Identity Thief

Identity Thief

Rated R and Released 2/8/13

Reviewed 2/12/13 at Isis Theatre in Aspen, CO

with Gary and Leigh

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

I had nearly all the family together; Danelle, Brandon, Aaron and Gary, but I had to wait for the three to leave before we could see a movie as they all adamantly nixed the idea. What's wrong with them!? Their loss. So Gary, Leigh and I saw this flick at the Isis Theatre in downtown Aspen.

While inside the theatre itself, it has the flavor we like (comfortable and roomy seats), but on everything else they miss the mark. It's not like our frequented Celebration North (CN). I am guessing not many stream into this theatre like us hardcore movie goers. The lobby is about as big as the bathroom at CN. At the crown jewel CN, Gary and I really like filling our own drinks and buttering our own popcorn. This is inadequately done for you at Isis.

There is no place like home!

Jason Bateman's (playing the comical Sandy Bigelow Patterson) namesake lends for an easy target for a woman to steal his identity. The hilarious Melissa McCarthy ingeniously plays the professional identity thief Diana. Bateman with his dry comedic lines and McCarthy with her laugh out loud scenes,

make this movie a worthwhile trip. McCarthy stole it in Bridesmaids and this is no different. Unfortunately though, there are some big name supporters - Eric Stonestreet (Cam, Modern Family), Jon Favreau, Robert Patrick, Amanda Peet - that are unwisely wasted.

Patterson, who lives in Colorado, is about to sink under a mountain of debt thanks to Diana easily stealing his identity in Winter Park, Florida. As a result, Sandy is falsely arrested and about to lose his job. The police give him no help under the ever-flowing river of red tape and leave him to his own devices. Patterson decides to take matters into his own hands and busts down to Florida to track down his identity stealer. He is hell bent on dragging her back home to clear his name. Their unlikely trek across the country shakes out some of the funniest moments in spite of the ridiculousness. The pair are pursued by a few unsavory characters that are hot on forcing Diana to face the music back in Florida. Not over Sandy Bigelow Patterson's dead body! In spite of a few major hang-ups - kidnapped by the Robert Patrick character, car accidents, losing their money and phone - they make it back to Patterson's hometown. Don't get me wrong, the movie does have some draggy parts. Gary and I both felt 10 to 15 minutes could be cut, but to no surprise it does wrap up in a tidy little package. I'm always disappointed when movie studios show all the funny scenes in the previews, and this is no different. All the while this is a worthy comedy that will have you repeating some of the outrageous lines that McCarthy spews out.

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJj