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Last Vegas (2013), PG-13, 3 stars

Douglas, De Niro, Freeman, and Kline in the Hangover: Part 43. Ok, jk.
Well, you can't stop having fun when you are older. I mean, reunions are really a special event because you can have conversations about present times and memories with older friends and go forward where left off. The substantial array of current events can fascinate or anger a person due to normal and grudging circumstances. The particular array of current events is relevant to the four characters in this movie. Why not see four great actors and a great actress be in one movie having fun in Las Vegas? I mean, why not?

The movie begins with 4 12-year old friends in a photo booth at a store. One friend gets teased by an older boy and when another friend hits him, he says that no one calls him names but themselves. So, it's kind of a warm moment, I guess. The movie fast forwards 58 years later. Sam (Kevin Kline) is married in Florida and is bored. Archie (Morgan Freeman) just suffered a stroke and is kept watch by his son. Paddy (Robert De Niro) is grieving over the death of his wife, Sophie. Billy (Michael Douglas) is living with his younger girlfriend in Malibu and he proposes during a eulogy at a funeral. Huh, kind of a mistimed moment, don't you think?

Billy calls Archie and Sam to tell them that he is getting married, but does not call Paddy. It is implied and revealed that Billy and Paddy had an argument. The three agree to have a bachelor party in Vegas, but Archie and Sam have to find the way to escape their routined lives. An example is when Archie has to escape and we all think that it is going to be a long way down for Archie to escape, but, well, it's just a step.

The two friends pick up Paddy on the way to Vegas, not telling Billy. It took a lot of persuasion for him to come, but eventually and reluctantly accepts. When they come to Vegas, Billy reunites with them at the baggage claim, but Paddy is not amused because of an unfortunate event. Paddy tells Billy that he did not come to his wife's funeral and they argue again. But, as the argument between Billy and Paddy calmed down hilariously by Archie, the vacation begins.

Douglas and De Niro's characters argue while Freeman and Kline's characters look on.
I have to admit and confess that this movie is actually better than the Hangover sequels. This movie has a lot of cliched jokes about Viagra and stuff, but, the actors really take over the material demonstrating how good they really are. I do notice that all four actors are not really at the same age range, but it does not matter. All of the actors are good, especially Mary Steenburgen as a bar singer. I think the best moment in the movie was Freeman dancing. I think that was just wonderful to see him having a good time.

The movie does not really hold up in the beginning in the movie where everybody has to meet up and talk to one another and set up the bachelor party and the ending is just corny with sentimentality. But, most of the movie works when they are actually together in Vegas. It is just fun to see the actors having a great time. I am not giving a positive review just because of the presence of the four actors, but, it is because of the funny dialogue and material placed in most of the movie and how the movie is carried along.

Jon Turteltaub of National Treasure fame is not the best director to pick for this material, but he did a good job of pacing the movie in the middle part. It is a watchable, entertaining Vegas movie, but not quite in the league of the first Hangover or Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven. Just have a good time watching the five legends have fun in Vegas.

***

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