Detention (2012)

So many movies these days blend into one another, not unlike classes on a long hot and boring day. But this movie stands out, like detention, that you actually enjoy! Although, it won't garner a cult popularity comparable to breakfast club, it is a charming movie. There is scarcely a mention of actual detention in the movie, but that isn't the point. Detention is where you meet the misfits, and that is what this movie is, a misfit.If you think of a movie purely as a visual story narration, that commences at Once upon a time... and concludes with ... and they lived happily ever after, then Detention isn't for you.However, if a movie for you can be a visual art form and like good art, draws the viewer in and captivates the viewer's imagination, then Detention is definitely your jam.Hey, its an early 90s movie! Speaking of jam, remember Michael Jackson's music video Jam. I still don't know why Kris Kross was in Jam or why they are mentioned in Detention, but that hasn't kept me from enjoying both videos.If you've been young at heart through the 90s, you owe it to yourself to watch this movie.

My quick rating 6,5/10. I haven't enjoyed a movie I knew nothing about like this in a long time. Take basically every movie genre, think of a bunch of titles from each, and mash them all up into one all over the place package. To attempt to pin this to one genre is impossible, it attempts them all, and does a pretty good job. Explaining the plot is tough, but this often funny movie encompasses time travel, slasher films, teen comedy and the breakfast club just to name a few of what you are getting into. Nice performances from quite a few unknowns as well. The timing is pretty spot on for the jokes, and are so far off for the scares it is just fun. I am sure anyone can pick this movie to shreds for continuity if they so desire, but very much not worth it. "OMG is she going to give birth to herself" LOL. Suffice it to say, in being so much like so many movies you have seen, this is something you have never seen before. I am unsure why I hadn't seen or heard of this before now but I am glad I finally ran across this one. Oh, and apparently Dane Cook still does have a job...then again, he did recently pop up on American Gods. Good stuff, check it out.

In 1996, Wes Craven came up with an new and innovative concept in horror. He combined a great slasher film, within a murder mystery, while having teenagers mock horror films at the same time. That film was called Scream and it was way ahead of it's time. In 2011, Detention tried to modernize this type of film and fails miserably. Detention is set at Grizzly Lake High School, a school which encompasses everything that is wrong with teenage life today. With a new hit horror film at the top of the box office, one person, who has had enough of the hip/trendy high school life, decides to make the film come to life at Grizzly Lake. This film mocks every modern teenage trend to the point of being offense. The film mocks everything from teens use of social media and cell phones to goths, cutters, emos, bullying, and even teen suicide. The killer on the loose is almost an afterthought in a film that is just in really bad taste. Josh Hutcherson stars as the most popular kid in school, and it is completely unbelievable that the most wanted boy at school is played by a short, hairy kid, with a bad attitude, who happens to be in his twenties. I usually like the roles Hutch decides to play, as they usually suit him to a tee, but Clapton Davis was never meant to be played by someone like him and it's painfully obvious. Hutch is paired with newcomer, Shanley Caswell, an unlucky teenager who often tries and fails to kill herself. She's a super emo outcast, who no one believe would ever be the target of a killer. Overall, Detention is a very mediocre slasher film under the veil of an even lazier comedy. Much like one of it's stars, Dane Cook, Detention tries much too hard to be funny. Comedy should be a natural thing, resulting from unusual events. The writers of this film put so many different types of people into such ridiculous circumstances, that what's supposed to be funny, comes across as stupid, impossible, and downright offensive. Despite the way it looks, Detention isn't even close to being as good as Scream and is most definitely a film you should avoid.

This is one movie that I just looked forward to for a very long time. I couldn't wait! The trailer had me hooked from the word go; I just couldn't explain it and right now, I'm still stuck on what words I want to use.When I described it to my friends, I went with, 'Probably the most epic slasher film that you will ever see. But, don't worry! It's not scary or anything. It's funny and crazy; totally worth the wait.' They didn't buy it. So, I had to win them over with, 'Josh Hutcherson's in it!' Yeah, then they wanted to see it. Typical girlie teenagers.Sure, it WAS fast paced, but it worked! You have to admire the movie for refusing to ever slow down. Ever. There are so many things going on at the same time that it gets you wondering what the film would be like if it HAD slowed down. But, this is what makes it just a little bit more worth watching. It's fun, it's fresh and it looks into the heart of what being a teenager is all about; minus the serial killer and all.There's a part for everybody. I mean, this really sums up what my high school experience has been like. (Again, minus the serial killer... Oh well, it's not too late, yet). The characters stand to represent the varying stereotypes from the past several generations and during the movie, the actors play it up brilliantly and clearly enjoy every single moment of it.In the words of Taylor Fisher, 'If you're anyone who's anyone, you'll go see it.' She's right. Am I the only one who loved the fact that there were aliens and time travel and so many different plays on movies from our past? Not to mention the swapping of brains like it's no big deal AND the fact that a guy can have part fly DNA. Because why the hell not? It's fantastic and it works! Also, Clapton Davis is totally adorable, right? You can't deny Josh Hutcherson the right of having that posted about him. In fact, all of the actresses and actors did these characters justice. I mean, Shanley Caswell, who plays Riley Jones respectively, does play the scream-queen rather well - despite what Ione had to say about that! Riley even states in the movie that she's not 'A retarded Neve Campbell'. No offense, the scream movies are iconic but that series sent that cast on a roller coaster ride that made even me want to leave that town.Anyway! Despite what other people may say; e.g 'Avoid at all costs' blah, blah, blah. Dentention had a frenzy visual style that's both fun and appealing in a ton of ways. Sure, it's obnoxious and distraction and yeah, very fast paced, but again; that's what makes this whole thing work. It's a must watch- for everyone. It's funny, witty, mysterious (admit it, you DIDN'T see it coming) and entertaining at the least. I had one problem and that was the ending. It should have ended with shy, 'serial killer type written all over his face' Toby T singing MmmBop by Hanson at Prom. I loved that- Clapton Davis, who 'don't dance' dances and manages to do a great job at it too and Principal Verge gets the girl after all and turns into a very, very, very, nice guy. I loved all of this. Then, they went further. If I met Mr Joseph Kahn, I'd take him back in that bear time machine and get him to cut that ending out. Completely. Keep Sander dead. I liked that part - very creative, well done. Just end it with Prom. Then, the movie would have been perfect. I cannot stress it enough. I rate this; 9/10 stars. You know why it wasn't a 10. Thankyou!