Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice keeps it funny and brutal all to a surprising soundtrack that reflects the quirkiness of the characters.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is a film that falls between stupid good and stupid bad. However, thankfully, it leans more toward the latter. Not all the jokes land. But many of the deadpan delivery finds purchase in the viewer’s funny bone. And it’s easy to see why. Imagine an awkward criminal. Next, make that an entire organization filled with inept men. Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice keeps it funny and brutal all to a surprising soundtrack that reflects the quirkiness of the characters.
BenDavid Grabinski (Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) both directs and writes the screenplay of this oddball action comedy. Plus, it stars James Marsden (Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Knox Goes Away) as Mike. The film follows him, Eiza González (3 Body Problem, Spirit Untamed) as Alice and Vince Vaughn (Easy’s Waltz, Freaky) as Mike…and Mike, over a night of absolute mayhem in the criminal underworld as they work to resolve a deadly threat.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice Wants You to Sit Back and Enjoy
This is a film that’s about fun but adds a touch more. As such, it’s only right to open with a science whiz singing Billy Joel’s “Why Should I Worry?” from the animated film Oliver & Company. Through the soundtrack, the film seems to reflect the personalities, or personas, of the characters. So for one character you’ll hear (and sing along) to an animated movie, while for another one you’ll immerse yourself in the nu metal stylings of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort.” So the movie traverses the decades with its musical choices, and each one, whether you know it or not, presents a catchy time as fun or chaos plays out on screen. It might remind you of some long-forgotten songs you must include on your playlist.
Surprisingly Sharp Action
Aside from the shock of how compact, breath-catching many of the fisticuffs and gunplay are in Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, there is an additional layer of surprise thanks to how resilient, Terminator-like Vince Vaughn’s character is. It’s hilarious because, given Vince Vaughn’s affability and humor in so many roles like Swingers and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Moreover, it’s still a shock when you realize he is a big man. In fact, it did not occur to me until I saw him play the creepy serial killer in Freaky, watching him lift girls into the air for slaughter.
Awkward Humor That Lands
The level of awkward conversations is inescapable and hilarious. From crime kingpin, Sosa, played by the legendary Keith David (Finding Faith, Portal to Hell) having a conversation with his son, Jimmy Boy, played by Jimmy Tatro (California King, You’re Cordially Invited), where his son gets hung up on the rats possibility to his son having a conversation with Dumbass Tony, played by Arturo Castro (Operation Taco Gary’s, The Menu) regarding the loss of his best sexual performance years, it’s always a surprise. So, it’s impossible to guess where the conversations often head. While that can sometimes be a curse because that means the film lacks basic sense, with Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, it ensures there’s never a dull moment.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice mixes unexpected laughs, catchy songs from different decades, and moving moments with amazing action scenes. This one’s a film I’d rewatch to catch all the comedy and sing along to my favorite songs. Plus, the humor is out of left field, leaving you wondering about the minds and thoughts of the characters. Whether it’s the bromance of awkward criminals bonding or the hilarious phrases like “you’re behind you,” Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice delights with a standout comedic action film that’s light and breezy.
