21 and Over

The reason that I started Rath's Reviews is because I think modern day critics (for the most part) suck. Like...a lot actually.

I think most of them are so far out of touch with the fact that movies are supposed to be fun that they only think as movies as art anymore. And trust me, I love movies that could be considered "art", that's what the Oscars are for I suppose. But I also enjoy to have fun at the movies. In fact, it's almost a requirement for me that I must have fun, unless it's not that type of movie. i.e. The Impossible. 

The average critic rating for 21 and Over right now is about a 3.5/10. To me, that would say "Gee that's a terrible movie and it must be a really unfunny comedy!".

Folks, the critics are wrong on this one. 21 and Over, from the writers of The Hangover, is a very good comedy. My guess is that it won't be the funniest movie of the year, but I still had tons of fun and got tons of laughs from the shenanigans that this college campus produces. 

Meet the gang (from left to right): Miller, Casey, Jeff Chang, and Nicole.

He is essentially passed-out-drunk in this scene.
But at least he still has his clothes on?

There has been a recent upswing in the crazy-things-happening-with-a-male-trio comedy ever since The Hangover made its debut. Some have been good (Horrible Bosses), and some have been bad (Project X). And I've come to a very important conclusion: the success of these movies rests largely in the script and the leads. Horrible Bosses took advantage of all the star power it had and wrote the script according to their strengths. Not to mention all of their characters were likable. Project X had a curse-laden script that was unfunny, lead characters that were giant tools, and "shock" moments just for the sake of having shock moments. 21 and Over had me catching a somewhat Project X vibe from it near the beginning. Miles Teller, who practically stole the show in the remake of Footloose, was acting like a jackass and I was quickly disliking his character. But the writers dug themselves out of that hole and actually make him say funny things. In fact, I would say he has most of the one liners in the film and while he does still act like a jerk, I came to like him. As far as Skylar Astin (Casey) and Justin Chon (Jeff Chang)? They are likable immediately. Astin turns on the charm that he brought with him in Pitch Perfect (and as a special treat for the ladies, you see his nude backside several times, so there ya go) and Jeff Chang, while usually incoherent, has some hilarious scenes. 

Im just waiting for Astin and Teller to break out in song and dance, respectively

"Yeah flex that arm and jaw, Randy!"

In addition to the main cast, 21 and Over boasts a pretty stellar secondary cast of characters. The chief who is always dancing on acid, while not hilarious, is just a silly sight to see. The Tower Master bit was funny as well as a super-grumpy Asian girl. Like the main cast, most of these secondary characters just WORK. Even the love interest for Casey, Sarah Wright (plays Nicole pictured above), is witty and very likable, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. That being said, her and Casey's love story is by far the weakest part of the movie and it really undercuts the deeper meaning the film wants to portray. The funniest additional characters is the school's spirit captain and macho-man, Randy. Or should I say Randy and his "goons". He is always acting like a hard ass and EVERYTHING he says or does is undercut by his two over-enthusiastic followers. Examples: "Yeah! Kick his ass Randy!" "Yeah Randy! Show them the spirit!" "Great apology, Randy!" You get the point. It's hilarious and never gets old, at least not to me. 

Earlier in this review I bashed critics. Maybe that was unfair. Maybe I liked this movie because it spoke to me on a deeper level a little bit. I end my college career in June like many of the characters in the film. The film forces me to beg the question, and this sounds ridiculous, but did I go crazy enough in college? Did I experience life enough while I'm still young or do I take everything too damn seriously? 

And those are the questions I pose to other critics: did you live enough in college? Do you take everything too seriously?

Pros:

• A strong and often very funny script. It's not consistently funny to the point where you can't breath, but good nonetheless
• Likable cast of characters. Tellers' character had me worried there for a while, but ultimately I warmed up to him and I can't honestly think of one person that I didnt enjoy...fantastic secondary cast
• The shenanigans, while no where as crazy as The Hangover or Project X are still pretty fun and out there. Finally there is proof that sorority girls can be bat-s**t crazy (tee hee)
• The progression of the plot is logical, enjoyable to watch, and doesn't ever lag
• Fairly good soundtrack. There were some moments where I noticed it was playing (when it was good) and others where it was essentially background noise (when it was mediocre) 

Cons:

• There is a fair amount of naked dudes. No full frontal per say, but at least even out the male nudity with some more female nudity? Please? I mean for God's sake the ladies got Magic Mike last year!
• The love story is pointless, and at the end, it's presence really undercuts what I thought was the far better and stronger message of the movie
• Sometimes movies like this make me wish that my college would party like they do
• Not funny all the time. There are a fair amount of laughs that fall flat and earn a courtesy chuckle
• As far as comedies go, my favorite ones are quotable ones. 21 and Over is not the most abundant with one-liners which is somewhat surprising coming from the writers of The Hangover

Might Just Be Me:

• As someone who will be done with college in June, it makes me wonder if I take stuff too seriously, and if I did take stuff too seriously throughout college. I am clearly proud of my accomplishments, and I had a ton of fun in college, but 21 and Over reminded me to enjoy these last few months and to not grow up all at once the moment I walk across the stage

Rath's Review Score: 7.5/10