Anyone else planning to see this movie? It just came out and it has been getting decent/average reviews so far. The theater was nearly empty when I saw the flick, but I'm guessing that was because everyone else was busy drinkin' and watchin' the Superbowl... This movie asks the question: what would happen if a bunch of teenagers suddenly got superpowers? Realistically, they'd probably fool around a lot, get out of control, and then start fucking shit up. And that is pretty much what happens. The story is pretty familiar and also very predictable. But isn't horrible. Although the story is clearly inspired by the comic genre, it doesn't really try to wrap itself as a 'comic book movie'. There are no superheroes, villains, or costumes. There isn't even a romantic subplot. And unlike some movies (Kick-Ass, for example) it doesn't even reference comic books at all. I guess it is more of a 'paranormal' flick. They go with the 'found footage' technique popularized by movies such as The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, etc. I'm not a big fan of this style of movie-making, but in this case, they aren't using it to try and scare you or disorient you with lots of shaky cam... the camera is a part of the story. I'm not sure if it was necessary, but I guess it kept the film from feeling like something that could have just as easily been a made-for-TV movie. Anyway, it is worth watching if you've got nothing better to do and want to get out of the house. It doesn't really have any amazing special effects or explosions to speak of, so there is no real reason to watch it in the theatre... it could easily be a DVD rental. But, then again, I feel that way about 90% of movies that show up in the theatre. The film doesn't do anything wrong and doesn't insult my intelligence, but it doesn't really suprise me either. There are no twists to the story, hell anyone on Wordforge could have written and shot this film. But it wasn't horrible either (like Transformers or something).
On an unrelated note... The writer of this movie, Max Landis (son of John Landis), also filmed a parody/critique of the mid-90s DC comics mega-crossover, 'The Death And Return Of Superman' If you're familiar with that storyline, you'll find this parody amusing. It even has some funny cameos... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PlwDbSYicM
Although normally I hate "found footage films", this one was done pretty well. The foreshadowing of Andrews greater power and deep down malevolent nature was very subtle and well done.
You know what actually produced the most groans and sounds of surprise and shock in the theatre I was in? (which had mostly a young adult audience). Spoilers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When Andrew uses his telekinetic power to kill the spider. For some reason it seems totally cruel and pointless on his part that seemed to resonate with the audience.
hmm... I didn't think the movie was subtle at all. It all unfolded pretty much exactly the way I thought it would.
Just saw it. Was much better than I was expecting. Good psychological tension, nice character moments, and for a 'found footage' movie with a moderate budget the special effects were amazing.
I liked it well enough, not sure that I wouldn't have zigged the story where they zagged it, but it was a fun watch.
