MOVIE REVIEW: “Date Night” stars Steve Carell (The Office [TV series], Foxcatcher), Tina Fey (Mean Girls, 30 Rock [TV series]), Mark Wahlberg (The Departed [2006], Daddy’s Home), Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hidden Figures), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld [TV series], Pysch 2: Lassie Come Home [TV movie]), Common (John Wick: Chapter 2, Suicide Squad), William Fitchner (Crash, Drive Angry), and Ray Liotta (Marriage Story [2019], No Sudden Move). It is directed by Shawn Levy (Free Guy, The Internship) and written by Josh Klausner (Shrek Forever After, Wanderland).

When Phil (Carell) and Claire (Tina) Foster decide to mix things up and go to a fancy restaurant in the city for a date night, they suddenly find themselves mistaken for another couple and plunged into an action-packed adventure like no other.

What happens when you throw a bunch of celebrities into a film about parents going on a night out from the kids? Hysterical chaos.

“Date Night” follows a married couple played by Steve Carell and Tina Fey whose lives are rather mundane. The love shared between them is neutral, as the spark that once brought them together doesn’t burn as bright these days. In hopes of spicing up their romance, the two decide to go out into New York City for one of their date nights, but when Carell’s Phil snags them a table meant for another couple, things get wild as they are suddenly sent running for their lives.

This is a short and humorous flick with fast-paced action and plenty of laughs to keep one entertained. The leads in this are phenomenal, as you’ve got two of the best comedy actors working in the business (especially at the time this was made). Carell and Fey work well together, and their back-and-forth in getting through this hectic venture is easily the highlight of the picture. Jam a bunch of other funny celebrities in there to cushion these two and you’ve got yourself a recipe for fun times (seriously folks, this film is chock-full of big names that it was comedic in-and-of itself to see each of them grace the screen).

Klausner’s script is tightly structured, with simple set-ups and pay-offs that keep you hooked and always chuckling (at least, in my case). With Levy’s great direction, everything falls into place from the acting to the action to the filming of it all. I saw this one with my girlfriend, and we couldn’t help but picture ourselves as these lead characters. The trope of throwing “real” people into crazy scenarios that you would find in big-budgeted action flicks is entertaining, and the guys behind the camera made sure to squeeze in enough heartfelt moments to get you attached to this couple.

Really, “Date Night” is an all-around fun watch. With its short runtime and funny concept, the actors are left to chew up every scene they are in, leaving you with plenty of memorable moments to walk away with. I will say that they tend to get a bit too wild for my taste as the film progresses (that bumper-to-bumper car chase was quite ludicrous), but they always manage to make you smile or laugh in the process.

If you are looking for an easy comedic flick to watch on a random night (maybe even, a date night?), I would recommend this. Carell and Fey are undeniable, and their action-packed adventure will make you laugh. FINAL SCORE: 80%= Juicy Popcorn

Here is the trailer: