Project X (2012)
Brief review: Produced by "The Hangover I & II" creator, Todd Phillips, "Project X" is British-Iranian director Nima Nourizadeh's debut feature film, which follows three high school friends, who plan a huge birthday party in order to increase their popularity, but things go out of control. Since it's about arranging a fancy party, the party itself and nothing else, "Project X" is completely plotless. Worse than that, it's also laughless, which is definitely a bad thing for a movie labeled as comedy. It has one or two mildly amusing moments, but overall, it fails to deliver genuine laughter, and its crude and raunchy, yet silly, humor mostly falls flat. The characters involved are a bunch of shallow teenagers, who think and talk only about sex, parties, drugs and alcohol. But hey, isn't that the reality? It certainly is, therefore, as ridiculous as it may sound, "Project X" wins points for credibility. Since the POV style narrative is not usual for the comedy genre, director Nima Nourizadeh deserves credit for his creative approach. The movie is presented as a home video from multiple points of view and that works most of the time - some of the party scenes feel like a well-shot music video, and the joyous atmosphere is so inviting, it makes you wanna join the party. For better or worse, the young cast, selected through open casting call, act in front of the camera the exact same way they act in real life - like morons, yet kind of naturally.
Overall summary: The untypical for the comedy genre POV shooting style creates a joyful atmosphere and makes it all the more real, but sadly, in spite of its cheerful nature, "Project X" is nothing more than a stupid party movie about stupid teenagers doing stupid stuff.
14 comments:
At first I was pretty interested in Projecz X. The trailer looked fun and I thought it's cool that there's finally a non-horror found-footage film.
Unfortunately, most reviews were sooo bad, I completely lost interest in it.
Maybe I'll check it out when it's out on DVD
It should be called Project PerpleXing. A total waste of time and celluloid. Your review is spot-on, my friend. "Stupid...about stupid...doing stupid" is the perfect description of its lifeless filth, George!
Matty, I agree. It has no reason to exist. :)
I love the 'stupid.. stupid...stupid' thing. LOL.
Maynard, I was kind of excited about it too, but it turned out rubbish. Not completely terrible, but still rubbish. :)
Another one I'm glad you took the hit on!
You have written an intelligent and witty review about a completely stupid waste of celluloid and camera equipment. Watching someone on You Tube clipping their toenails is a better use of said equipment.;)
Craig, LOL. I got used watching crappy stuff. :)
Mel, well-said. I still can not believe how successful this misfire was at the box office.
I didn't think it was funny. BUT I did enjoy it and the way everything kind of snowballs really had me holding onto my seat. It felt very real, which is why the climax was almost more disturbing rather than comical. But I think that's why I liked it. Maybe it's from watching all the dark comedies the french come out with every year:)
Creepy Query Girl, I enjoyed some parts of it, too, but overall I didn't find it funny at all. Disturbing - definitely! :)
I haven't seen it. Your review (thankfully) lets me know I should not. :)
Thanks,
Teresa
Teresa,
You'd better skip this one. It's just not worth it. You're welcome.
Oh, and I'm a new follower on your blogs. They bith look awesome.
insert My Chemical Romance song "Teenagers" here. the song to express my feelings for this movie.
Kaijinu, LOL. Very unique way to express your feelings regarding this movie. :)
Post a Comment