It’s easy to rip into a body-swap comedy. You know that that the film will involve two people not understanding each other’s lifestyle until suddenly something happens and lo-and-behold they’ve sporting their counterpart’s skin. It’s a situation they’ll each be infuriated with at first but will grow to appreciate it before realising that maybe the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. While it normally sounds like decent, wholesome fare that carries a poignant message, after It’s a Boy Girl Thing, The Hot Chick, a trio of Freaky Fridays and a host of other films banging out the same story, it’s safe to say that the theme is well and truly knackered.
Seeing as the disdain for the sub-genre is pretty much universal, you have to admire the balls of David Dobkin and co. in making The Change-Up. Dusting off the premise and a trying to breathe a bit of new life into it is no easy feat especially in an age where recent comedies have been utter gold. Nevertheless, as far as body-swapping films go, The Change-Up is actually not as bad as you’d understandably expect.
Yes, the plot is as lazy as they come and it doesn’t deviate from its well-worn course, but on the plus side it’s merely used as a framework to hang some side-splitting gags for the first third anyway. After that chuckle-ridden first act though, the film’s enjoyability takes a big hit as the humour is suddenly thrust onto the back burner in favour of trying to flesh out a plot that nobody gives a toss about.
Still, as far as Friday night knockabout comedies go, there are far worse out there. Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman play Mitch and Dave best friends whose lives have taken them down very different paths. Mitch is a freewheeling serial shagger without a care in the world while Dave is a respectable family man. Longing for a taste of each other’s life, their shared dream comes true when they piss into a fountain and switch bodies. Cue two hours of overly familiar fun as they get to grips with their situation.
As I say though, it’s not too bad as the leads deliver their performances with the likeability you’ve come to expect. Similarly, Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde pass muster as the leads’ scorching other halves. Nevertheless, while you can polish it up, The Change-Up is still a formulaic, albeit raunchier and funnier, comedy that’ll be just too predictable for some to stomach. However, if you hadn’t already passed sentence on the film upon reading the term “body-swap, then maybe check it out as it just may raise a laugh or two. Don’t expect wonders though.
Overall Verdict: As far as body-swap tales go, it’s up there with the best… that’s not saying much though.
Special Features:
Theatrical Feature & Extended Feature
Fist Fight deleted scene
Gag Reel
Reviewer: Jordan Brown