Preppy boy Jason Kelly (Zac Efron; Baywatch) is about to get married to an uptight and controlling witch named Meredith (Julianne Hough; Footloose) that his grandfather, Dick, doesn't like. When Jason's grandmother passes away, he agrees to drive his grandfather to Florida just like Dick used to do every year. Dick convinces Jason that it is what "his grandmother would have wanted". However, Dick actually has a different idea in mind. Since he is single for the first time in fifty plus years Dick, an Army Veteran plans to party it up.
On the way down to Florida, they meet Shadia (Zoey Deutch; Why Him?), Lenore (Aubrey Plaza; Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates) and Bradley (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman; The Break Up Artist) who invite them to Daytona Beach. Dick convinces Jason to meet them and that is where Jason's adventure begins. Jason gets drunk, smokes crack cocaine, ends up naked except for a hornet fanny pack (showing off Efron's chiseled physique) and ends up getting arrested. During all this Jason falls for Shadia who finds out he is engaged. Meanwhile, Dick reveals to Jason the real reason he tricked him into going on this trip was to try and convince Jason not to marry Meredith but Jason gets angry and leaves his grandfather in Florida to drive home in time for his wedding. Of course, all's well that ends well when Jason and Meredith break off the engagement and Jason goes searching for Shadia. And of course in true Robert DeNiro fashion, Dick and Lenore have sex and end up with a baby.
Efron is fine in this role as the straight guy. His "spicier" moments in the film are funny but still come off as if he is the butt of the joke. Plaza goes toe to toe with the legendary DeNiro and holds her own beautifully. The rest of the supporting cast is fine with special mention of Jason Mantzoukas (The Dictator) as the Floridian drug deal "Tan Pam". Of course the best, rightfully so is De Niro. As mentioned previously he is known for dramatic roles so seeing him as a foul-mouthed, partying, wildman is quite a change. It's weird and a breath of fresh air all at the same time. He is the consummate actor and even in this unconventional (for him) role he shines.
The 2160p high definition video is excellent and showcases the few Floridian looking backdrops we see. The picture quality is clean with very little noise or artifacting. The Dolby Atmos Audio is very apparent in the party scenes where the beats are pulsing. The mix is good in these cases and the dialogue doesn't get lost under the soundtrack. The combo pack comes with the 4K Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray and the digital code and there are a few extras that equal about 25 minutes, besides the audio commentary). These include a Gag Reel, The Filthy Truth: The Making of Dirty Grandpa, Lessons in Seduction, Daytona Heat, and I Got Nothin' To Hide: A Look at Daytona's Most Vibrant Drug Dealer. The extras really don't add much to the package and half the time the other actors and crew are simply on film gushing about De Niro.
As Raunchy comedies go, Dirty Grandpa isn't the best out there but it also isn't the worst. To be honest I think some of what makes this film so great is seeing De Niro in a role we would never have imagined him in. The movie has some funny moments and takes a twist on the traditional "road trip" film so it has that going for it but let's face it – De Niro…enough said.
Grade: B-
