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(7) OLD DOGS with Robin Williams, John Travolta, Seth Green, Kelly Preston, Bernie Mac, Matt Dillon, Lori Loughlin, Conner Rayburn and Ella Bleu Travolta. Directed by Walt Becker. (The Bridge, The Boardwalk, Walmer Park, Garden Route Mall).

THIS latest comedy from the Disney stable seems to have all the right elements – a superstar cast, great humour and cute kids – yet it still feels like something’s missing.

Uptight Dan (Robin Williams) and free-living Charlie (John Travolta) have been best friends and business partners for 30 years and are on the verge of landing the biggest deal of their lives with a Japanese firm.

But just as the deal is about to be finalised their lives are turned upside down when Dan’s past comes back to haunt him.

Vicki (Kelly Preston, who in real life is married to Travolta), a woman Dan was only married to for 24 hours, comes back into his life, informing him he is the father of seven-year-old twins Zach (Conner Rayburn) and Emily (Travolta’s daughter Ella Bleu).

She is going into prison for two weeks, so Dan (with Charlie’s help) has to look after the kids.

This of course leads to all sorts of the antics we’ve seen in these sorts of comedies before, with the children messing up the adults’ homes, business deals and tablet supply (in some of the funniest scenes involving hallucinations).

Travolta, Williams, Seth Green (as their junior associate) and Matt Dillon (as a scout camp leader) are all in top comedic form, and its great to see one last performance from Bernie Mac who died earlier this year. But even a cast this strong can’t save the fact that the film offers so little in terms of originality.

Travolta’s role seems so similar to his recent performance in Wild Hogs, while the rest of the plot will remind you of everything from Three Men and a Little Lady to The Game Plan.

But it is fun, light-hearted comedy which will bring a smile to most viewers’ faces. – Reviewed by Leon Muston ARTS EDITOR mustonl@avusa.co.za