‘PLAYDATE’ IS HILARIOUS COMEDY THAT IS A LITTLE TOO CHAOTIC
Pairing up a popular Prime Video TV show star with a well-known TV sitcom comedian, Playdate is one of those crazy films that purposefully leans into this.
Playdate (2025) Film Review
Things aren’t going so well for Brian Jennings (Kevin James). He’s a hard-working guy who is trying to bond with his stepson and was just fired from his job. This means that he’s now becoming a dad who stays home while his household now needs an income. During one of his daily dad duties which is to visit hte park with his son (Benjamin Pakal), Brian meets Jeff Eamon (Alan Ritchson), a dad who seems quite cool. What Brian doesn’t know is Jeff isn’t at all who he seems. In fact, he may be unhinged.
As he and Lucas join Jeff and his son CJ (Banks Pierce) for a playdate, Brian’s life becomes a series of unexpected care chases and an explosion or two, in a playdate that is nothing like what Brian could anticipate.
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‘PLAYDATE’ IS HILARIOUS COMEDY THAT IS A LITTLE TOO CHAOTIC. #AlanRitchson leads the cast of #Playdate, a new Prime Video comedy. #PrimeVideo #AmazonMGM Share on X
This is one of those films that is a kind of unusual premise but is also so ridiculous it’s fun. The film, as its promotional drops would suggest, is primarily about big things going “boom” as its headline male cast gets caught up in this actioner. The movie moves at a fast past and doesn’t run overlong which is nice, plus I cannot lie, it’s great fun to see Reacher star Alan Ritchson step into this role. Which is the same type visually, but very different in every other respect.
He plays it well and while it still fits the stereotype of the action star, in this he isn’t some shrewd investigator so that makes things more fun. Kevin James is known for TV too but on the other end of the spectrum, which is comedy, specifically sitcoms. The contrast is great fun, and I like them on screen together here. Also appearing in this is Isla Fisher, Stephen Root, Alad Tudyk and Sarah Chalke. So, yeah, the cast is all around solid.
If you enjoy action films that don’t take themselves seriously, and you don’t want to take it seriously, well then Playdate may be worth watching. If you want a genre film with more, then skip this one.
Stream, at publication, Playdate exclusively on Prime Video
Photos: Alamy
Content: this one has quite a lot of “action violence” which means lots of things blow up and there are some “tense” albeit still comedic chases or threats. Lots of hand to hand combat. There is profanity including shit and a use or two of the F-word; there is some crude humor / gestures, too. The film rates PG-13.
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Playdate was a fun movie! I enjoyed seeing Alan Ritchson in a comedic roll. He did a great job. He and Kevin James worked well together, and made for a humorous action team.
It was fun! Made me laugh even though it took a turn I didn’t expect! ;)
Planning to watch this one. Great review!
It is funny. ;)