Project X | Geekscape

First-time directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore are anything but amateurs. Best known as being the writers of the smash hit comedy The Hangover, the duo have written a fair share of other well known comedies such as The Change-Up and Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. But this time out, Lucas and Moore have settled comfortably into their director chairs for this weekend’s release 21 and Over. Unfortunately for the screenwriters and directors, 21 and Over is far from genius of The Hangover.

Jeff Chang (played by Justin Chon) seemingly has it all. Attending an Ivy League school and fast on the path to becoming a doctor, Chang’s best friends from high school, Miller and Casey (played by Project X‘s Miles Teller and Pitch Perfect‘s Skylar Austin), pay him a surprise visit on his 21st birthday. Refusing to go out because of an important medical school exam the next morning, Miller won’t take “no” for an answer. What’s suppose to begin as an innocent night out turns into a wild tale of obscene debauchery.

Attempting to recapture the glory from their part in the 2009 hit The Hangover, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore stir up a frothy beverage of a similar taste. In retrospect, there’s far too many similarities between the pair’s newest effort 21 and Over and their previous blackout blockbuster. Although the wolfpack’s outrageous journeys have them retracing their steps from a forgotten evening, Chang’s drunken and indistinguishable sounds leave his best friends on a quest to remember where he lives. Following the smallest of clues possible, the trio embark on an uncontrollable night of humiliation and embarrassment. While 21 and Over has no shortage of laughs, the jokes are unoriginal and extremely short-lived. In addition to a lack of well written humor, the movie relies on the most over-the-top situations imaginable to elicit laughter from the audience. Shock-humor has become the latest craze and its flavor has quickly soured. Therefore, 21 and Over becomes just another example of ineffective modern day comedies.

Although no one will confuse 21 and Over for anything other than the comedy that it is, Lucas and Moore force-feed a handful of dramatic subplots into their feature. Every instance of banter about “people changing” and “lost friendship” illustrate just how indecisive the entire final product feels. Lost somewhere within the story themselves, writers/directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore fail to properly blend their dramatic themes with the film’s immature and outlandish comedic aspects. Once again reiterating that 21 and Over is an unfortunate swing and miss.

If you can find joy in the simple and thoughtless shock-value that has imprisoned the genre of comedy over the past five years, then 21 and Over will be a suitable movie experience for you. However, I pine for the carefully crafted and well written jokes from earlier 21st century classics such as Wedding Crashers and The 40 Year Old Virgin. If you happen to feel the same way that I do, then you should definitely take a pass on Friday’s release 21 and Over.

Grade: 2/5

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With the recent release of the most outrageous High School party movie ever made, Project X, I decided to pay homage to some of its predecessors. I decided to tally the top 5 onscreen High School parties of all-time. While compiling my list I took into account the amount of screen time attributed to the parties and how significant they were to the film’s central purpose. Therefore, some epic party scenes didn’t make the cut. My apologies to avid fans of my honorable mention list which includes Risky Business, Never Back Down, and Not Another Teen Movie. And the top 5 are …

#5 Superbad: Whether you lost it during the scene where McLovin’s cop friends unknowingly cockblock him or the instance where Evan’s blowjob offer turns into a puke parade, 2007’s Superbad has it all. Coupling unforgettable characters with a rowdy good time, there’s no question that Superbad‘s party scene is a memorable one.

#4 Weird Science: In the 1985 classic Weird Science, Gary and Wyatt are best friends who attempt to create the perfect virtual woman. However, their wildest dreams become a reality when they actual create a real life hottie that they name Lisa. Lisa’s sexiness is far surpassed by her various superhuman abilities. The boys use Lisa and her powers as a way to throw a huge party, but things go mightily wrong when Lisa conjures up some mutant bikers to stir some controversy. With Weird Science, director John Hughes creates yet another legendary party scene.

Even the rock band Kiss loves a party in the woods

#3 Dazed and Confused: Now is the perfect time to remind everyone that this list isn’t about which movies are better, it’s about the party scenes. With the 1993 coming of age classic Dazed and Confused, a mishap with the keg delivery forces a bunch of High School students to relocate their party to the woods. With notable scenes galore, both comical and dramatic, Dazed and Confused reminds us how awesome it can be to party it up in nature.

#2 American Pie: Desperate to get laid on prom night, 1999’s American Pie is the quintessential High School comedy. And when that faithful night arrives, the after party is filled with monumental laugh out loud scenes. Perhaps none of the post-prom storylines are as hilarious as Finch’s quest to take down Stifler’s mom. Kudos to you Mr Finch for giving teenage boys across the world a reason to believe.

It's always important to limber up before physical activities

#1 Can’t Hardly Wait: Having almost the entire film centered around one big epic party, 1998’s Can’t Hardly Wait tops the list. Offering more than just one of the greatest in-movie soundtracks of all time, Can’t Hardly Wait delivers an unforgettable look at a collection of High School Seniors in search of grandeur on graduation day. With characters like the goggle-wearing Kenny who debates “double bagging it” and the nerd turned big shot for an evening William, what’s not to love? Can’t Hardly Wait is the party we all wished we were at, and don’t try to deny it!

Note: MCDave also spends his down time critiquing films at Movie Reviews By Dave

Tag: Project X

Geekscape Movie Reviews: 21 And Over

The Best Onscreen High School Parties