Childhood friends Adam (John Cusack), Nick (Craig Robinson) and Lou (Rob Corddry) have grown apart as adults, but decide to take a trip to their favorite ski resort, Klondike Valley, for old time's sake. Adam brings his millenial nephew, Jacob (Clark Duke) along to show him how great the outside world is but the quartet find the resort has practically fallen apart. The only thing that still works as they remember is the hot tub in their suite. Unfortunately, Lou spills his illegal Russian energy drink on the controls and accidentally sends them all back in time to 1986. The three originals find themselves back in their younger bodies, while Jacob remains the same. Now they must navigate through that fateful weekend without drastically altering their future, while a cryptic repairman (Chevy Chase) works on the hot tub.
This was way better than I thought it was going to be. I was afraid it was going to try and directly parody every 80's movie ever made but it sticks with allusions instead, showing us characters bringing pop culture to life in a way that feels much more natural while still being a solid trope. So, of course, there is a small-minded bully named Blaine (Sebastian Stan) who is the leader of the "cool" group, who hates the protagonists on sight. But instead of making him a direct parody of Roy Stalin from Better Off Dead or that Cobra Kai asshole from Karate Kid, Blaine is just a guy who has seen Karate Kid and Red Dawn a bunch of times. We all know somebody like that. Although, I will say it was weird to see the Winter Soldier himself talking about invading Russians.
I am not a physical comedy person but John Cusack and Clark Duke carried this movie for me. Supporting ladies Lyndsy Fonseca and Lizzy Caplan aren't given a lot to do but I can forgive that. I don't think this is the be-all-end-all of comedies but it wasn't something I have to drink to forget, so there's that.
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