Four old and long-time friends meet in Las Vegas for a bachelor party before the Rich Playboy (Michael Douglas) settles down and marries a 30ish woman. The group also includes Paddy (Robert DeNiro), Sam (Kevin Kline) and Archie (Morgan Freeman). They're all on Social Security, and rather geezerish, so you might expect the usual old-guy-Viagra-high-blood-pressure jokes. And you'll get them, as well as much more that you didn't expect. One thing you probably don't expect is a potential romantic interest who's in her 60s, the shimmering Diana (Mary Steenburgen).
Here's what the critics are saying:
Though coming off at times like Adam Sandler’s “Grown-ups,” only with Oscar winners, “Last Vegas” is a genial little comedy for the crowd it’s intended for. While the movie may have a sleepy script and jokes that were musty more than a decade ago, it also has amiable, warm-cocoa performances from Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline. That’s five Academy Awards right there. Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
From a distance, "Last Vegas" looked like something not worth seeing, sentimental, not very funny, glossing over the real issues surrounding the shift into old age ... but no. "Last Vegas" is an entertaining movie with a lot of integrity, and it gives all of its actors - all heavyweights and Oscar winners - real moments to dig in and play something. Mick LaSalle, San Franciso Chronicle
Nothing much, that is, apart from four exceptionally interesting actors, who bring charm and professionalism to a project that requires very little of them. If you approach “Last Vegas” expecting an emotionally engaging, in any way surprising, moviegoing experience, you will be disappointed. But if you want the equivalent of an old-fashioned television variety show — a Very Special Evening with Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline — you might not have such a bad time. A.O. Scott, the New York Times
If you saw "The Hangover" and thought, "I would enjoy this film more if nothing of consequence happened, and it were clean enough to screen at a retirement home," then "Last Vegas" is custom made for your needs. Written by Dan Fogleman and directed by Jon Turtletaub ("National Treasure"), this tale of four old buddies reuniting in Las Vegas is what you might call "low-impact" comedy. There's really nothing to it except sentimental shtick. Matt Zoller Seitz, Roger Ebert.Com
Nevertheless, seeing 60- and 70-somethings ogle 20-year-old women and judge a bikini contest is a little hard to take. But this is broad comedy, after all. The movie aims to do little more than serve up laughter. Even the sentimental moments are couched with punch lines. All in all, “Last Vegas” is a brisk and goofy adventure that manages to mine fanny packs and big white tennies for more laughter than it should. Maybe baby boomer bridesmaids wouldn’t be so bad. Stephanie Merry, The Washington Post
Director Jon Turteltaub's signal accomplishment here is to have created a congenial environment in which the actors could bond and have fun within proper boundaries. The foursome's approach to these uncomplicated characters is at once relaxed and alert, loose and quick on their toes; they're just darn good company for a couple of hours, both when they're rejecting the usual expectations to act their age but especially when they're working through emotional issues for which even decades of experience provide inadequate preparation. Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter
"Last Vegas" is rated PG-13 and runs 104 minutes.
It's playing at Beechwood Stadium 11 and Carmike Cinemas 12 in Athens.
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