jljacobi

I rate most of Christopher Guest's movies very high indeed, however, this one left me flat.

Maybe it's the subject matter, maybe it's just that the improv was too close to home for the performers to really treat it with the camp it deserves. It's difficult to say, but the magic just doesn't seem to be there.

I'm not sure I laughed even once, and if I did it was strained. Then again, maybe my time in Hollywood makes it difficult to laugh at some of this stuff.

Whatever the case, the tone is off compared to the fantastic "Best of Show", "A Mighty Wind", etc.

The good news is that the subsequent effort, "Mascots" rounded back into form. And despite this miss, I'd like to see more from the Spinal Tap guitar hero.

Is it a great movie? No, but I did enjoy it enough that I never hit the fast forward button. It's inoffensive enough that I might even be able to watch it again.

The actors are personable, and the basic premise is workable, but the script is enh. In the hands of someone with real talent and imagination, it could've been worked into a classic.

Instead, there are all the modern Hollywood action and comedy tropes. All of which remind you of other movies where they've likely been done better.

The movie drags in spots, usually thanks to overly long scenes. What happened to the tight cut??

I did find myself enjoying the ending, which is refreshingly old school. As in they didn't try to subvert expectations or put a cynical spin on things.

I found many of the reviews overly harsh, which I suppose happens when you view a movie that could've been great, but was merely good.

Give it a watch, and be patient. It builds momentum.

Yes, this movie operates on probably the stupidest pretext in the history of Hollywood. Which is saying something.

So stupid that it leaves the movie to reach one of two possible outcomes, and it's not hard to guess which of the two.

Also, the antagonists are so grossly overpowered that it ruins a lot of what little suspense is generated.

Good stuff? Every thing and nearly every one is likable. There's barely any woke nonsense (there are a couple of instances -- this is modern Hollywood after all.)

The movie has a brisk pace, except for one notable stretch, which comes as a welcome rest. The movie also isn't too long and has some (not tons) of heart.

If it sounds like I'm setting a very low bar, I am. I hate most modern movies and the fact that I sat through this one and wasn't bored says something.

Gone with the Wind it ain't, but it's inoffensive fun by current standards.

I doubt it will stand up to a second viewing though, if I noticed so many plot holes the first time around.