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.
 

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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.

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