Rated PG-13 for sexual content including suggestive comments, language and some violence, 110 minutes
"The Bounty Hunter" can't find any laughs
What do you get when you pair two attractive movie stars, a formula script, slack direction and an unfunny, mean-spirited premise? That would essentially sum up the new comedy "The Bounty Hunter," starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston and directed by the guy who made "Hitch" and "Sweet Home Alabama." Predictable, stale and rarely, if ever, amusing, "The Bounty Hunter" doesn't generate any laughs and just might be arrested for being the most disappointing star vehicle of 2010 so far.
A cash-strapped bounty hunter named Milo (Butler) learns that his next target is his ex-wife Nicole (Aniston) an investigative reporter who skipped bail on charges of assaulting a police officer. She's working on a murder cover-up and soon after Milo picks her up to take her to jail, the always-at-odds duo find themselves on a run-for-their-lives adventure throughout New Jersey.
There's not much to go on with "The Bounty Hunter," a dreadful, annoyingly dumb sexist romantic comedy that has a few charming moments, mainly due to the eye-candy leads and a sweet Delta 88 convertible that much like the movie, ends up an unfortunate wreck. If you watch the trailers for the film, you've really seen the best moments, all 2 minutes of them, and you can probably figure out what'll happen from the trailers too. Bickering ex-spouses unwittingly team up to solve a crime whose culprit is right under their noses the whole time.
Butler, still riding that "300" wave as long as he can, is proving that he's vastly overrated and unfunny, no matter how hard he tries. The lovely Aniston, still riding the "Friends" wave as long as she can, is a little better, though she's not allowed to do much that's really amusing. The two make a handsome pair, but share little chemistry and badly misdirected by Andy Tennant, the man behind hits such as "Sweet Home Alabama," "Hitch" and "Fool's Gold," one of the worst romantic comedies in the last 5 years and with remarkably similar themes as "The Bounty Hunter."
The only genuinely amusing scenes come very briefly, with truly funny, underused actors like Jeff Garlin, Christine Baranski and Carol Kane (yes, that Carol Kane from "Taxi") making cameos; Kane in particular is always a treat to watch, as the daffy owner of a bed and breakfast. As for the rest of the film? There's not much to go on here, the foolproof script could've been written by anyone. Butler and Aniston argue. Chase after some or get chased. Argue some more. More chase scenes. A little smooching. More chasing, more arguing and you're done.
"The Bounty Hunter" will likely be a hit the first week to see the attractive leads, until they realize they just paid for a remake of "Fool's Gold" set in New Jersey. Want to enjoy your first weekend of spring? Stay as far away from this movie as possible.
"The Bounty Hunter" can't find any laughs
What do you get when you pair two attractive movie stars, a formula script, slack direction and an unfunny, mean-spirited premise? That would essentially sum up the new comedy "The Bounty Hunter," starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston and directed by the guy who made "Hitch" and "Sweet Home Alabama." Predictable, stale and rarely, if ever, amusing, "The Bounty Hunter" doesn't generate any laughs and just might be arrested for being the most disappointing star vehicle of 2010 so far.
A cash-strapped bounty hunter named Milo (Butler) learns that his next target is his ex-wife Nicole (Aniston) an investigative reporter who skipped bail on charges of assaulting a police officer. She's working on a murder cover-up and soon after Milo picks her up to take her to jail, the always-at-odds duo find themselves on a run-for-their-lives adventure throughout New Jersey.
There's not much to go on with "The Bounty Hunter," a dreadful, annoyingly dumb sexist romantic comedy that has a few charming moments, mainly due to the eye-candy leads and a sweet Delta 88 convertible that much like the movie, ends up an unfortunate wreck. If you watch the trailers for the film, you've really seen the best moments, all 2 minutes of them, and you can probably figure out what'll happen from the trailers too. Bickering ex-spouses unwittingly team up to solve a crime whose culprit is right under their noses the whole time.
Butler, still riding that "300" wave as long as he can, is proving that he's vastly overrated and unfunny, no matter how hard he tries. The lovely Aniston, still riding the "Friends" wave as long as she can, is a little better, though she's not allowed to do much that's really amusing. The two make a handsome pair, but share little chemistry and badly misdirected by Andy Tennant, the man behind hits such as "Sweet Home Alabama," "Hitch" and "Fool's Gold," one of the worst romantic comedies in the last 5 years and with remarkably similar themes as "The Bounty Hunter."
The only genuinely amusing scenes come very briefly, with truly funny, underused actors like Jeff Garlin, Christine Baranski and Carol Kane (yes, that Carol Kane from "Taxi") making cameos; Kane in particular is always a treat to watch, as the daffy owner of a bed and breakfast. As for the rest of the film? There's not much to go on here, the foolproof script could've been written by anyone. Butler and Aniston argue. Chase after some or get chased. Argue some more. More chase scenes. A little smooching. More chasing, more arguing and you're done.
"The Bounty Hunter" will likely be a hit the first week to see the attractive leads, until they realize they just paid for a remake of "Fool's Gold" set in New Jersey. Want to enjoy your first weekend of spring? Stay as far away from this movie as possible.
