From the standpoint of storytelling, Date Movie gets it's laughs across, but never really seems to keep you yearning for the next cruel and repetitive joke. It is almost as if you are sitting in the theater, enjoying your overpriced Snowcaps and "only a quarter more" uber-sized dose of sugar water waiting for this movie to get funny. And then it ends.
The Acting
While this really isn't much of a story, it is meant to be the tale of Julia, played by the awkward comedic genius of Alyson Hannigan, and the over-the-top Hugh Grant wannabe Adam Campbell. Hannigan delivers another seemingly innocent depiction of the girl who is more on the inside than she is on the outside. Similar to her character from American Pie, she is nearly schizophrenic as she battles between the chubby, self loathing version of Julia, and the slim, sexy go getter who chases down and brutally tackles her dream of being swept off her feet by her own Prince Charming. In the end, she is the reason this movie delivers any laughs at all. Her facial expressions and natural innocence are the right ingredients to bring humor to an otherwise off-key affair. The supporting cast is a familiar one, including Anchorman's Fred Willard, Eddie Griffin, and Mrs. Stiffler herself, Jennifer Coolidge, whose role in these types of movies seems all too redundant. While overall the performances of Date Movie were tolerable, I still think that it was the story that flushes this poop humor down the metaphorical toilet.
Behind the Scenes
Visually the film achieves a moderate level of intrigue. It is shot much like every other parody that I have ever seen, which detracts from any quality that may have previously existed. The soundtrack, on the other hand, is surprisingly fitting. One notable highlight is the rock ballad that rolls right into a play on the Darth Vader theme song during the transformation of Julia montage. Creative to say the least.
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