This Means War MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy. Directed by McG.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Two CIA undercover agents, FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are best friends who suddenly become opponents vying for the heart of Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), a lonely career woman. She has no idea her two new boyfriends know each other, thinking one is a cruise ship captain and the other a travel agent.

PREVIEW REVIEW: FDR and Puck try to convince viewers they are James Bond times two. The opening action scene features them chasing, shooting, killing their targeted assassins while dangling from skyscraper ledges but emerging unscathed, of course. Lauren’s best friend Trish (Chelsea Handler) is a happily married mom who coaches Lauren on how to decide between FDR and Puck. Trish has a potty mouth and a crude sense of humor who advises Lauren to use sex as the tie breaker. A fairly graphic sex scene leaves little to the imagination although it is without nudity.

This Means War may mean the demise of Witherspoon’s love affair with her fans. A 30-something acting like a 15-year-old translates into a woman desperate for love, which is very unattractive. She lies to a former boyfriend to make him jealous and calls Trish at all hours of the night to get advice. That’s what teenagers do, not business executives. Likewise, FDR and Puck behave like teenage boys who thrive on outsmarting each other in their quest to win Lauren’s heart. With their access to surveillance gadgets, each of them can follow her every move at home, eavesdrop every conversation. It’s like they are playing a computer game to prove their manhood; never mind any expression of love or caring. They also perform assassinations as undercover agents with excitement and pride. Explosions, killings, car crashes seem to be part of the job. Along with shallow characters, the dialogue includes several s-words, and a few exclamatory profanities.

If you are looking for a romantic comedy, try Big Miracle, The Artist, or Midnight in Paris (now on DVD).

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: 20th Century Fox