After 2005's Wedding Crashers, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn reprise their comedic tandem in The Internship, as Nick and Billy, respectively.
The forty-something best friends and former salesmen are suddenly faced with unemployment. Overaged with no other skill except for their gift of gab, nailing a job is nearly impossible for them—especially in this Digital Era. Hilariously and ironically, they decide to apply for an internship at Internet giant Google. They get in, but can the two talk their way into landing a permanent job in one of the most coveted companies in the world?
Directed by Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum) and story by Vince Vaughn, the premise is actually pretty funny: putting two nearly computer illiterate guys from another era to compete with genius kid interns to score a full-time job at dream company Google. Imagine the huge generation gap; Billy and Nick are so out of place among the kid brainiacs of today, referencing '80s pop culture, and having absolutely no knowledge of social media. Vaughn and Wilson here are effective as motormouth glib-talkers and it's fun to watch how they desperately worm their way out of their ignorance and cluelessness to nab the job, and you find yourself rooting for them.
The humor, though, is only mild; offering only occasional chuckles, and so the movie will surely be remembered not exactly for its comedy, but for its plain cliche-ish truth: that no matter how genius or highly skilled you are, it's self-confidence, a positive outlook, and "Googliness" that will get you to the top.
The Internship also oddly feels like a huge Google advertising scheme, but it surprisingly works. It's still fun, entertaining, and it's a comedy with a heart and a positive message. And it's a delight getting a tour inside the real Google headquarters, an insight into its real internship program—and a glimpse of a life of a Google employee.
The Internship may not be the comedy of the year, but it's an engaging popcorn flick, and you'll go home even more impressed with Google.
Also starring Will Ferrell and Rose Byrne.
3 out of 5 stars
Opens August 14, 2013 in Philippine cinemas.
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