OLD DOGS

OLD DOGS: “You’ll never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.” P.T. Barnum’s quote has been tossed around for years, but Old Dogs seems to have made it into a mission statement. Less a movie than a collection of deleted scenes from The Game Plan that were too embarrassing even for The Rock, director Walter Becker, who shepherded Wild Hogs to box-office glory a few years ago, strips every actor in the film of their inherent appeal. Travolta is obnoxious, Robin Williams is reserved, and bit players like Dax Shephard, Justin Long, and Matt Dillon walk through on their way to a better movie. Forced into taking care of the biological children he didn’t know he had, Dan (Williams) recruits his egotistical buddy, Charlie (Travolta), to help him through navigate the perils of fatherhood. Much of the alleged comedy hinges on the guys being mistaken for grandparents, but both actors (Travolta especially) still make their living as perpetually young Hollywood icons so the joke never quite connects. The only real moments of levity come when the guys accidently swap medications…and the unfortunate side-effects that come with them. But by the time Seth Green is singing Air Supply in the arms of a guy in a gorilla suit, you’re either laughing or crying. There’s really no in-between. Disney’s Blu-ray combo pack comes with three different ways to watch the film, plus commentary, bloopers and a music video.