Three unpopular high schoolers attempt to boost their popularity status with the mother of all parties in this comedy, filmed handycam-style, from producer Todd Phillips (The Hangover).
But the raunchy party spirals wildly out of control when word spreads and a massive crowd descends. Dreams are shattered, records are broken and legends are born. The movie's stars are newcomers who scored their roles through a US-wide open casting call.
If you name your film Project X, it better feature either a chimpanzee as one of the main characters, or possess some sort of enigmatic quality. This new film fails on both counts and feels like the thinnest excuse for a movie to come along in years.
The Hangover and Old School director Todd Phillips shepherded (but did not direct) Project X and its numerous party montages recall similar scenes in his work.
It's not difficult to discern the intentions here – a cast of unknowns; a lack of moralising about teenage sex and drug use; boobs galore – Phillips clearly wanted to make the ultimate gonzo teenage party movie. It's a goal I am very much onboard with but the resulting film is so devoid of personality, it feels about as gonzo as an afternoon cup of tea. The characters are all generic stereotypes and their arcs possess all the emotional punch of a beer commercial.
At various times the film recalls Risky Business, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Superbad (a lot) and even the underrated 1998 comedy Can't Hardly Wait, but never benefits from the comparisons. The found-footage angle makes it an interesting companion piece to the remarkably similar Chronicle (just switch out the party for superpowers), but again made me appreciate the earlier film more.
I feel like a big old spoil-sport for saying it, but this movie failed to rock my socks off even a little bit. However, if you're proudly in touch with your inner idiot, you may find yourself pumping your fist.
By Dominic Corry, Flicks.co.nz
I dont know if Im being generous to give this film 3 stars but I will. The first half of the movie dragged and didnt have much going for it at all, 2 people got up and left the cinema! The last half was better, but still the characters had no substance, the storyline (as like many movies) was a bit flat. Without ruining it for others I will say it did get quite exciting there for a few minutes. Worth seeing if you have not much else to do.
extract from theaterofthecommonman.com More likened to an extended episode of girls gone wild, today's picture Project X is barely identifiable as a feature film. Continuing the onslaught of 'almost found footage' releases, Project X offers us a mind numbing exploration into the world of high school popularity. Three of the most unpopular kids you will ever meet decide to throw the party of unimaginable proportions; inevitably the party grows out of control leading to what can be described as 'significant suburban unrest'. As a film enthusiast Project X did nothing for me. All the basic elements of movie making have been brushed away, if you enjoy even the smallest helpings of plot, dialogue, acting and character development then this film is not for you. On the flipside if booze, drugs, sex social rebellion, idiocy, and moral redundancy is your thing, then you're probably special enough to enjoy it. I actually couldn't see what the fuss was about, if you head up the west coast on any given Friday you are likely to find a gathering that makes Project X look like high school pyjama party. With O (Orientation) Week in full swing around NZ universities, an influx of virginal mamma's boys should be well underway. At a time when they should be finding self-sustainability, financial independence and academic inspiration, the influence of Project X couldn't be any more damaging. Once watched, the film will melt the minds of said boys, in the process converting the stumbling social neophyte into a capricious party gremlin, and without a doubt higher learning will ensue; whether they open a book will be another question.
The film looks like shit, the characters are boors, and it's as sloppily put-together as the home movie it pretends to be. Project X's commitment to its crudity almost redeems it, though.
Witless, charmless, teen twaddle. Let’s take all prints off the film, and bury them. Don’t bother marking the spot with an X.
A mangy teenage house-party bacchanal.
A grimly depressing, glumly unfunny teensploitation comedy.
This movie wasn’t intended for me. I should be grateful for that.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 1st Mar 2012.
Release date: March 1st 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
