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First he was a sweat hog, then a wild hog. Now, John Travolta's one of the "Old Dogs."
That's the title of his newest comedy -- hitting the box office Friday.
He and Robin Williams play best friends whose lives are turned upside just on the verge of the biggest business deal of their careers. But, is "Old Dogs" the best career move for the Travolta or Williams?
As lifelong friends and business partners, Charlie and Dan operate a very successful sports marketing business and are on the brink of landing the biggest deal of their careers. It's a chance to go international.
But as fate would have it, Dan, the Robin Williams character, discovers that his very brief annulled marriage, a fling really, seven years earlier with the lovely Vicky, played by Kelly Preston, has produced twins. Of course, all this unfolds on the eve of their presentation to the Japanese businessmen who hold the key to their futures.
Of course, Vicky ends up in dire need of Dan's help while she has to do some jail time for environmental activism. Guess who ends up babysitting for two full crucial weeks? You got it -- the old dogs, Charlie and Dan, who are very set in their ways.
While not much is original here, Travolta and Williams have a chemistry and charm that is hard to resist as they deliver familiar bits and a lot of slapstick silliness. The supporting cast is amazing -- Seth Green, Anne Margaret, Matt Dillon, Rita Wilson and sadly, a last performance from Bernie Mac.
This is the first movie for the Travoltas since the death of their son, and it appears that they received more than just a little help from their friends on this one.
This movie isn't going to be considered a comedic classic. No one is going to be raving about it at the Academy Awards. But I had a lot of fun watching "Old Dogs." I'm giving it a solid three stars. It's rated PG and that means it's pretty much OK for the entire family.
