Jake Szymanski's film, **Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates**, struggles to find substance beyond a superficial premise about two brothers needing dates for their sister’s wedding. The movie fails to rise above the level of a monotonous and mediocre comedy, relying on tired jokes and cheap laughs that feel manufactured. Raunchy comedies often depend on luck, but this one won't be remembered alongside classics like _Fast Times at Ridgemont High_, _Porky’s_, or the _American Pie_ series anytime soon. The film feels sluggish and crass, attempting to present itself as inspired lunacy, but ultimately comes across as a pointless exercise in profanity. While it doesn’t sink to the depths of something like _Dirty Grandpa_ (which also featured Zac Efron and Aubrey Plaza), that's not saying much for its own merits. Many modern comedies aimed at young audiences fall into the trap of prioritizing shock value over coherence or purpose, resulting in a sloppy and unfocused experience. Filmmakers seem more interested in pushing boundaries with recycled gags than crafting a story with substance. The director essentially throws ideas at the wall hoping something will stick. Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron) are mischievous brothers who constantly cause trouble for their exasperated parents, Burt and Rosie (Stephen Root and Stephanie Faracy). Their sister, Jeannie (Sugar Lyn Beard), seems to be the only one with a stable life, preparing for her wedding. The brothers are then given an ultimatum by their parents: find respectable dates or miss out on Jeannie’s wedding. This plot point feels contrived; why would they care enough to change their behavior simply to attend their sister's ceremony? Mike and Dave begin searching for suitable companions, but their efforts prove fruitless until an online ad seeking “nice girls” for a Hawaiian trip attracts attention. Among the applicants are Alice and Tatiana (Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza), who initially present themselves as ideal dates. However, they quickly reveal their true nature—wild and outspoken women—forcing Mike and Dave to deal with their deception. Despite being visually appealing, Alice and Tatiana fail to meet the expectations of being proper companions for the brothers. They’re anything but sweet, and must conceal their personalities if they want a free trip to Hawaii. Predictably, they revert to their true selves, creating complications for Mike and Dave. The film aimed to be a lighthearted comedy searching for its comedic rhythm, but instead relies on tired jokes, predictable gags, and crass humor that fails to genuinely entertain. Everything about the movie feels artificial and forced. While the main characters are intended to be chaotic messes, the entire production unintentionally embodies that description for different reasons. Zac Efron seems trapped in a familiar pretty-boy persona, reminiscent of his role in _Neighbors_, one of the few films he’s been involved with worth mentioning. Adam Devine is grating as the awkward brother, and Anna Kendrick doesn't convincingly portray a “decent date for hire.” Aubrey Plaza, however, manages to bring some authenticity to her portrayal of a rebellious character. It’s disappointing that **Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates** couldn't offer anything new or challenging to the genre, relying instead on tired clichés and predictable humor. Watching their antics on screen is enough to declare this entire experience a dating disaster. **Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)** 20th Century Fox 1 hr. 38 mins. Starring: Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Stephen Root, Stephanie Faracy, Sugar Lyn Beard Directed by: Jake Szymanski MPPA Rating: R Genre: Comedy Critic’s rating: * ½ stars (out of 4 stars) Frank Ochieng © 2016

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