The Change-Up

In the latest entry in the body-switch comedy genre (Freaky Friday, All of Me, Big, etc.), the unwitting swappers are immature, irresponsible bachelor Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and uptight, workaholic lawyer Dave (Jason Bateman). Dave and his wife Jamie (Leslie Mann) are the parents of three youngsters, including infant twins. Improbable buddies since childhood, Atlanta-based Mitch and Dave's lives have obviously gone in diametrically different directions. Following a drunken spree, the duo simultaneously mutter “I wish I had your life” and pee in a public fountain featuring a statue of Metis, the Greek goddess of counsel, advice, and planning. Suddenly, there's a lightning bolt, a power failure, and—presto!—the next morning the pair awaken inhabiting each other's bodies. Predictably, as both explore their radically different lifestyles, each discovers that the proverbial grass is not really so green on the other side. Director David Dobkin's The Change-Up is crass, crude, and vulgar, a raunchy repeat of what's been done—far better—before. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director David Dobkin, a “Time for a Change” making-of featurette (7 min.), a deleted scene (7 min.), a gag reel (5 min.), a “Family Matter” scene-specific segment (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a lame comedy.] (S. Granger)