Project X (2012)
Director: Nima Nourizadeh
Three seemingly anonymous high school seniors attempt to finally make a name for themselves. Their idea is innocent enough – let’s throw a party that no one will forget, and have a camera there, to document history in the making. But nothing could prepare them for this party. Word spreads quickly as dreams are ruined, records are blemished and legends are born. Credit should be given to this film in some ways. After all, it does make a new use (not counting The Virginity Hit) of the found footage film. And it get creative using flips, iPhones, and other unique forms of recording for the footage.
Project X does a lot of things right, but it also does a lot of things just a tad bit too typical. We have a story that is your typical teen movie, only with a modern twist tossed in. Our main teen, Thomas, is trying to have sex with what he feels is the hottest girl in his school. He is also packing some very gimmicky character driven friends and a best friend named, Kirby, that is female. He’s known her forever and clearly there is something there. If you’ve seen one of these teen party movies, then I’m sure you know where it’s going and how it’s going to end. But it is fun along the way. All hell does break loose at this wild party and it makes for a few legit laugh out loud moments. If you’ve seen the trailer, then you know just how out of control this party gets. I think I would be OK with stating that while I think the film ends up being good, it’s not great. It’s like taking the old car out and tossing a new paint job on it. Sure, it looks current and new, but it’s still the same old car.
But while not spectacular, Project X is a film that knows who it’s crowd is. It’s got a great pace that might even fire it’s stuff off a little too rapidly. The film is running out the gate and it never really seems to slow down until it’s ending. While character development is a little rushed and lost, it’s still just about what you’d expect out of a film that is clearly appealing to the A.D.D. type kids of today and their very short attention spans. It’s a film that is directly meant for them, but it’s not too in tune with today’s youth to alienate the old 29 year old fogies like yours truly. While I don’t think it’s as good as stuff like American Pie and Can’t Hardly Wait, I do think it’s one of the better teen party movies to come out in a long while. Not on a Superbad level, but not too shabby in it’s own right. If you want to have a little fun and turn your brain off it’s a good way to do it. Just don’t expect anything too great and of the none typical variety.
(7.5/10)
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