Due Date - B

In theaters. Rated R, 99 minutes. Trailer.

Director Todd Phillips is already in the guy-comedy hall of fame after delivering the goods in Gen-X guy touchstone Old School and the raucous, but not quite as good follow-up The Hangover. The latest entry in the Phillips canon is Due Date, an update of the Planes, Trains and Automobiles concept starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. After a very disappointing showing in Dinner for Schmucks, ZG is back to his hilarious free-form self as Ethan Tremblay, the well-meaning but impossibly clueless and grating wannabe actor. Robert Downey Jr. is Peter Highman, the professional trying to return in time for the birth of his first son when his interactions with Tremblay get both of them kicked off their flight. Click below for more on Due Date:

The guys end up on the no-fly list and Highman's wallet gets lost, so he ends up traveling with Tremblay across the country. They fulfill their respective roles and go through several predictably awkward situations culminating in the requisite bonding and friendship. The chemistry between the two leads is great and there are multiple laugh outloud moments, mostly involving ZG. His delivery and general manner is so unique his bits never get old. Downey provides an excellent straight man to ZG, with the best scene being their fight with Danny McBride's Western Union employee.

The film tries a few times to get sentimental, but it is way too screwball to make it work. At times the plot veers too wildly and is too fantastic, most notably in the "Tremblay proves his worthiness as a friend" scene when he breaks Highman out of prison. If you enjoyed Phillips' prior films, you'll like this as well. A good time is had by all.