Review of Why Him? (2016) by Junelkean — 25 Jan 2018

There's so many problems in the society today. But the biggest question is, "Why Him?" Bryan Cranston and James Franco set on a showdown in what might be one of the most overused storyline in any comedy movie. We've seen this type of material before - the conflict between young and old, and the wars between son-in-law and father-in-law. And yes, the movie Why Him? uses that formula in majority. But would we forgive it?

The positives first, Cranston and Franco's dynamic is a mixture of slapstick comedy and juvenile humor. In fact, if they're chemistry doesn't deliver, the movie doesn't work. But fortunately, it does work with a plenty amount of laughs. Director John Hamburg creates a strong foundation in every scene, together with his talented performers. Thus successfully establishing a believable relationship among its characters.

For some negatives, Franco's character as this rich foul-mouthed lover and Keagan Michael-Key as the semi-annoying butler seem like cartoonish and over-the-top foolish. By the end, the movie also loses its steam as it resolves its main conflict in a corny way.

VERDICT: At the end of the day, Why Him? does not reinvent the wheel by any means. But the wheel here, rolls pretty good.