“Due Date,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, follows two perfect strangers through the wildest ride you can imagine. The comedy with a heart opens Friday. Brought to you by Todd Philllips, the writer/director of “The Hangover” and “Old School,” bromance lives on in the perfect movie for your ‘boys’… and your girl.

After his luggage, wallet, and ID take off without him, Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) – whose wife is due to give birth- is left at the mercy of eccentric aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis). Both men have been thrown off a flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles and placed on a no fly list after a spat gets out of hand.

Despite Peter’s initial intolerance of Ethan, their relationship evolves into a full-on brotherhood during their road trip to L.A., or as Ethan calls it ‘Hollywood.’ What ensues is mayhem, tears, and lots and lots of laughs.

Many film elements seem familiar – stolen cop cars, stun guns, impending deadline for life changing event, potentially disastrous secrets – this may be because “Due Date” was directed and produced by Todd Phillips, from “The Hangover” fame. If the logic was that these themes would work again since they worked before, they certainly were right. The car chase scenes may be more over the top than those in “The Hangover,” but hilarious nonetheless. And “Due Date,” does have a darker element to it, particularly in the persistent reference to Ethan’s dead father.

The star-studded cast includes Michelle Monaghan of “Made of Honor” as Peter‘s wife Sarah; Juliette Lewis – who worked with Robert Downey Jr. in Oliver Stone‘s “Natural Born Killers” – as Ethan’s “glaucoma medication supplier” Heidi; “Ray” Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx as Peter’s college buddy Darryl and two can’t miss cameos near the film’s end. 

What gives the movie substance is the friendship that develops despite the complete lack of chemistry between the two main characters. Ethan Tremblay will tell you random facts about himself – what inspired him to become an actor was certain sitcom starring Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer; while Peter is a more private, uptight person. As a result, Peter insists on establishing boundaries, with rule number one being “no questions”.

From just one glance at the beer-bellied, skinny-jean clad Ethan with his tiny canine companion under his arm, it’s evident that he is the type of guy who, as director Phillips puts it, “will eat a whole plate of waffles before telling you he’s allergic to them.”

Although “Due Date” is undoubtedly a guy’s movie, it has an emotional and heartfelt aspect that will appeal to her. We may love”Two and a Half Men,” but it’s definitely worth missing an episode to see this film.