Details from IMDB:
Murder Mystery
A New York cop and his wife go on a European vacation to reinvigorate the spark in their marriage, but end up getting framed and on the run for the death of an elderly billionaire.
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Initial Thoughts:
Last night was the usual couple struggle, trying to figure out a movie to watch (in our case, it must be a comedy, and that’s one of the only movies I enjoy when I’m high). My wife suggested “The Family Plan 2,” but the reviews were so bad that we compromised and went with this one. Besides, what straight guy over 40 doesn’t love Jennifer Aniston?
Main Points:
This is one of those I suspect Adam Sandler under-contract-to-produce-for-Netflix ones, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of laughs here. I should preface this by saying I do enjoy comedies more when I’m high, so if you are willing, able (and legally allowed) to get stoned and watch this, I’d recommend that. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Adam Sandler play a cop before; it’s different and requires a little bit of suspension of disbelief, but once you get past that, he has plenty of funny lines and moments. Jennifer Aniston is doing her best and lands plenty of laughs; she’s really the best part of the movie.
The plot is a strange combination of paint-by-numbers, completely wacky/campy/cheesy, and yet it has, you guessed it, a murder mystery with a couple of twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Keep your eye out for Terrance Stamp, General Zod for geeks of a certain age, in one of his last roles. I wish there were more of him in the film, as he steals the few scenes he’s in. I like how many characters react strongly to the Spitz’s being out of place with this family, but it always gets smoothed over. It’s really the biggest issue with the plot. I’m not sure how they could have been a part of this murder mystery without it being completely random/ridiculous, but I think a better writer could have come up with something.
Final Thoughts:
The movie is just over 1.5 hours, and this was plenty of time for this thin story. I laughed at some super-obvious product placements, including scenes which prominently feature Formula 1 racing (and yes, it is a plot point why it’s there and how it relates to a character). All that said, I love a good car chase, and it was fun to see Jennifer Aniston’s character driving (instead of the husband/boyfriend/hero/man). They both have a little bit of character growth, and I found myself laughing and entertained by the film’s absurdity, as is the case with a lot of Sandler fare. All that said, I can only give it 6.5 out of 10, and a mild recommendation. Some violence/blood and a little coarse language (and there is one scene which is a little gory), so ages 14+.