My quick rating – 5.4/10. Playdate is exactly what I was expecting. A light, PG-rated action comedy built around a ridiculous premise, a likable ensemble, and enough energy to keep things rolling even when the jokes don’t all land. We open with a surprisingly tight little car-chase sequence, nothing groundbreaking, but enough to get your attention, before the familiar “24 hours earlier” interlude swoops in. Thankfully, the movie doesn’t drag its feet. About 25 minutes later, we’re back to the opening chaos, caught up, and finally understanding why these four mismatched souls are barreling through suburbia in a minivan. Why they’re being shot at… well, that takes a little more patience.

The core setup is simple with Brian (Kevin James), an out-of-work accountant who looks like he would struggle to survive a particularly aggressive game of tag, joining stay-at-home dad Jeff (Alan Ritchson) for an innocent playdate between their sons. What follows is a full sprint of mercenaries, mistaken identities, and escalating nonsense. Think Spy Kids meets The Pacifier, but with more dad jokes and fewer explosions.

One thing the movie nails is casting. Sarah Chalke as the mom is a fantastic surprise. I’ll always appreciate a Scrubs alum popping up in anything. Banks Pierce as CJ, the more chaotic of the two sons, brings genuine comedic timing, while Benjamin Pajak’s Lucas pulls off that classic “nerdy kid who levels up under pressure” arc. Ritchson leans into his action-hero comfort zone while still selling the softer dad-vibes, and yes—the gag of his military commander being named Colonel Kurtz (Hiro Kanagawa) is clever, even if half the audience won’t catch the Apocalypse Now nod.

Then there’s Alan Tudyk as Simon Maddux, the eccentric millionaire villain who steals every scene he pops into. His presence immediately reminded me how much I am going to miss Resident Alien. The writers’ take on cloning is… let’s call it “scientifically adventurous,” but at least it leads to some of the film’s sillier highlights, including a dance moment that should not work and somehow does. The interrogation scene with an uncredited Paul Walter Hauser, though, that’s hands-down the funniest sequence in the whole movie.

Not all the action logic makes sense; at one point, they “sneak” into a high-security facility by driving right up to the front gate and parking like they’re running in for a Click & Collect order. Very stealth. But the warehouse fight is fun, the stunt work is clean, and the PG tone keeps everything breezy without neutering the thrills.

Let me be honest for a second. I’ve never been a Kevin James fan. His standup never did it for me, King of Queens only worked because of the supporting cast, and generally, his movies range from “fine” to “available on streaming.” Here, though? He’s… perfectly serviceable. He plays to his strengths, doesn’t overreach, and fits the movie’s goofy energy.

Stick around through the credits – there’s a charming blooper reel and a predictable little sequel tease. Overall, Playdate is a fun, forgettable popcorn flick that doesn’t pretend to be anything more. Sometimes that’s enough. And if you are a kid or parent, you can bump that rating up since this clearly wasn’t aimed at my age group.