Mascots

I was pleasantly surprised how watchable this was after a less than promising trailer. The comic timing and line formation could have been a lot tighter but we have a fun yarn here where the quantity of story lines keep it fresh.

The vibrant costumes and the delightful routines of the third act are what seals the deal.

So much better than at least one of Guests other efforts.

This film has everything going for it, has plenty of funny moments, a great cast, and decent writing but it just fails to bring it all together in such a way that it belongs in the same league as Best In Show, A Mighty Wind, This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting For Guffman. I really wanted to like it more.

Christopher Guest has always made seriously hilarious mockumentaries. Beginning with the classic comedy "This is Spinal Tap," Guest has riffed on every subject from local theater, to dog shows, and here he is taking on the world of mascots. He assembled some of his favorite actors (Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Ed Begley Jr., and John Michael Higgins to name a few) and has released his newest film "Mascots," on Netflix. Though Guest uses the same great set-up as many of his past films, sometimes tried and true methods are more tired and false.

While I have enjoyed all six of Guest's written mockumentaries, this film is a bore-fest from start to finish.For one thing it doesn't feel like a mockumentary. There's too much polish and obvious talking heads flavoring this film for it to feel like anything other than a run of the mill, factory made comedy. Though there are a couple of chuckles to be had at the witty banter, there's nothing truly incisive about the commentary of this film. The world of mascoting might be small, like the dog show circuit, but it's not one that truly lends to a lot of social discourse, or any true characterizations of small town America, which is Guest's bread and butter. It wouldn't surprise me if the entire reason Guest chose mascots is part of the film concerning the Furry community, which is the only truly interesting bit of the film.

Some aspects of the film feel really stale and out of place. The entire plot turn where Cindi Babineaux's school's past is called into question, was clearly unneeded, because it does nothing but hinder the plot and confuse the audience. It's also unclear why Fred Willard and Brad Williams conversation needs to happen at all, except to show a character out of their depth. Actually a lot of the cast feels unneeded or written poorly, including the married couple, The Fist and his straight man, and all the side mascots. The routines aren't even really about supporting a team. They're often influenced more by vaudeville, or clown culture, which doesn't fit into the film at all.

Honestly, this would have made for a better television show. It would be great to see these characters in a more in-depth way, and really explain mascot culture for those of us completely in the dark. Though it's clear much of the cast is trying their darndest to recapture the old magic of "Waiting for Guffman," and "A Mighty Wind," this is probably the lowest Christopher Guest has ever sunk. (Barring "Almost Heroes" of course.)

I really liked "Best In Show"...but I'm not sure that it needed to be re-made with mascots. There are some fun moments and performances here, but it feels less real and less sympathetic to the characters. Guest brought the same sensibility, but not as much heart.

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.