Hailed as the “female version of The Hangover”, Girls Trip had high expectations to live up to. As the title suggests, I watched it with my mum. Now, my mum (shout out to Hazel) is a cool mum, so instead of turning red at some of the sexually charged scenes, we both just giggled together. However, if you blush every time a sex scene appears on Game of Thrones during a family screening, best take your friend instead.

The premise of the film is a that group of 4 women (Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Hadish respectively) go on a, you guessed it, girls trip to a New Orleans festival where the famous friend is a key speaker at. All four characters are facing extremely different issues, who view their trip away as a sort of escape route. Hilarity ensues when the women (who go by the rather cringe-y name of "The Flossy Possey"), remember what it is to be with your best friends on a weekend away. Hot men, sisterhood and hallucinogenic alcohol all ensure a weekend they won't forget.

To say Girls Trip is funny is an understatement. It’s goddamn hilarious, with Hadish’s character, Dina, the “wild one” providing the majority of laughs through excellent comedic timing and outrageous one-liners. Jada Pinkett-Smith’s “good girl who lets loose” character is also a highlight when she finally gets laid. It is these snippets of quality female humour that really drive the longevity of the film in all its entertaining glory. Although not of the same well-written calibre of films such as The Hangover or the female driven Bridesmaids, Girls Trip isn't afraid to push the boundaries, creating a film that is both parts shocking and entertaining.

However, Girls Trip is far too long. For a film that relies on dick jokes and general gag humour, the substance is neither dense or interesting enough to drive a 2hr+ film. The best thing about this film is when it sticks to what it should; silly, frivolous, “girly” humour that utilises actresses such as Queen Latifah to make the audience laugh.

But instead of sticking to this, Girls Trip attempts some social commentary on what it is to be black in America. The final result is a group of characters who portray certain stereotypes, leaving us with a rather dismal, one-sided view of the intended outcome. Tough issues such as infertility are also touched upon, which, in a film where someone pisses on a crowd of people, doesn't leave a good taste.

Girls Trip won’t win an Oscar, but to reduce this to just some mediocre straight-to-dvd comedy would be a large injustice. Not all, but most, of the jokes are comedy gold that the excellent cast all deliver. I was a little picky with it, but my mum loved it.

Speaking of mum, this is a little segment of what I like to call: "Best things overhead when sitting next to Hazel"

- "Oh Megan look at him"

- "Daddy" (everytime a man graced the screen)

- "Isn't Will Smith's wife hot? I bet she does Spin Cycle or Zumba"

-"Do people actually do that??"

                                      3 out of 5 Grapefruits