Last Vegas

Starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline, this senior citizen comedy reunites the Flatbush Four—best friends who grew up together in Brooklyn. The occasion is a bachelor party for wealthy womanizing Billy (Douglas), who is set to marry his gorgeous thirtysomething girlfriend. That prospect rouses interest from Sam (Kline), who's terminally bored at a Florida retirement community; Archie (Freeman), who is being held for health surveillance by his overly-protective son; and grieving widower Paddy (De Niro), a cranky curmudgeon who also harbors a serious grudge against Billy. In Sin City, the geezer quartet gloms onto Diana (Mary Steenburgen), a sassy lounge singer searching for happiness in life's second act. While gambling in the hotel casino as they wait for rooms, Archie scores at blackjack, ultimately catapulting the group into a palatial penthouse suite newly available when rapper 50 Cent cancels his reservation. Naturally, what follows is one of the wildest parties Vegas has ever witnessed as the foursome work out their respective emotional issues. Amiably directed by Jon Turteltaub, Last Vegas is chockfull of good-humored one-liners—such as when Archie describes Red Bull as “getting drunk and electrocuted at the same time”—along with some predictable situations (as when the elders judge a poolside bikini contest). Disarmingly slick and spicy, this Baby Boomer comedy is a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Jon Turteltaub and writer Dan Fogelman, the production featurettes "It's Going to be Legendary" (3 min.), "Four Legends" (3 min.), and "The Flatbush Four" (2 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the behind-the-scenes segments "Shooting in Sin City" (3 min.), "The Redfoo Party" with LMFAO member Redfoo (2 min.), and "Supporting Ensemble" (2 min.), as well as bonus DVD and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven but often engaging comedy.] (S. Granger)