Malibu Crush

Don't walk into this movie expecting anything like an academy award winning masterpiece because you won't get it. What you will get is 79 minutes of stupid male type humor. The plot is kind of absurd and the films budget feels very low, however, the acting is above average, and kept me laughing most of the way through. Hardly the most thought-provoking film I've ever seen. However it works as a Friday movie with your friends. It's dumb but, in my opinion, quite hilarious. I'd recommend this movie if you're not expecting something that will keep on the edge of your seat and bursting with surprises.

It doesn't require much attention, or much, if any, thinking. Overall, a very funny movie I would watch again.

There is much to appreciate about Malibu Crush. I gave myself 2 minutes to decide if I wanted to watch the entire film and ended up watching it all the way through and placing it on my blog as a top 10 comedy to watch in 2023.

The movie chronicles the lives of native Los Angeles residents Michael Chase and Duey on their quest to reunite with a long-lost girlfriend from high school Bridgette Van Ryan who now lives in Bondi Beach Australia.

Malibu Crush is a comedy at its core, so anyone watching be prepared for crude humour with dumb characters, however, it also has some intelligent scenes to keep the film on track and help the objective of finding an ex-girlfriend in another country.

The acting performances are decent, I found out much of the film was shot in Australia using several Australian actors doing US accents, considering this and the fact it was a low-budget film this is even more impressive. In particular, actor and director James Pratt stands out in his performance as Michael alongside Bella Valentini who plays the authentic yet sweet Emma. Scott E Miller has some funny moments as the annoying boss from hell.

Cinematographer Conner Jansen also did a nice job using a softer textures to show Bondi Beach in Australia over Los Angeles.

It would be great if this film had a sequel with more money attached because for what it is on a low budget Malibu Crush is a solid movie.

8/10.

Malibu Crush starts in Los Angeles with Michael Chase ( James Pratt ) spraying an 81-year-old lady in the face with a fire extinguisher, and Duey ( Billy White ) drinking beer on the couch while hiding from his landlord. This pretty much sums up what to expect for the rest of the film - A fun buddy comedy with some outrageous moments.

As the film progresses, Michael receives a phone call from an ex-girlfriend Bridgett ( Kelly Monisse ) stating she's getting married and has a kid. The only issue is Bridgett lives in Sydney Australia and so Michael and Duey set out to Sydney under a student exchange program to stop a wedding.

Upon arrival in Sydney a string of memorable character actors enter the film including Rach Taylor ( Sarah-Louise Collidge ) The Boss, Paul GoFuller ( Scott E Miller ) Jade ( Brittany Hockley ) Carl ( Dan Musial ) and Emma ( Bella Valentini).

The comedy works well within storyline. It's a mix of urgency between Michael and Duey stopping a wedding while keeping up the disguise of being film directors shooting a big-budget commercial.

There are a few humorous gems from this film that have a high place on my list of memorable comedy scenes to watch, such as Johnny Watson being run over by a golf cart after Duey changes the script, The scene in which Tiffany's ( Yuan Lin ) strict father uncovers porn magazines after Michael and Duey lend their apartment to her and the fantasy scene in the spa between Duey and Rach Taylor.

However one of the most memorable scenes is not a comedy scene but rather a soft and touching moment between Michael and Emma over sunset on Bondi Beach in Australia, this is beautifully shot ( Conner Jansen cinematographer) and captures a brief pause in the mayhem and comedy which adds to the overall enjoyment of the film. Often comedy films have too much emphasis on just trying to be funny and not allowing the audience a break, Malibu Crush doesn't have this problem it's a comedy movie but it allows the audience a break every so often with some touching and nostalgic moments.

A good movie in it's own right, but not your typical comedy material.

As the movie started, I was trying to compare it to other comedies in it's form of humor, it's a mix of American Pie, Dude Where's my Car and has parts that feel similar to a Stephen Merchant comedy.

Many of the scenes are basic, but still pull a laugh. The movie was good, but compared on a comedic level to American Pie or Dude Where's my Car, it falls short because of the scale of the film. It looks like it was shot on a small budget so the audience relies on the humor and acting rather than having special effects and bigger locations.

In general the acting is hilarious, Billy White and James Pratt definitely turn a pretty simple story line into an entertaining movie. Bella Valentini and Brittany Hockley also have acting scenes that keep you watching.

I like the movie, it over achieves for an independent film, however it doesn't compare to an American Pie scale and won't be the same watching.

This was a wonderfully funny comedy that kept me laughing throughout the entire movie. Wonderful cast - evident in that none of the actors try too hard to be funny, instead, the comedy is very organic and the characters are written in to match the comedy. Rach ( Sarah Louise Collidge ) and Duey's ( Billy White) relationship dynamic is hilarious. - look out for the dream scene which ends in disaster.

The only problem I had was there wasn't enough time spent at the wedding which could have been played up more- it was built up during the movie then came and went too quickly. I gave the movie a "7" - Strongly recommend to anyone looking for a good laugh.