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This movie is a good comedy, I cant believe i have to say this in every(almost)comedy review. comedy is not going to deliver any deep messages or "take" you anywhere. it is just the friend that comes over to cheer you up. ---check out "DRAMA" if you need meaning -- stop knocking pro made comedy , not everyone has the same sense of humor but most humor is universal so if you wanna laugh , you will,

the opening set-up for this movie jumps right in , explains the concept well and sets the tone for funny, i was laughing right away,

Top name actors , highly polished feel, easy storyline, and "it's true life experiences that we can all--well , most of us --laugh about(or cry).

Jon Favreau is in this- he does'nt do bad movies,if he is listed as producer(he is brilliant)or actor , it's worth watching.

lastly-nothing worse than a long review-hint to reviewers-- so i am oudahere --NOW HIT PLAY ON THE MOVIE

I must have watched the extended version mentioned here on imdb. At the start of the film I was struck by several long repetitive talky unfunny scenes setting up Jason Bateman's family situation, job move, credit card problems. In case audiences don't get how credit cards work, let's put in another credit card scene.

Melissa McCarthy in the first half is mostly obnoxious with nary a redeeming feature. The premise of Bateman's legal problems and his taking McCarthy across country does not seem to make any logical sense. The audience could easily ignore this if the characters and events were funny but here they aren't. The road movie antics with Bateman and McCarthy drag on with few laughs and little chemistry. The car crashes and villainous pursuers fail to add much tension.

A real problem is the lack of jokes in the script. The main joke seems to be a recurring one where people think Sandy is a girl's name and Bateman insists it is unisex. So if you enjoy repetitions of the line "Sandy is a girl's name!" you might enjoy the film.

In the third act McCarthy pulls out some good acting and the film tries to insert some meaning and characterisation into events. It is kind of effective but is a big switcheroo to try and pull off after the mess that went on before.

Enjoyable romp, bit of fun, never a dull moment, I don't know why so many people have written so many bad reviews but judging from what they write I don't know what they were doing watching it in the first place they obviously can't switch off, sit back and just have a bit of a laugh. That's all there is to this film and there's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Watch the DVD and avoid the dreadful ant n dec / x factor on a Saturday night!

IMDb insists that my review isn't long enough and I have to add some more lines so here's some padding. The acting is good, the plot is ridiculous and unfeasible but you have to put that aside, after all it's a movie not a documentary or an educational/training video. After reading the negative reviews on here I almost didn't bother watching this but I had already made the purchase and I am glad i did so before looking on here, because it would have put me off bothering!

It's not brilliant, but it isn't bad.

Needa a good laugh? Identity Thief is a great bet. Silly? Yep! Hilarious? For sure.

Melissa McCarthy Dives into this role, head first. She's a scream. She plays Diana, who steals Jason Bateman's (Sandy Bigelow Patterson) identity. She gets loads of credit lines and goes to town and shops 'til she drops and then goes to town some more.

With no where to turn, Bateman heads to Florida to confront McCarthy head on to save his hide. One bad escapade begets another. From the Police to debt collectors, to drug deals and a few other shady sorts. All the while, McCarthy and Bateman spar toe to toe...

The ending is nice, but not too nice. Which is a good thing in the land of Hollywood where Cinderella stories come true.

One sobering point is the reality and devastation identity theft can wreak. All kidding aside, take steps to protect yourself. Cyberfraud abounds!

Need a laugh? See Identity Thief. Sit back and crack up.

Now I feel compelled to see McCarthy's performance in Bridesmaids. Chick flic or not, why not.

Arthur VanDam, author and film critic

Critics i.e. Rex Reed, must really have it out for Melissa McCarthy because the hateful reviews on this movie and her personally are not warranted.

If you like slapstick, raunchy, adult comedies then you will like Identity Thief. McCarthy shines in this movie, her physical comedy talent is right on the mark and she really gives her character a heart and soul. Bateman does well as the straight man caught up in McCarthy's crazy world of con games and identity theft.

This is pure escapism entertainment, you have to suspend your disbelief and just go for the ride. This is not Argo or Lincoln and it's not supposed to be. We saw this 3/9/13 at the Muvico and the theater was packed! Everyone seemed to enjoy the movie and the four of us thought it was hysterical. There are some really good one liners and physical comedy situations here. The box office success of this movie goes to show you that critics don't know bs about what people find funny. I can't wait to see Melissa in her new movie with Sandra Bullock.