Movie Review: Due Date

Courtney Gordon
Hollywood really seems to be cranking out the comedies lately. With the economy in its current state, I guess they hope that some much needed laughs will entice viewers to the movie theaters to spend what little cash they have left over after bills. “Due Date” has had a lot of previews on television and at the theater. With all the hype, I was expecting it to be as good as “The Hangover,” (comedy-wise) but was slightly disappointed. “Due Date” has some familiar actors and actresses that include Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man”), Zach Galifianakis (“The Hangover”), Jamie Foxx (“Valentine’s Day”), and Michelle Monaghan (“Eagle Eye”).

Peter Highman (Downey Jr.) is out of town and gets on an airplane, expecting to fly back to his pregnant wife, Sarah (Monaghan), who is due very soon. He is flying home a week before the planned C-section, or so he thought. Through a series of very unfortunate events, he meets a man named Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis) who’s a little…off. Meeting someone new wouldn’t seem like a big deal, but Ethan manages to get them both kicked off of the flight and added to the no fly list. You think that’s bad? Add into the mix that Peter’s wallet was left on the plane, so he has no money and no identification and he’s on the other side of the U.S. We all know where this is leading to. Ethan didn’t forget his wallet and offers to give Peter a ride to Los Angeles. There are more twists and turns then you could possibly imagine on this wild road trip to L.A., and they’re all due to Ethan’s “special” attributes. Now the question isn’t if he’ll get home to the expecting wife on time, it’s will he get home at all, or make it anywhere alive?


“Due Date” should undeniably be on your list of must-see movies. It isn’t one that’s absolutely necessary to see in a movie theater though. Yes, there are a few scenes that are extra laugh-tastic on a bigger screen, but for the sake of saving money, you can wait to see it on DVD if you want to keep your pocketbook a little fatter. There is no question though, this movie will keep you laughing and wondering what else Ethan could do to further screw up Peter’s trip home. Will it make you think or give you anything but laughter? Probably not. I give this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars.