Comfort zones have been breached beyond their limitations with the first Dirty Grandpa teaser trailer starring Zac Efron and Robert De Niro. One continues to push his career away from what made him a star while the other engages in full on sexcapades with Aubrey Plaza. You figure out which one we’re talking about here.

I’ll admit, I chuckled a few times watching the trailer – wanna fight about it? I didn’t have an uproarious time, but there were a handful of giggles brought on to ease the uncomfortable feeling when Robert De Niro squirts sun tan lotion on Aubrey Plaza (Life After Beth; The To Do List) or him motor-boating her or the direction of De Niro’s career in general.

The one thing in the Dirty Grandpa teaser that surprised me the most is Aubrey Plaza’s transition from her hilarious, cynical deadpan shtick to hilarious, deadpan sex object. It will be a jarring post-Parks and Recreation world, and as delightful as it is to see the actress gaining work, is this the best use of her talents? (I mean her acting and comedic sensibility, not boobs ya pervs.)

Zac Efron might be the only one who walks away unscathed. Dirty Grandpa continues to lead the actor away from his Disney roots after That Awkward Moment, Neighbors, and this year’s huge flop We Are Your Friends. He’s definitely proven he can work out of his element and is shaping his own path fairly well. And poor Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages; Footloose; Safe Haven) portrays the nagging shrew of a fiancée, a caricature that feels way too old hat, much like the entire movie.

If this whole “Dirty” thing pays off it could spark a whole slew of copycats. Like how Bad Grandpa, Bad Words, and Bad Teacher followed in the footsteps of Bad Santa. I can only imagine it now, Dirty Grandma starring Helen Mirren and Anna Kendrick, Dirty Stepdad starring Danny McBride and Michael Cera, or Dirty Postman starring Jason Sudeikis. I’d actually see Dirty Grandma if it starred those two – pay me Hollywood.

Here’s the official plot synopsis for Dirty Grandpa, courtesy of Lionsgate:

Jason Kelly [Zac Efron] is one week away from marrying his boss’s uber-controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straight-laced Jason is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed grandfather, Dick [Robert De Niro], to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride. Ultimately, on the wildest journey of their lives, “dirty” Grandpa and his uptight grandson discover they can learn from one another and form the bond they never had.

Directed by Dan Mazer, Dirty Grandpa stars Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Zoey Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Dermot Mulroney, and Julianne Hough. The film hits theaters on January 22, 2016.

Source: Lionsgate