A date movie that will appeal to both men and women, This Means War is a fun and cheeky action comedy that owes much to the chemistry of its three leading actors.

Look back at recent rom-com action movies: The Bounty Hunter, Killers, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Fools Gold. Not a good selection by any stretch of the imagination. This Means War had all the makings to join that list but avoids doing so thanks to the fun interplay between its actors and a nicely written comedy script by Timothy Dowling and Simon Kinberg, whose work on Role Models and Sherlock Holmes (respectively) proves these guys know how to write witty dialogue.

The film focuses on best friends and elite CIA agents FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy). While trying to save the free world from a terrorist out for revenge (Til Schweiger) an even greater threat comes in the form of Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), a consumer products tester who is looking for a man and instead finds two, unknowingly forcing FDR and Tuck to battle it out for her affections.

Directing is McG, who dealt with similar material with the first two Charlie’s Angles movies. This Means War features the same production design and tone to its action sequences, but while Charlie’s Angels relished in its campy vibe McG makes the smart decision to have This Means War rely on the chemistry of its players.

It’s a smart decision with Witherspoon, Pine and a surprising Hardy meshing very well together. The back and forth between Pine and Hardy is especially fun, as is there sabotaging of one another’s dates with Lauren with wire taps, tranquilizers and air drones not out of the question.

Witherspoon holds her end with a wickedly sexy turn, once again proving her worth as a comedic actress (when given the right material). Chelsea Handler also delivers some good zingers as the best friends dispensing the wrong advice.

Back to Hardy. The last couple of years have seen the British actor really prove his worth as one of the best leading men working today. He’s played suave (Inception), brutish (Warrior) and fragile (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Now with a rom-com under his belt, Hardy has positioned himself as a jack of all genres.

This Means War isn’t by any stretch the best rom-com movie released. Some jokes fall flat, the action scenes can feel underwhelming, and a villain is wasted in Til Schweiger (so good in Inglorious Basterds). Yet this is a rom-com set to surprise many and is much better than the norm released during this time of the year.