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I have no idea why I was so excited about seeing this movie. I think it had to do with John Cusack getting back into the spirit of fun movies. When he's having fun, I'm having fun. And there's certainly a lot of fun in Hot Tub Time Machine.

The story is about a group of friends who are all dissatisfied with their grown-up lives, who decide to go on a ski trip to their favorite lodge from their college years. When they get there, it's a dump, but at least the hot tub works, and when they spill a drink on it, it takes them back to the 1980s. They all look like their young selves, and after some cryptic words from m Chevy Chase, they decide to live out the weekend exactly as they did in the 80s so that they won't mess up anything in their future, and once they get through it all, they'll return to the hot tub and go back home.

Of course, each of these men are battling issues from their present-day lives. John Cusack's character is in the middle of a divorce, and he wonders whether he should have stayed with his girlfriend from the 80s. Craig Robinson's character has recently been cheated on, but he's whipped, and still wants to return to his wife; if he relives his weekend from the 80s, he'll end up cheating on his present-day wife. Rob Cordry's character is a jerk with not much of a future in present-day, and has no desire to go through with what happened in the 80s weekend, because he takes a beating when none of his friends show up to back him up in a fight. As each guy faces his past, he examines his present. Each has to decide whether or not to go through with the 80s weekend or to try doing something different that could affect their futures (or their chances of getting back home).

I like that the characters are aware of the time-travel genre while they are inside of it. They play around with the idea and the possibilities it holds, and they're allowed to do that because they've already lived this weekend in the 80s (as opposed to Marty McFly, who constantly visits times he has never pre-experienced). They aren't running around trying to avoid their younger selves because they are their younger selves and older selves in the same instance.

I also enjoyed how the movie winks at other time-travel flicks, especially with the casting choice of Crispin Glover as the bell hop. This small role is a stroke of genius.

And of course, Hot Tub Time Machine is all about acknowledging the 80s. Anyone who lived through the decade must experience a wave of nostalgia while watching this movie, especially in the scene where the heroes realize what has happened to him. What's playing on the radio, what's on tv, and what people are wearing (including a "Where's the Beef" t-shirt).. it's everything I loved about the 80s or everything I love to hate about them.

The movie is completely irreverent at times. A realistic explanation of the circumstances that allow for time travel isn't necessary. The vessel is a time machine, and the catalyst is an energy drink. The heroes are caught up in a crazy plot of where to be at what time, but always pause to watch and see whether the (present-day one-armed) bellboy will lose his arm when he's in a precarious situation. Rob Cordry's character is crass, annoying, and insane. It's a crazy assembly of plot, setting, and character, but somehow it works.

I might have done with a little bit less of Rob Cordry's antics, but overall, I was surprised to find myself laughing quite a bit. The nostalgia factor was a big one for me, but I liked all of the little ideas that Hot Tub Time Machine explored. Cusack is back in form, and Robinson is hilarious. For two dollars, I'd say I got a good deal.