Separating the men from the wolves!

Rating: Null/10 (12 October 2011)

This is a 'wolf pack' movie all the way. What do I mean by Wolf Pack movie? Simply put, a group of famous actors playing a small group of guys ( usually buddies) on a mission where each has a fair share of the agenda, or in this context— the misadventure. The term originated as slang in the late 1980s where actors like Emilio Estevez, Robert Downey Jr, Kiefer Sutherland and even Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon were often referred to as the "Brat Pack", often portraying the young and restless. A second wave of brat packs emerged with the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and few others after the hugely successful "Oceans" franchise. However, films like "Zoolander", "Wedding Crashers" and everything in between, including both versions of The Hangover have actors like Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson and a huge list of emerging others currently referred to as the 'Wolf Pack'.
Movies featuring a wolf pack are usually dark comedies and very often, guy flicks— or men's version of a romantic-comedy, minus the romance of course. With "Horrible Bosses", the wolf pack comprises of Jason Bateman as Nick, Charlie Day as Dale and Jason Sudeikis as Kurt, buddies who can't stand their bosses. Overdue for a promotion, Nick has long endured his psychotic and manipulative boss played by Kevin Spacey. As an assistant, Dale is sexually harassed by his orthodontist boss played by Jennifer Aniston and Kurt has to deal with a racist, drug addicted and cruel boss played by Colin Farrell. When the trio finally decide that enough is enough, they setout on contracting the services of a hit man—a person with an unusual nickname but a person who is about to teach them a lesson they will never forget.
Of the various reasons that make this a 2011 standout comedy, the foremost has to be the ensemble cast. Aside from leads like Bateman, Day and Sudeikis doing what they do best, Spacey, Aniston and Farrell add an extra jab of humor, making this a film where everyone offers a good dose of laughter. If that weren't enough, there is plenty to be had from another lineup of guest appearances. As such, it is hard to place any actor above the rest. But if I was to choose, I would have to stick both thumbs up, one for Charlie Day and the other for Kevin Spacey. While Day's character is rife with slapstick moments, Spacey is a real treat to watch and is the most loathsome of the three bosses. On that note, Aniston is not far behind in a role totally unlike her usual Miss goody-two-shoes. Forget everything other movie you have seen her in; this is Aniston like never before—raunchy, provocative and very, very direct.
After the ill-received "Four Christmases", Seth Gordon has evidently upped a few notches with precise directing and the use of a well edited screenplay. There is clear chemistry between the three leads and Gordon uses this by getting the viewer to like them despite their murderous intentions. From a directional standpoint, this is what makes the plot engaging. Sure, it gets a bit clichéd and overdone towards the end, but if this movie can make you laugh out loud at least thrice, then Gordon has done his job with ample relevance to the genre. I know I did. I also know that given this year's share of wolf pack comedies, "Horrible Bosses" has the edge over "The Hangover Part II".