Viaggio di maturità: Mallorca

Honestly, I was expecting something much worse. With a title like that, and knowing it was a Prime Video production, the most logical thing was to fear a tasteless teen mess. But End-of-School Trip: Mallorca, while far from good, is at least watchable. That doesn't mean it escapes all the typical flaws of this kind of film: weak script, poorly developed characters, uneven pacing, and a final message that tries to go deep but stays shallow.

The funny thing is that the movie is based on a real event that made headlines at the time: the COVID outbreak in Mallorca in 2021 that led to a hotel quarantine for a bunch of students. From there, Paco Caballero tries to mix raunchy comedy, social commentary, and generational drama, but he loses control of almost everything. At times, it wants to be Project X, other times Lord of the Flies, and then Good Morning Spain, with a parody that, to be fair, works quite well.

Yolanda Ramos, as always, is the highlight. Just seeing her elevates whatever she's in, although she appears far too little here. The rest of the cast is uneven. Berta Castañé has a decent moment or two, but her character takes so long to explode that by the time she does, we've already checked out. The rest of the kids seem pulled from a TikTok casting call, blending apathy and overacting in equal measure.

The worst part isn't even that. It's the editing, which makes everything feel disjointed, and that forced attempt at a deep message about generational divide and misunderstood youth. The problem isn't the idea itself, but how it's handled-clumsy and one-dimensional, as if everyone over 30 were a soulless boomer and the kids were helpless victims of a system crushing them as they pop pills by the pool. Subtle, it is not.

Still, there are a few redeemable moments. The critique of certain media outlets, the chaotic vibe that fits the post-pandemic anxiety, and a couple of scenes with a bit of spark. But it's not enough. It feels like the film doesn't know if it wants us to laugh, think, or relate to characters who just aren't believable. If it had committed to one clear tone, it could've been better. Not a great film, but maybe a more honest one.

Interesting film, although there will inevitably be some members of the easily manipulated herd who, after watching it, understand nothing at all...

I find the presentation of the events and the characters' intrinsic emotions very interesting. Although they're not going to win a Nobel Prize in their lifetime (nor do they need to), they do take a serious look at their lives and futures... Trying, from their youth, to figure out what they're going to do with those lives (if the system allows it... because when it comes to actually helping them, nothing is done...).

I have to highlight the performances of all the young actors, because not only are their interpretations excellent, but they have managed to imbue each of their characters with an authenticity and depth that enrich the film in such an impactful way that every single scene becomes a vivid reflection of the emotional complexities inherent to that time of life that many seem to have forgotten: youth.

In the film, as in life, there's no shortage of adults who act as if they know it all and feel entitled to handle these young people as if they were mere puppets (parents, educators, TV commentators... some wearing those cringy flaggy wristbands, wishing calamities for young people and judging them from their comfortable positions).

But let's focus and draw a lesson from this wild tragicomedy, because that's what life is: essentially, a tragicomedy. In every generation, young people have been belittled and denigrated, forced to live within a system that is imposed upon them. And at the slightest sign of rebellion, they are crushed not only physically but -what I consider even worse- psychologically.

A fundamental and central element of this film is the lockdown (to me, a ridiculous experiment) that we all accepted -whether we liked it or not- imposed as an obligation (dictatorial system?) "for our own good", or at least that's what the media kept telling us, as our overloaded minds were hit with a barrage of disastrous news (mostly made up).

And here we arrive at a key aspect of the film: the perspective on the present and the outlook for the future. In those confined moments, when it became more and more difficult to distinguish what was reality and what was fallacy, when it became more and more difficult to know what to believe and what not to believe... it's impossible not to experience a déjà vu of emotions while watching this film, even if the portrayed situation seems, apparently, radically different from what we experienced. We accepted truths fabricated by twisted minds that only sought their own benefit and didn't give a damn about what was happening in the homes and minds of young people (or maybe this was already happening before?), causing many to fear not only the alleged global pandemic but also the imminent uncertain future that was awaiting them once the lockdown ended, a future presented in tones of deep navy blue verging on black.

