adorable as Dan’s daughter, Emily. She is quite possibly the stand out of the film.

“Old Dogs” is a typical holidays movie. It is not a good movie, but entertaining to a degree. It serves its purpose, and that’s all it really sets out to do. So in that way it is successful and in other ways, it does not come even close.
2/10