Watching this movie is a good, cute and fun thing but ultimately, I just don't really know what it's trying to do and say with its story. In that regard, the movie feels rather pointless and ultimately it isn't an engaging or interesting enough one with any of its themes or characters.
The movie has a good style and pace to it and while its premise perhaps may sound stupid and childish to you, it's actually a very mature comedy. This definitely is not one for the teenage crowd but for the slightly older and more experienced person instead. It's dealing with some real life issues, though just not in the most interesting, deepest or engaging kind of way, which is one of the biggest missed opportunities of this movie.
One of the problems of the movie also is that it's very predictable. it's not necessarily predictable in the sense that you know exactly what is going to happen next but it is predictable in the sense that you know how everything eventually is going to get resolved. This movie truly doesn't offer any surprises and there aren't even some interesting twists or developments in the story, which potentially could have helped to keep things more fresh and interesting.
Another problem I had with this movie is that it never quite feels like a summer camp movie. I believe this is due to it that it doesn't show an awful lot of the activities and non of the campers are really any characters within the actual movie. So why let this movie take place at a summer camp in the first place? It really doesn't feel like the movie is ever doing enough with either its settings or characters, which all is another missed opportunity.
Despite all of the problems I had with this movie, I can't call it a terrible one as well though. I was entertained enough by it and I therefore also still see it as a watchable enough one. There is no harm in watching this movie and while watching it you most likely won't feel like you're wasting your time on it. It's only toward the end of the movie and afterward that you realize that none of it really was all that deep or original and ultimately there isn't an awful lot happening in this movie or to any of its characters. Nobody really goes through any interesting or big transformations and it pretty much feels like all of the character are still all of the same ones as the ones they all were at the start of the movie.
So in short, the movie is a good and fun enough one but ultimately also very shallow, predictable, pointless and forgettable. Watchable but not recommendable.
6/10
Watch trailer
I feel like this review was written by somebody who has never seen their videos. The whole premise of this YouTube trio is light-hearted comedy. As far as the point of the movie, I think the big thing that is being missed is how much of it revolves around old media vs. new media. It jabs at young-adult books pretty explicitly as well as technological ingenuity.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the predictability, I completely agree. It was very obvious exactly how everything was going to be resolved, but I feel like that was a given when compared to their YouTube channels and the sheer amount of content that goes through it. It relies heavily on what is basically some sort of pre-determined format so it may be difficult for them to stray outside of whatever pre-determined notions they (or their regular viewers) have for them. I'm certainly not defending the movie but I can sort of see where the predictability is coming from.
The camp is obviously there as a juxtaposition of the Chicago world, once again highlighting the old vs new sort of theme that is somewhat there in the movie, along with bringing up the issue of classic camp vs technology camp.
I'm not sure it's fair to say that the characters don't change. Elise certainly does, though I completely understand the notion that it was so obvious from the beginning that it didn't quite feel like any sort of transformation was happening.
Personally, I think this movie is very much for the niche audience of their youtube viewers. It is pretty common knowledge among their fans that Mamrie Hart edited Lydia Genner's original screenplay in order for it to sound more like their original selves. Knowing that, I feel like this movie will always have two sets of reviews: one who just see the final product, and another who have followed these people on social media(s) and know how excited they are to be putting out their own movie for their fans to enjoy.
I feel this review is a little harsh in that, while I don't disagree with most of the comments, it failed to mention how funny the film is at times. No, it's not perfect and the end is a little weak. But it feels very authentic and has plenty of laughs. It's a good film.
ReplyDeleteThis review was right on and even being polite. this is only going to appeal to those who are fans of the youtubers. this is not going to reach the masses or even fans of good movies. its good for what it is but the premise is so generic and templated, its been done better.
ReplyDeleteHi nice readingg your post
ReplyDelete