Billy (Michael Douglas) Paddy (Robert De Niro) Archie (Morgan Freeman) and Sam (Kevin Kline) have been best friends since childhood. So when Billy the groups sworn bachelor finally proposes to his thirty-something (of course) girlfriend the four head to Las Vegas with a plan to stop acting their age and relive their glory days. However upon arriving the four quickly realize that the decades have transformed Sin City and tested their friendship in ways they never imagined. The Rat Pack may have once played the Sands and Cirque du Soleil may now rule the Strip but its these four who are taking over Vegas.
Review
Without being nasty or vulgar LAST VEGAS is humorous and heartfelt. This movie celebrates friendship especially among four friends who have known each other for more than 50 years. The camaraderie exhibited by these stars is enviable as well as appreciated. They have enjoyed much and suffered much in their lives apart and together. The movie doesn't dwell on the negative but it does unfold at a comfortable pace. The actors are perfect for their roles and each relishes the part he plays. The supporting actors are able to enjoy their time on screen whether it is for five or fifty minutes. This movie is about family too and grown children might understand their parents better seeing this film with or without them.
This is definitely a movie for mature audiences children will not understand some of the jokes and parents will become red faced explaining them. In fact children will probably want to avoid this movie at all costs. Young people from 18 to 30 may not appreciate the depth of the friendships exhibited by these four friends and they may misunderstand the difficulty of these "old folks" performing some of the day to day antics that they take for granted dancing drinking picking up women. Getting old is neither easy nor fun but it beats the alternative!
Some may refer to this as HANGOVER on Viagra. I prefer to think of it as "HOW TO ENJOY OLD AGE WITH A BANG." Or maybe it's a first not last hurrah to be repeated annually by anyone over 60.