I know what you’re thinking when you start to read my Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates review: This is going to be another raunchy Neighbors-type film, seeing that it stars Zac Efron, and is written by the same screenwriters, Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O’Brien. “How could it not be the same ole, same ole?” I was wondering myself. So imagine my surprise when I LOL’ed all the way through. And we’re not just tiny titters–they were actually loud, pound-on-the-armrest guffaws. This is a damn entertaining summer comedy, the perfect counter programming to The Secret Life of Pets, which is being released on the same weekend.

One of the most surprising aspects of the film is that it’s based on a true story published in book form by Mike and Dave Stangle, who are even raunchier on the printed page than they are in the movie. (Yes, it is possible.) The two brothers really did advertise on Craig’s List for wedding dates for a matrimonial weekend in “majestic Saratoga, New York.” When their ad went viral on social media, they received the most bizarre responses.

For the film’s purposes, the sister of these randy bros, played by Efron and Adam DeVine (Modern Family, Pitch Perfect) is getting married in Hawaii. Since the boys’ crazy antics have ruined many a family gathering in the past, their parents sit them down and tell them that they must bring dates who will supposedly keep them in check, or they can’t come at all.

When the bros come across roommates played by Abrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick, they think they’ve found the ideal dates, but little do they know these two party girls are lying, and their own exploits can put the brothers to shame. Watch the trailer and see what craziness ensues — this is one of those rare instances where not all the funny parts show up in the trailer–there are still plenty of outrageous surprises to come.

Is this film award worthy? No. Will it go down in the history books as a comedy classic? Certainly not. But is it an amusing diversion from this summer’s animated hits and superhero fare? You betcha!

Rated R

1 Hour 28 Minutes

Get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES Review — Book It