‘Old Dogs,’ old tricks

Someone at the studio should have had the sense of mind to put this script out of its misery. Unfortunately, no one did, and now we’re left with this newest, lamest travesty, “Old Dogs.”  

Dan (Robin Williams) discovers that he fathered twins during a seven-years-gone, post-divorce fling. Straight away, Dan, along with his friend and business partner Charlie (John Travolta), must take custody of the kids while their mother serves a two-week prison sentence.

In one sense, the movie’s title can be applied to co-stars Williams and Travolta, whose movie careers have limped along since the late ’90s. “Old Dogs” is no different, only this time Travolta’s whole family is along to watch its patriarch act out some bland, stereotypical middle-aged dude.  

In another sense, the term can be applied to the worn-out plot. How many times before has Hollywood hoped the ambitious-bachelor-turned-inept-father storyline would draw out a few laughs? Well, its corniness and predictability have failed again.