Is College Road Trip a Good Movie?

By Robert Palmer

College Road Trip is a 2008 comedy film directed by Roger Kumble and starring Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné. The movie follows the story of a father-daughter duo on a road trip to visit different colleges to choose the perfect one for the daughter. But, the question is, is this movie worth watching or simply a waste of time?

Plot Summary:

The movie starts with Melanie Porter (Raven-Symoné), a high school senior who dreams of attending Georgetown University against her father’s wishes. Her father, James Porter (Martin Lawrence), is an overprotective police chief who wants Melanie to attend Northwestern University close to their home in Illinois.

Melanie plans a trip with her friends to visit Georgetown University without telling her dad. Soon after, James finds out about the trip and decides to go on a road trip with his daughter to make sure she chooses Northwestern.

Acting:

Martin Lawrence delivers an outstanding performance as James Porter, an overprotective father who struggles to let go of his daughter. Raven-Symoné also does justice to her role as Melanie Porter, playing the character with charm and wit.

The supporting cast includes Donny Osmond as Doug Greenhut, an eccentric tour guide at Georgetown University, and Brenda Song as Nancy Carter, Melanie’s friend who joins them on their road trip.

Comedy:

The movie has its moments of laughter but it heavily relies on slapstick humor and clichéd jokes. While some scenes are genuinely funny, others fall flat and seem forced.

However, the chemistry between Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné makes up for the lack of depth in humor. Their banter and bickering throughout the film add a touch of realism to their relationship.

Direction:

Roger Kumble’s direction fails to elevate the movie beyond its predictable plot. Although the movie has a heartwarming message about letting go and trusting your children, the execution lacks originality.

Conclusion:

All in all, College Road Trip is a decent comedy that you can watch with your family on a lazy weekend. While it may not be the best movie out there, it is worth a watch for Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné’s performances.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted movie that will make you chuckle, then College Road Trip is a good choice. However, if you’re looking for something with more substance and depth, then this might not be the right film for you.

  • Acting: Excellent performances by Martin Lawrence and Raven-Symoné.
  • Comedy: Decent but predictable humor.
  • Direction: Fails to elevate the movie beyond its predictable plot.

In conclusion, College Road Trip is a good movie to watch if you enjoy light-hearted comedies. It may not be the best film out there, but it has its moments of laughter and heartwarming messages.