I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute with a look at MIKE & NICK & NICK & ALICE on Hulu, directed by BenDavid Grabinski, starring Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, and Eiza Gonzalez. A comedic gangster revenge tale with a sci-fi twist.

 

3 out of 5

 

What an odd little movie! The gangster revenge/betrayal setup feels familiar, but then it throws in sci-fi shenanigans and dialogue digressions that make the movie. Hard to explain, but Gilmore Girls fan will be delighted! The action is cartoony and creative. And the director is an extreme movie fan. I saw obscure references to GHOST and GARGOYLES in here. But there are also significant faults to the film that really drag it down. Vince Vaughn, the lead actor, looks like he is sleepwalking through this movie. I was shocked at his lazy performance. Also, I REALLY dislike all the use of stutter-frame slow-motion, I always think it looks cheap. And, maybe too nerdy, but they go through pains to make the sci-fi stuff logical, but then miss some enormous sci-fi logistical plot holes that take me right out of the film.

 

Best Scene. There is a flashback scene with Marsden and Gonzalez at a wedding that develops some nice chemistry. The song chosen for the scene really heightens the connection between the two. In fact, the soundtrack is all-around excellent, with thoughtful song choices that aren’t often found in films of this kind.

 

Best Performance. Marsden is delightful, and this joyous comedy looks good on Gonzalez. But I am going to go with a bit player here, Jimmy Tatro. His spoiled gangster son character should be a boring cliché, but Tatro keeps pushing him into hilarious, awkward scenes with inspired line readings. His recurring bit about a dumpster was fantastic.

 

This movie serves up off-beat violence with some funny dialogue and good music. Worse ways to spend a movie night!