The 4:30 Movie

I really enjoyed this movie. The cast is a mix of unexpectedly good newcomers and funny cameos from regulars in Kevin's movies. There is a sweet side to the story that we haven't seen from Kevin since Jersey Girl and it works.

Austin Zajur gives a performance way above what you would expect and the cast has great chemistry.

I was lucky enough to get to watch this movie with Kevin at his place and it was an amazing evening. I'm going to see it again this weekend on the big screen.

The movie isn't drawn out or heavy and it is a great time. Highly recommended for anyone who grew up in that era or wished they did.

Kevin Smith FINALLY gets his mojo back in this one.

For the first time since Red State, or arguably Tusk, the film is shot with some sense of inspired visual creativity. The promise of the filmmaker Kevin Smith could be that was seen in Clerks II finally gets to fully bloom. The confused editing and flat cinematography that haunted Yoga Hosers and Clerks III is finally gone, and not only is it very pleasant to look at, but the slick charisma of Kevin Smith's characters has finally returned.

The worst offender might be that certain jokes and pieces of expository dialogue repeats itself a little too much for my taste, and the humor leans more towards the laid back low-brow style of humor prevalent in Mallrats, and less towards the frenzy of snappy zingers of Clerks or Dogma.

Where The 4:30 Movie truly shines, however, and becomes something truly special and memorable, is it's authenticity. The love story feels so personal, sweet and vulnerable, told with a unique voice that only Kevin Smith could pull off. The banter and chemistry between Brian and Melody reminds you of those truly charming, flirtatious interactions from Clerks, Chasing Amy and Clerks II.

Smith does something you might have never expected to see in one of his films, which is to completely let go of his dialogue on ocassions and completely surrender the film to the score by Bear McCreary, which gives it an eerie and bittersweet feeling of stepping into a nostalgic dream.

All in all, The 4:30 Movie feels like a beefed up version of Mallrats, with a very loose hangout movie structure that more than anything captures a vibe and a feeling that makes you go "You know what? That was very sweet. I'm glad you shared that with me, Kevin".

If you've been a fan of The Askewniverse since the 90s, and might've felt like he disappeared into a cloud of weed smoke for a while, I do wholeheartedly recommend you check this out. It didn't always connect with me comedically, but the voice you remembered that Kevin Smith used to have back in the 90s is so back, with a far more cinematically confident vibe this time. It starts and ends so strong, with scenes that most definitely deserve to be on the highlight reel of this man's career.

Everything you could possibly love or hate about a Kevin Smith movie is in here, and whether or not if you're fan, I think it's worth celebrating that unlike certain films he's put out recently that almost felt like a passive-aggressive attack on the audience, this is probably the first time since Zack & Miri Make A Porno that I can confidently say to myself that "THAT was a Kevin Smith movie!"

Couldn't sit through the 2nd half of the movie, except of one joke where a character wishes death upon another was the only moment that made me giggle, other than that everything was so unnatural and cringe, not even guest appearances of Justin Long nor Jason Lee could have saved it. Clerks and Mallrats fans stay away and rather go see Chasing Amy on a loop, this is borderline criminal on pair with his Yoga Hosers attempts at humor. I dont know what the cause behind this trend, age? Times of political correctness? If that's the case I would appreciate more attempts in vein of Tusk and Red State going forward. Stick to horror genre Kevin. Thanks your fan.

It seems Kevin is afraid of himself.

Let me explain, we got a bit of the old Kev back in Clerks III, with great dialogs, tons of laughter and an elegance and profoundness to the lines that rivaled his early work.

It wasn't Red State (by far Smith's undefeated Magnum Opus) but at least it looked like he was starting to come back.

And then we get this movie that while cute, it felt like it was afraid of having an edge. 3 or 4 jokes cut through but the rest? Geez...

There's only so much that cameos can do if you don't have anything to say. And Kevin Smith does t seem to have anything important to say... or he's afraid to say anything at all.

Does he think they're going to mock him? Does he think the audience will not "get it"?

He was on his way to be a great writer and a great filmmaker, and for the most part I think he still can be. But he needs to get out of his own way, dig deep and say what he really wants to say.

That or he ran out of things to talk about because he has been podcasting for more than a decade.

Watch the movie for completionism. But that's about it.

"4:30" is Kevin Smith's latest addition to his filmography, and it presents an interesting mix of elements that might leave audiences divided. The film revolves around its leads, who, while undoubtedly central to the narrative, come off as insufferable at times. It's a shame that Smith seems to struggle with creating truly likable characters, especially when compared to his earlier works where his characters resonated deeply with audiences.

In contrast, where "4:30" truly shines is in its side characters. These supporting roles inject much-needed charm and depth into the movie, saving it from becoming a complete letdown. It's in these moments and interactions that the film finds its rhythm and provides some enjoyable and watchable scenes.

While "4:30" may not reach the same heights as some of Smith's earlier classics, it still manages to surpass the last few lackluster entries in his filmography. There's a sense of improvement evident in this movie, a glimmer of the filmmaker revisiting his strengths and rediscovering what made his earlier works so beloved.

Despite its flaws, "4:30" offers a glimpse of Smith returning to form, albeit with some hiccups along the way. The pacing, dialogue, and character development may not be as polished as fans would hope for, but there's a raw honesty to the storytelling that is hard to ignore.

In conclusion, "4:30" is a mixed bag. While the leads may come across as insufferable and the writing lacking its past charm, the film is buoyed by strong performances from its side characters and an overall improvement in quality compared to Smith's recent endeavors. It might not be a perfect movie, but it shows promise and hints at a potential return to form for the filmmaker. With a rating of 5/10 stars, "4:30" is worth a watch for fans of Kevin Smith, but it may leave some wishing for more of the magic that defined his earlier works.