‘Sisters’ just wants to have fun

Sisters (2015)

Directed by Jason Moore

“Saturday Night Live” alumnae and comedy queens Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star in “Sisters,” the party flick for grown-ups. When their parents (the hysterical James Brolin and Dianne Weist) unexpectedly move out of their childhood home, sisters Kate and Maura Ellis (Tina and Amy, respectively) decide to throw one last high school banger for all of their classmates. But the house has been sold to a stuffy New York couple, so they have orders to keep the house clean. Yeah, right.

On a list of 2015 comedies, “Sisters” sneaks into the Top 5. Maybe. Even on a list of 2015 comedies featuring John Cena, “Sisters” isn’t first. All I’m saying, America, is lower your expectations a little bit. Tina and Amy are legends, but they’re trying to pull off what is, in essence, another “SNL” movie—like “Superstar,” “A Night at the Roxbury,” or “MacGruber.” And we remember how those turned out. “SNL” writer Paula Pell handles the script, which blends “Step Brothers” and “Project X” with a few uninspired original thoughts. It lacks identity. The dialogue is somehow raunchy but also too safe. It’s like when children try to cuss. What I’m saying is the stars don’t have a lot to work with. But let’s face it; it’s still Tina and Amy. They’re pure entertainment. They ooze fun from their pores. And the rest of the cast, including more than a few “SNL” friends, conjure their share of chuckles.

“Sisters” has the star power, the holiday release, and the two hour run-time of a comedy with more pizzazz. But it doesn’t reach the level I expected it to. So if you’ve climbed aboard the hype train, you can stay put. Just slow it down a tad.

6.5/10