[REVIEW: In Theaters] THE WAY WAY BACK (8/10)

The Way Way Back is a unique summer fun movie – there have been films about wayward kids working in amusement parks (Adventureland) or water parks before (Middle of Nowhere), but The Way Way Back, unlike Grown Ups 2 is a uniquely insightful comedy. Written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (who co-star as employees at the Water Wizz park), the film follows Duncan (Liam Jones), an introverted teen who is challenged to come into his own by Trent (Steve Carell), the boyfriend of his single mom (Tony Collette). In the opening scene Trent asks Duncan, on a scale of 1-10 what he is, telling the boy he’s a 3 – encouraging him to open up. For Duncan, who never really had a strong, present, father figure – he’s not ready for male bonding and harsh criticism at this fragile state in his development.

Cut the beach house – a lot of day drinking (and weed smoking) occurs as the adults treat this few week retreat as spring break. Duncan is witnesses a world he can’t quite comprehend and retreats into himself – riding around all day by himself. He meets Owen (Sam Rockwell) who takes him under his wing, offering him a job at Water Wizz.

The Way Way Back has a lot of familiar beats, but ultimately is winning, good natured, upbeat and realistic. Here even the bad guys (the adults) are sympathetic: they don’t have all of the answers; they are average, ordinary flawed beings. Carell is as perfect as usual playing, like his legendary Michael Scott, a character who is unaware of the gravity of what he’s doing and saying. Toni Collette’s Pam is also well drawn, hardworking women who needs a vacation and time around adults, we sense she’s given up a great deal for Duncan.

Rounding out the cast, Amanda Peet and Rob Corddry star as friends of Trent: again, they play realistic drinking buddies, summer friends that share the good times (before they get dark, as they do periodically) and AnnaSophia Robb as Duncan’s required love interest (it’s a sweet story thread, I’ll forgive it). Faxon and Rash have crafted a delightful summer comedy that preserves a strange, awkward and funny summer for Duncan – a good kid who could use a mentor like Owen. Sure you could see Grown Ups 2, but The Way Way Back is a more fulfilling experience on pretty much every level.

Screening: Dipson Amherst, Dipson Eastern Hills

[In Theaters: REVIEW] Despicable Me 2 (7/10)

Who doesn’t love Despicable Me? Certainly not I – the previous film was one of biggest delights of the summer of 2010 and Gru is back for 2013: no objections here. As with all sequels a little of the magic is lost, but in a classic Hollywood move Despicable Me 2 (and the upcoming feature spin off Minions) gives us more of what we liked, here we get more minions: and what weird and wonderful little worker bees they are. They do it all from tending to household matters around Gru’s house (including tending to Gru’s adopted daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes) to running his new legit business – jams. They also later surface in a complete act of subversion performing as The Village People.

Despicable Me 2, like the first one is a rare animated film that’s worth seeing in 3D (now if only that roller coaster ride from the first one was in DBox as well as 3D….although I have some issues with DBox, but those stem from the fact we at the Buffalo Movie Blog see lots of movies) – opening with a heist at the Arctic Circle, Gru (Steve Carell) is called upon by Agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) of the Anti-Villain League (and her boss – Agent Ramsbottom – a perfect Steve Coogan) to investigate a secret chemical that’s gone missing and has been located at a megamall. Gru is sent undercover as the owner of a sweets shop, Bake My Day.

The story progresses pretty much as you may imagine with some nice visual gags, but those damn minions are were the action is at. I almost wish kids movies would just continue with silly gags and forgo the plot (then again that’s all kinds of dangerous – ever see that TV show Family Guy?). Also delightful is Gru’s domestic life – including his stint as Gru-ella, a ferry princess at little Agnes’ birthday. Some of the best gags you’ve seen in the trailers, but there’s more where that came from: director’s Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, along with screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio keep the energy level up for the film’s whole running time right to the closing credits (which contain another great 3D gag like the first one did).

Despicable Me 2 works, even it takes a break from the fun for the plot- and even those moments have some nice visual gags and minions. Those little guys could do anything and I’d have a smile on my face.

Screening: Dipson Market Arcade, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, Regal Hollywood, Transit Drive In, Palace Hamburg