Originally published Feb. 7, 2002
(Note: As you can see, I was still learning how to write reviews as I went. Over the next 100 reviews or so - if you stick with these flashbacks long enough - you'll eventually see my current writing style take shape. I was right about one thing though... Slackers is a terrible, terrible movie.)
Two movies released in the past two weeks have provided great examples in how and how not to make a good movie for teenagers. One of them is quality entertainment and one is obviously a waste of the money spent to make it.
A Walk to Remember is the example of a good movie. It stars Shane West as Landon Carter, a troubled high school student who hangs out with a bad crowd. Landon seems destined to become a criminal after he and his buddies talk another student into a dare that leaves the boy paralyzed.
Despite his dislike for her, Landon needs help with his lines in the play. Jamie doesn’t particularly care for him either but she reluctantly agrees to help. As they spend time together, they begin to feel differently. As the movie progresses, feelings change, friendships fall apart, relationships are mended, and surprises are revealed.
This movie, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks, is sugary sweet at times but worth it. West breathes new energy into a character type Hollywood has used many times before. The audience actually sees the process of his character changing from a selfish jerk into a caring person who wants what is best for another.
The actors portraying parents and friends in the film do a great job as well, but the breakout performance in the film belongs to Mandy Moore. In her second acting role (a complete change from her bratty cheerleader in The Princess Diaries) she pulls off some extremely emotional scenes. As recent films have shown, sometimes musicians don’t make the transition into film too well. Moore has no such problem with this. She and West work well together. A Walk to Remember is a great date movie for teens that aren’t impressed by most films made for teens, which normally just go for the gross-out laugh.
Slackers is such a movie. In 90 minutes, it manages to pack in every offensive sexual joke it can think of. Instead of being built on a plot, it’s like a gross joke with a little bit of plot strung throughout.
What little plot there is concerns three guys who have managed to con their entire way through college. They have almost reached graduation when another student, Ethan (Jason Schwartzman), finds out their cheating habits. He then blackmails them into helping him get Angela (actress James King), a girl he’s too shy to talk to himself. They agree to help, not knowing Ethan is a psychotic stalker who has a shrine devoted to Angela in his room and also collects her hair to make a doll. Apparently this is what the producers think of as comedy.
The movie starts off well enough, with a plan to steal copies of an exam from a delivery truck, but then falls apart. Scenes follow one after the other with no organization. Despite some decent performances, the movie is pointless. One has to wonder: if this movie was made, what good movie was sacrificed to make it?
According to recent box office totals, audiences seem to agree. During the weekend of February 1-3, A Walk to Remember emerged in a respectable third place while Slackers didn’t even crack the top ten. Perhaps moviemakers will sit up and take notice: moviegoers prefer a good story and acting to pure stupidity.
A Walk to Remember is rated PG for thematic elements, language, and some sensual material. Slackers is rated R for strong language and sexual content, and brief drug use.
(Note: As you can see, I was still learning how to write reviews as I went. Over the next 100 reviews or so - if you stick with these flashbacks long enough - you'll eventually see my current writing style take shape. I was right about one thing though... Slackers is a terrible, terrible movie.)
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| Courtesy of Warner Bros. |
A Walk to Remember is the example of a good movie. It stars Shane West as Landon Carter, a troubled high school student who hangs out with a bad crowd. Landon seems destined to become a criminal after he and his buddies talk another student into a dare that leaves the boy paralyzed.
As part of his punishment, Landon must do janitorial work at school, help tutor problem kids, and participate in the school play. It is during these times that he comes in contact with Jamie Sullivan, played by pop star Mandy Moore (minus her normal glamorous look). Jamie is the daughter of the town minister and the butt of many people’s jokes, including Landon. He thinks she is too goody-goody but is intrigued because she doesn’t care what people think.
Despite his dislike for her, Landon needs help with his lines in the play. Jamie doesn’t particularly care for him either but she reluctantly agrees to help. As they spend time together, they begin to feel differently. As the movie progresses, feelings change, friendships fall apart, relationships are mended, and surprises are revealed.
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| Courtesy of Screen Gems |
This movie, based on the book by Nicholas Sparks, is sugary sweet at times but worth it. West breathes new energy into a character type Hollywood has used many times before. The audience actually sees the process of his character changing from a selfish jerk into a caring person who wants what is best for another.
The actors portraying parents and friends in the film do a great job as well, but the breakout performance in the film belongs to Mandy Moore. In her second acting role (a complete change from her bratty cheerleader in The Princess Diaries) she pulls off some extremely emotional scenes. As recent films have shown, sometimes musicians don’t make the transition into film too well. Moore has no such problem with this. She and West work well together. A Walk to Remember is a great date movie for teens that aren’t impressed by most films made for teens, which normally just go for the gross-out laugh.
Slackers is such a movie. In 90 minutes, it manages to pack in every offensive sexual joke it can think of. Instead of being built on a plot, it’s like a gross joke with a little bit of plot strung throughout.
What little plot there is concerns three guys who have managed to con their entire way through college. They have almost reached graduation when another student, Ethan (Jason Schwartzman), finds out their cheating habits. He then blackmails them into helping him get Angela (actress James King), a girl he’s too shy to talk to himself. They agree to help, not knowing Ethan is a psychotic stalker who has a shrine devoted to Angela in his room and also collects her hair to make a doll. Apparently this is what the producers think of as comedy.
The movie starts off well enough, with a plan to steal copies of an exam from a delivery truck, but then falls apart. Scenes follow one after the other with no organization. Despite some decent performances, the movie is pointless. One has to wonder: if this movie was made, what good movie was sacrificed to make it?
According to recent box office totals, audiences seem to agree. During the weekend of February 1-3, A Walk to Remember emerged in a respectable third place while Slackers didn’t even crack the top ten. Perhaps moviemakers will sit up and take notice: moviegoers prefer a good story and acting to pure stupidity.
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