Date Night - **+ out of ****

Tina Fey and Steve Carell are the real deal. Fey's comical embodiment of Sarah Palin is something of epic comic genius. The SNL skit with 'Sarah Palin' and 'Katie Couric' will be examined years from now as one of the most spot-on comic moments in history (it already is one of the funniest things I've ever seen), and Carell is a veteran of goofy humor outside of a three-dimensional character (see "Get Smart," "The 40 Year-Old Virgin," "Little Miss Sunshine," and the first four seasons of NBC's "The Office" for reference). That being said, "Date Night" struck me as a disappointing film but is still worth a trip if you know what you're in for.

The previews make it seem like "Get Smart" as a tag-team when Claire and Phil Foster (Fey and Carell, of course) decide to spice up their traditional date night by dressing snazzier and stealing a reservation for the Triplehorns at an uptight NYC restaurant and end up in an action film the characters have no interest in being a part of. Believe me, reader, when I saw that Tina Fey and Steve Carell were teaming up to do an action-comedy, I practically already bought my ticket, but it felt as if their comedic talents were limited to a film that isn't as good as its premise.

When you see the previews, you pretty much already know the story. I remember getting a big, goofy smile on my face and practically howling with laughter when I was first introduced to the previews, but I did feel let down upon leaving the theater. Sure, there are tons of cameos from excellent actors and it leaves plenty of room for both to improvise, however, I found myself hungry for more.

I believed every actor in their role, and I started out just wanting these two dorks to have a good night knowing that trouble was brewing in the near future. And I liked that the funniest moments occurred when the two suburbanites were out of their element and had to act on a ridiculous impulse in order to survive. And I liked that the Fosters didn't turn into action heroes. And I loved that what happened seemed to make some sense. The key scene was after the two go to Holbrooke (Mark Wahlberg, NEVER wearing a shit), a former private detective, and Claire makes sexual comments. After they leave, they get into a real, dramatic argument about how Phil felt demoralized and Claire felt that she had no energy left. That is what a real couple like the Fosters would do (also, it must have been a directorial choice to let us clearly see Fey's scar on her left cheek in this scene). A stupid, one-joke comedy would simply cut the scene and movie into another gag.

There really isn't much else to say. The script wasn't all bad, but it could have definitely been longer (not necessarily with more screwball but with more energy). The director used some interesting filters to give us a grainier, more action-friendly view on some of the scenes, but for the most part, it seemed as if he just stood back and watched the two comedians play out the script. There are tons of cameos: watch for Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Hensen (for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' actor Jimmi Simpson partnered with rapper Common, James Franco ("Pineapple Express" and "Milk"), Mila Kunis (voice of Meg Griffin on 'Family Guy' and actress in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"), Mark Ruffalo and Kristen Wiig (don't get so excited- they're each in one scene and aren't comedians this time), Ray Liotta ("Goodfellas," uncredited in this film for no apparent reason), and William Fichter (you've seen him in a lot but don't know his name).

This throwaway popcorn movie is fun, takes too long to get started, and could have been something epic for this decade if it would have been left entirely up to Tina Fey and Steve Carell. They shine through and prove what can be done with simply great acting. They never run around, seeming to say to us, "look at how funny we are!" but instead craft their characters and let the fish-out-of-water element work with them. I'm sure Tina Fey (who wrote the hilarious "Mean Girls") could have turned this pretty good film into something more, but alas, what we're left with is a little movie with some great belly laughs that the actors provide while improvising and a script with a couple good ideas in it. I recommend it if you're just looking for a throwaway for your own date night or just a night out with friends. I'm sure it would be funnier with a large crowd.

Rated PG-13 for sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference.
Check your local theater for showtimes.