Mascots

The closet thing we have to the great Mike Leigh is probably Christopher Guest who serves up another of his improvfests, Mascots. Following on the heels of his other competition flicks Best in Show & For Your Consideration, we follow a bunch of lovable eccentrics trying to make their mark in their world w/hilarious, rib tickling results. We also have a return of Corky St. Clair from Waiting for Guffman which is worth the price of admission in itself.

MASCOTS is Directed by Christoper Guest and follows a bunch of different Mascots from around the world who are about to compete in the World Mascot Association Championships where the winners receive "Fluffies". If a mascot wins one of these awards it is possible that it could change their life forever.

This film is structured just like a few of Christopher Guest's other films including A MIGHTY WIND and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN. It is filmed as a documentary expect the characters are fictional.

The best part of this film is, by far, the crazy assortment of characters that we follow. From a married couple that is constantly trying to hold back their anger for each other, to a English man who wants to try and add a new routine to his families old mascot routine but keeps getting rejected by his father. These characters are hilarious to watch and follow. When you see them go through their routines in and out of the costumes you can't help but smile and, sometimes, laugh so hard you have to leave the room. The thing that makes this film really stand out is just how seriously the people involved take this competition. It seems like a really stupid thing to have a contest for the best mascot, however everyone involved treats it like a professional Football championship or the Oscars. It is so important to them and because they are pursuing their passions and their dreams you connect with them and desperately want them to do well int the competition.

Where this film needs work is it's third act, it isn't bad however the editing is a bit of a problem. NO SPOILERS but the film gets to what should be considered the climax or the final rising action leading to the climax and beings to pull focus on other moments that aren't as interesting as what is happening in other places. There is also not a lot of interaction between different mascots, which makes sense when they are involved in a competition with one another however it does leave a sense of some missed opportunities for a few more laughs.

Overall MASCOTS is a very effective comedy that has some truly hilarious moments. There are just some parts where the film just misses the opportunities to be really great.

FILM: 4/5 PERSONALLY: 4.3/5

I'm not sure why others who claim to be a fan of Guest's previous work didn't like this one so much.

I thought it was great and adequately satisfied my need for more Guest mockumentaries.

Don't go in expecting it to be another Guffman or Best In Show and you'll probably dig it.

The only thing I wish would have been different is if it had had Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara in it.

I wouldn't say it's the best of Guest's ouevre but if you really like his stuff I can't imagine not liking this too.

This is a spoof documentary following the contestants attending the Mascot Awards.

I am not usually a fan of adlib but it really works here as the interviews come off quite candid but obviously silly.

There is a lot of really good talent here and utilised well.

The lesser-known names are also really good and all the characters are fleshed out.

The film cumulates in the Mascot performance finale - which is entertaining in its own right.

This is an unusual movie - it is silly but professionally made and the story is coherent.

I didn't find it laugh-out-loud funny but it quite amusing and I was invested in the characters.

I feel like this film deserves more praise than I am prepared to give it.

I recommend this for a week night watch for a few chuckles.

Not the greatest film, but has plenty of laughs and guffaws. Seeing this cast is like seeing old friends. There's hilarity, stupidity, and complete schizoid moments that make absolutely no sense at all. But hey, remember that this is a C. Guest film. What more were you expecting? At a budget of the listed $20,000,000, you can be sure a LOT of that went into the elaborate costumes and pro for the mascots.That is, unless they raided a lot of high school and community college storage bins. Like other mockumentary films by Mr. Guest, get past the character set-ups and the pay-off is in the competition. It does not disappoint!I will recommend this ONLY to friends who also enjoy the antics of Christopher Guest.