BLOCKERS (2018)

Directed By: Kay Cannon 
Written By: Brian Kehoe & Jim Kehoe 
Cinematography: Russ T. Alsobrook 
Editor: Stacey Schroeder 


Cast: Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena, Gideon Adlon, Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, Gary Cole, June Diane Raphael, Hannibal Buress, Sarayu Blue, Gina Gershon, Ramona Young, Miles Robbins

Three parents try to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night.

This film is brilliantly crafted as it works as a teen movie but also an adult comedy that plays on the identifiable horror of some parents. Especially when it comes to female sexuality to a degree. It seems a certain natural consensus that we believe they don’t have desires or are wrong and misled in them. So that we feel uncomfortable by them.

So that this movie plays On that fear almost like it is a horror movie for parents. Though it cleverly subverts that so that the film shows both sides of the tale and night. So that no one is completely innocent but there aren’t any predators or lotharios that film like this usually present. In fact most of the time and in the hijinks the girls are more the aggressors.

The film gives the leads to actors who usually are in supporting roles in films playing second fiddle half the time other then John Cena who usually plays supporting only in comedies yet leads in actions films. The irony is that they aren’t quite complete leads as the film is more of an ensemble.

All of the characters are identifiable and the film offers no real villain other then fear itself in the minds and imaginations of the characters. As none of the characters are all knowing the girls are smart to a degree but still have certain flights of fancy that could only come from the hopefulness of youth.

The film plays like two movies in one. As we get to see both sides of the night told from different points of view. So that we get a teenage comedy and a raunchy over the top adult comedy. As the film does get quite raunchy yet not disgusting. It does go over the top more on the adults side, but tries to have a certain respect for the material and characters. Though it can get gross such as the vomiting scene and the home invasion sequence.

What is enjoyable other then the general atmosphere and attitude of the comedy. Is that in all of it’s outrageousness the film doesn’t talk down to the audience. It allows both the adults and the teenagers to be right and wrong in their decisions and their manner.

Though the film does allow the girls to be more innocent characters and be raunchy and a bit nasty but also lets them be funny and have fun. As it’s focus is on them. Which is a rarity in Hollywood and a nice change of pace. One hopes to see more female centered comedies like this.

While most of the gross out offensive humor revolves around the adults. As more of the sections that define are devoted to the youths who are dirty but seen as more innocent. As they try to define their characters. As they learn about themselves. As one is slowly coming to the realization of her sexuality. The other is in love and wants to lose her virginity as this is a sign to her of love devotion and growing up. The other one who is more masculine wants to just have fun and enjoy herself not necessarily ex though she is into the idea even as they have a pact to all lose their virginity that might.

As this film is hilarious through and through. Yet always stays identifiable no matter how silly it might get.


Grade: B