Review: Project X (2012)

by

29, February 2012Reviews

Cast: Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown
Director: Nima Nourizadeh
Country: USA
Genre: Comedy
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Note: Project X opens in US theaters on Friday, March 2nd.

I’m already an old man, but crazy teens who will buy or (let’s face it) sneak their way into Project X this weekend are going to expecting a movie featuring a kick-ass party and some crazy shenanigans taking place. What they won’t be expecting are the intoxicating levels of madness, insanity, and sheer joy.

It plays more like a documentary than a found footage flick, and immediately sets up Thomas (Thomas Mann) falling victim to what he thinks will be a simple birthday party being set up by his wildly idealistic friends, Costa (Oliver Cooper) and JB (Jonathan Daniel Brown). With his parents being away for the weekend, the poor sap is expecting no more than 50 people to attend his bash. But Costa, being the loveable loudmouth he is, is thinking in a much bigger sense. Through social networks, the school’s own form of multimedia and simply just going person-to-person, Thomas’ friends more than live up to the promise that this will be a night to remember. He even enlists the school’s best cameraman Dax (Dax Flame) to film the whole night. But the party seems to be growing, with no end in sight. And that’s when the trouble starts…

Be patient for the first few minutes. Up until we first get to the school, the mockumentary has that forced feeling to it, making us feel like we have to go for this ride almost against our will. Not to mention there’s a slight sent of ‘comedy wannabe’ in the air. But things very calmly and smoothly fall into position, and with ease the ride becomes less forced and more voluntary. When the night is upon us, we find ourselves just as anxious as the birthday boy, wondering if anybody is even going to show up to this—whoa, why are there all of a sudden like ten cars outside of the house?

It doesn’t take long for the party to catapult into full gear, and it’s freaking beautiful once it does. And you won’t be lied to; if you’re still in high school and you have that reputation of throwing the occasional badass get-together, your reputation WILL be tested my friend. With the exception of a particular scene involving drug use in pill form (let’s get this out of the way—DON’T do drugs), every event that materializes into monster form just looks like so much goddamn fun. Good friends, good music, plenty of beer, naked girls in a gigantic swimming pool…it has it all. One thing that has to be pointed out is the music. Gabe Hilfer, the film’s music supervisor, has to be given special thanks. Not just for creating an outstanding party playlist, but also for putting a shining light to the kind of music that’s preferred today; the happy-go-lucky, yeah-life-sucks-but-let’s-be-joyful-anyways vibe. Love it.

…every event that materializes into monster form just looks like so much goddamn fun. Good friends, good music, plenty of beer, naked girls in a gigantic swimming pool…it has it all.

The chemistry of the three unknown leads in the movie is funny and touching. They exceptionally display that special kind of friendship you’d be very lucky to find in high school. Newcomer director Nima Nourizadeh handles the whole centralization of the trio delightfully, making sure we don’t lose the focus of their experience amongst the all the carefree chaos. When things are at their highest, the movie looks and feels energetic. When things start becoming upsetting, flesh tones are wiped away to reveal the humanity that’s being sacrificed, especially under Thomas’ circumstances. I admire a director that can find time for that kind of shift in a movie like this. Don’t be concerned if you think the movie might get too dramatic; its true heart is made out of pure pleasure with a dash of triumph. For that, thanks should be given to the immensely talented actor-turned-writer Michael Bacall, who’s becoming a huge powerhouse in the world of comedic screenwriting (his other works include Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the upcoming 21 Jump Street).

When things start becoming upsetting, flesh tones are wiped away to reveal the humanity that’s being sacrificed, especially under Thomas’ circumstances. I admire a director that can find time for that kind of shift in a movie like this. Don’t be concerned if you think the movie might get too dramatic; its true heart is made out of pure pleasure with a dash of triumph.

How do you end a party (and a movie) like this? Not with a whimper…but with a bang. One big enough to cause some major property damage. Think of the end like a giant flaming ball made of a supernova and some dangerously rejected Red Bull. The movie ends, the credits roll, laughs are had, but something is realized as you’re walking out of the theater. If there really were such a party like that (Australia would have the best understanding of that), it wouldn’t even classify as a party anymore. It would classify as the word ‘epic’ incarnate.

I don’t care if you’re a jock or a nerd; Mr. Social or Mr. Lone Wolf. Every teenager going through high school hell needs that one night, that one event, to vent. If there are good friends, good music, and an easygoing happy atmosphere happening somewhere, it should be taken advantage of. Project X pretty much hammers that home.

77/100 ~ GOOD. I don’t care if you’re a jock or a nerd; Mr. Social or Mr. Lone Wolf. Every teenager going through high school hell needs that one night, that one event, to vent. If there are good friends, good music, and an easygoing happy atmosphere happening somewhere, it should be taken advantage of. Project X pretty much hammers that home.

Jaime Burchardt
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My head's been consumed the art of movies & its creation ever since I was old enough to know what the word 'consumed' meant. The only way to reduce the pressure buildup is to write, edit, and direct. Chocolate milk also helps.
  • http://twitter.com/fictionalchick Cara V.

    I can’t wait to see this… looks like a ton of fun!