Personally, I believe it's evident that the experiment yielded the intended results, considering that I have already read a good number of negative comments about this film; when, in fact, what we have here is an excellent film featuring young people who choose to rebel against a house arrest similar to the one we all experienced in 2020. Honestly, and without intending to spoil anything (because it's clear that a lot of things get broken in this film), the scene of the TV shattering on the floor is, without a doubt, my favorite.

Although at times the film ovedoes tropes of debauchery, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vandalism, and rebellion, I see these as nothing more than introductory vehicles for a much deeper situation. The plot is really well constructed and directed, and I don't think it could hurt certain sensibilities; although it will surely impact those who never understand anything at any point in their lives (those who, undoubtedly, are doing fine, unlike those of us who continue to endure the hypocrites who constantly lie to us while we ask questions that no one seems capable of answering...). Take a look at how the world is and react. And if not... throw a party.

No pun intended obviously and as always. I actually thought this would be a German movie - I watched a movie last year I think that had a similar title ... so it would have been fitting to do a pseudo sequel to it ... especially if it was semi successful! Turns out it is a Spanish movie. And while it does have quite a lot to say (about freedom about growing up, about society, restraints and the backlash it can trigger to name just a few things) ... there might be things depicted here you don't like to see.

Actually if you are a decent human being, the movie should more than challenge your morals and your views ... you should not go along with many of the things shown here. But the tone that is set from the beginning ... the mayhem we witness before it happens ... well it all "fits" quite nicely - while of course it is anything but nice. Young people are prone to do stuff that are not ... in anyones best interest ... that's the way life goes ... commentary on that (literally too) is there - though I doubt that they would be silenced by a powerful (give her that) speech ... anyway, this is madness and it doesn't even play in Sparta (again no pun intended) - also don't try this at home or elsewhere.

"Senior Trip: Mallorca" tries to capture Gen Z's vibe on the island where some graduates traditionally celebrate and, at its best, tackles a rarely addressed subject: the teenage years lost to Covid. In its strongest moments, characters speak candidly about lockdowns freezing friendships, blocking first loves, and putting big dreams on hold. These honest fragments feel authentic and give the film a depth seldom found in party comedies.

Unfortunately, director Paco Caballero frames those worthwhile passages with a labored slapstick plot. Vomit-gags during drinking games, a randomly escalating "sangria contest," and stock side-characters-the perpetually stoned influencer, the catty school diva, the lovably awkward nerd-prompt more eye-rolling than laughs. Many jokes feel like recycled sketch ideas stretched beyond TikTok length. The ensemble chemistry is basically sound, but the script leaves little room for real growth; conflicts resolve in sudden group hugs while flat set-pieces set up the next YouTube-ready shock moment.

Visually the film swings between postcard vistas and reality-show aesthetics. Drone shots over turquoise coves look slick, yet club and hotel scenes are blandly lit and resemble low-rent reality TV. The soundtrack offers Instagram-ready Latin-pop loops so generic they're forgotten instantly.

Bottom line: worthwhile Gen-Z self-searching and a valuable pandemic reflection are sabotaged by shallow comedy and cliché overload. A movie that wants to be both sincere and goofy ultimately sinks into Balearic banality. The scattered bright moments only reach 4 out of 10.

It's incredible someone spent money doing this movie and it's a shame Amazon is promoting it. Gave it a try, because it was recommended on Prime, but definetly wouldn't recommend it anyone... I should have checked the IMDB rating first, my bad.

A movie apparently for teenagers that only shows bad values and habits and tries to make it look cool (alcohol, drugs, violence...). Looks like it has been written by a 15 year old student.

I'm young and know that spanish GenZ is much better than what they are trying to portray in this movie. But that's not the only problem, in general the movie is very poor, the topic, narrative, script... Would love to have my 2 hours back!