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In recent years, there has been lots of “edgy” comedians that have started to rethink their careers as they have gotten older. They have often decided to tone down their comedy to become “family-friendly”. The reason for that is simple: money. Twenty years ago, no one would have imagined that Eddie Murphy would star in at least one funny and semi-successful “family comedy” in Daddy Day Care. The same can be said for Martin Lawrence. Unfortunately for Lawrence, Murphy has also starred in several “family comedy” duds. But Lawrence still appears to be determined to find a winning formula for a “family comedy” as he just keeps making these types of films in recent years. Maybe pairing him up with Disney star Raven-Symoné in a Disney-produced film, slapping on a G rating, throwing in a cute pig, and calling the film College Road Trip will work.
In College Road Trip, Martin Lawrence stars as police Chief James Porter, the over protective father of Melanie (Raven-Symoné). Melanie is graduating high school and just got an interview with the admission council at Georgetown, located 700 miles away from the family home. Melanie plans on taking a weekend road trip with her friends (Brenda Song and Margo Harshman). But James refuses her to go unless he takes her in his police jeep with an unannounced stop at Northwestern. So off they go on a road trip, along with stowaways, Melanie’s super smart scientist brother Trey (Eshaya Draper) and super smart pet pig Albert, to help restore frayed bonds, but also to keep a close eye on his beloved daughter. It doesn’t take long for the vacation to turn into a nightmare, leaving James in a permanent state of panic as he fights to keep Melanie on a leash, deal with fellow strident parents (Donny Osmond), and confront his own growing sense of empty nest syndrome.
Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné are actually quite believable as father and daughter. They both over-act in this film, but the outlandish nature of film is a perfect fit for both actors. Donny Osmond is definitely over-the-top and almost playing a parody of himself, but that actually works and he is quite funny. But honestly they all get upstaged by a pig. When a pig almost gets as much screen time as the two leading stars, you know that a film is in trouble. However, this is a Disney film so what kind of comedy would this be without some animal antics.
You can’t really fault the actors for their performances here. The director and writers don’t help them that much. The director of College Road Trip, Robert Kumble, has previously directed such R-rated comedies as Cruel ntentions, The Sweetest Thing, and Just Friends. So to say that he seems like an odd choice for a G-rated Disney family comedy is an understatement. It also seems like the writers realized that the pig is the real star of this film, since as mentioned before it gets a lot of screen time. The only other comedy left in this film is complete campy farce, physical gags, and pratfalls. But since this is a Disney film there has to be some message and sentiment. For the most part this all feels forced, but in the end it might actually wrestle a tear out of a few viewers, namely those under the age of 10 and adults who have children about to go to college themselves.
It’s hard to tell whether College Road Trip is actually a starring vechicle for Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné, or the non-talking pig, Albert. You can flip a three-sided coin, if you want, but the central story of this film is worn out and predictable. Road trip movies have been done before and done better and funnier. If you are under 13 years old and a Raven-Symoné fan, you will probably laugh non-stop. But if you are older, and more importantly hate Raven-Symoné, you really won’t like this at all. That is unless you like your comedy with extra “campiness”. Martin Lawrence should just try calling up Will Smith to try to talk him into making Bad Boys 3.
The video is presented in 1080p/VC-1 at the 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen color ratio, which is enhanced for 16:9 TVs of course. The transfer is great with no major problems at all. You shouldn’t expect any, though, since this film is fresh from the theaters. This film really looks good in high-defintion.
The audio included is available in either English Uncompressed PCM 5.1 sound, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound, or French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. There are subtitles available in English, Spanish, and French as well. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear, and that is all you really need for a film like this. No major problems here either.
Audio Commentaries – There are two full-length commentaries for this film. The first one is with the director, Roger Kumble, and star, Raven-Symoné. This one is both entertaining and informative, and should be watched if you even slightly enjoyed this film. The other commentary are with writers, Emi Mochizuki and Carrie Evans. This is less informative and entertaining. In fact, it’s almost pointless to even have them comment on the film at all. So avoid this one for sure.
“Raven’s Video Diary” Featurette – This runs 10 minutes and it follows Raven-Symoné as she walks around the set with a camcorder. She’s basically being videotaped while videotaping interviews with other cast and crew members. She laughs at all and everyone tells us how much fun it was making this film. This is your kinda unique, but it’s really just your standard “making of” featurette that you find on all DVD releases.
Gag Reel – There is 3 minutes worth of bloopers and gags from shooting this film. There’s the usual segments of uncontrollable laughter, blown lines, mock-dancing, and even Raven cursing without actually hearing it.
Deleted and Alternate Scenes – These total 15 minutes and there is an option for Roger Kumble to comment on each scene. The scenes include an alternate teary-eyed scene at the airport, a different intro with Vincent Pastore trying to knock over a bank and a scene with the Sopranos alum being interrogated, a mock-slasher bit with a slapsticky tag, and more with the mean Mob guys throwing the wedding that the super-pig Albert busts up. In addition, there is a great piggy flashback that serve as an alternate ending. It made the kids cry in screen tests, though.
“Double Dutch Bus” Music Video – Raven-Symoné and Donnie Osmond appear in a music video for “Double Dutch Bus”. Raven gets on a bus only to have the inside be a dance club, which she shares with a bunch of dancers and Donny.
“On the Set: Double Dutch Bus” Featurette – This runs 3 minutes and it’s the making of the aforementioned music video. There is rehearsal and choreography footage with some comments by Osmond and Raven. If you like the video, you will like this.
Unless you a super fan of Raven-Symoné, you really won’t like this film. Parents with children under 10 might have to be forced to buy it, but no one else should. If you like campy comedy, though, this might be a decent rental for you. All others should avoid.
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Disney Home Entertainment presents College Road trip. Directed by Roger Kumble. Written by Emi Mochizuki, Carrie Evans, Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio. Starring Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné, Donny Osmond, and Brenda Song. Running time: 83 minutes. Rated G. Released on DVD: July 15, 2008.
Available at Amazon.com
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