This Means War

This Means War

(McG, 2012)

Rating: 2.5/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: Forgettable and juvenile, McG's 'This Means War' lost the battle against a flawed script that three charming leads couldn't salvage.
 

---

It's a good - if improbable - premise for a knockaround action comedy: two spies (Tom Hardy & Chris Pine) fall for the same civilian (Reese Witherspoon) and, in a quest to up each other's moves, use up the CIA's resources to their advantage while the oblivious girl makes her made up over which dashing gent she'd prefer.

But for many reasons, McG's take on the material ultimately fails its mission. For a start, the only convincing romance here is the bromance between the two guys who are the least secretive field agents in a long while. Another major concern is what either of them see in Witherspoon's two-timing, clueless and obnoxious product tester or why a fight ensues between the two friends.

Lazily thrown into the background is a subplot about criminal (his intentions are vague) who has a vendetta against the spies, adding a little danger and a few explosions into the third act. Angela Bassett is wasted as the spies' boss and while Chelsea Handler offers relief as Witherspoon's devil-on-the-shoulder friend, she rings as false as the hollow script and lukewarm chemistry.
 
The love triangle is a worn storytelling device at the best of times, and this one isn't going be remembered very well as Witherspoon's career falls, Chris Pine's coasts and Tom Hardy's soars to better projects.

The Blu-ray contains the usual gloss: added/extended/alternate scenes, gag reel and a commentary.

Other film news

Billy Crystal heads to TV with pilot 'The Comedians'

Veteran actor and frequent Oscars host Billy Crystal is heading to TV: the 'City Slickers' star will front a TV sitcom for network FX entitled 'The Comedians'.

'Exhausted' Ang Lee exits TV pilot 'Tyrant'

Oscar winning film Ang Lee has just backed out from directing his first television show - a TV pilot for the FX network called 'Tyrant'.

Cannes Film Festival rocked by $1m jewellery heist

The stars were shining a little dimmer at this year's Cannes Film Festival after a massive jewellery theft robbed the celebs of their jewels.

Pinewood Studios expansion plan axed by local council

Britain's premiere film lot Pinewood Studios, the home to James Bond and Harry Potter, has lost a £200m planning permission bid for a Hollywood-style expansion across 100 acres of green belt land.

'Avengers' stars Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson reassemble for 'Iron Man' director Jon Favreau's indie comedy

The last time Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson appeared in a film together it was a massive studio production that went on to break box office records. Now the 'Avengers Assemble' stars are reteaming for an independent feature.

Angelina Jolie undergoes double mastectomy after cancer tests

Oscar winning actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy after genetic tests revealed that she held a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Comedian Harry Hill's debut film starts shooting, casts Matt Lucas as his twin

'TV Burp' star Harry Hill's film debut has started shooting with himself in the lead and Matt Lucas as his twin brother alongside Sheridan Smith, 'Inbetweeners' star Simon Bird and Oscar winners Jim Broadbent and veteran actress Julie Walters.

Universal pushes back 'Jurassic Park 4'

'Jurassic Park 4' was due to begin production on June 24th for a release date almost exactly a year later, but studio Universal has pushed it back.

Tributes pour in for Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dead at 92

When it comes to optical effects in the movies, few have had a career as iconic as Ray Harryhausen, the special effects pioneer who recently died at 92.

Sequels news: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' get the go-ahead

The bank holiday weekend saw not one but two tentpole franchises get the sequel green lights from their studios: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' are on the cards at Sony and Paramount.

'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer revealed as 'Transformers 4' villain

In somewhat unexpected casting news, TV star Kelsey Grammer (best known as classy radio psychologist Dr Frasier Crane from 'Frasier' and 'Cheers'), has been cast as the lead villain in 'Transformers 4'.

Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender team up for 'MacBeth' film adaptation

First came the news that Michael Fassbender was onboard, and now it's been confirmed that Oscar winner Natalie Portman will be joining him for a new film version of 'MacBeth'.

'Iron Man 3' opening weekend beats 'Avengers Assemble' takings

Marvel/Disney knew they were on to a winner with the third film in the 'Iron Man' franchise but the Robert Downey Jr headliner has exceeded numerous box office estimates by beating 'Avengers Assemble' in its opening weekend figures.

Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt eyed for 'Guys and Dolls' remake

20th Century Fox has finally secured the film rights to the Frank Loesser musical 'Guys and Dolls' after years in legal hell, and now the studio are hoping to bag Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt for the lead roles.

Fox greenlights 'Dodgeball 2' with Ben Stiller onboard

Cult sports comedy 'Dodgeball' is getting the sequel treatment, with original star Ben Stiller's production company onboard alongside distributor 20th Century Fox.

"Deeply embarrassed" Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth jailed for DUI and disorderly conduct

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth were arrested and jailed in the early hours of Friday morning, it was confirmed recently.

Cannes 2013 line-up announced

The official list of nominations for the 2013 Cannes Film Festival have been revealed with a complete lack of British filmmakers/films in the running for the major awards of The Grand Prize and Un Certain Regard honours.

Disney to release a new 'Star Wars' every year

When Disney attended CinemaCon, the news that all the fans and industry types wanted to know about was what was happening with their newly acquired LucasFilm properties - namely the 'Star Wars' franchise.

Stephen King unhappy with 'The Shining' film prequel

Bestselling author Stephen King has stated that he’d be "happy" if Warner's planned film prequel to his 1977 horror novel 'The Shining' "didn’t happen".

'Avengers Assemble' dominates the 2013 MTV Movie Awards

Check out the full list of winners from the 2013 MTV Movie Awards here: