That’s right. I’m going against popular opinions, the overall teenage demographics and those damn tomatoes. It wouldn’t be the first time (I’m still hoping Hillary pulls through.)
Since I’m tired and I don’t think this is going to be a particularly interesting post, I’ll keep this short and to the point. For those of you who don’t know the back story yet, check this out first.
At least it was a short movie.
The Pros:
1) The acting across the board was fantastic. Ellen Page was better in Hard Candy but she was pulled this role off pretty well too.
Michael Cera — same character in every other thing he’s ever been in — and it still works like the gift that keeps on giving.
The rest of the supporting cast (minus that dude from The American Office) was equally impressive. Most impressive was Jennifer Gardner who I was never that big a fan of but pulled off a great, simple but genuinely good character without once reminding me that she is in fact married to a talentless douche in real life.
2) Um… well, there’s the… and the…
The Cons:
1) Jason Reitman. Hopefully he’s a teenage kid (I won’t read his bio for fear that it’ll just confirm my hunch that he’s probably in his late 20’s or 30’s) riding his dad’s wave to jumpstart an otherwise mediocre career thus far. He used the musical cues that are very reminiscent of Wes Anderson. He essentially used the tone and themes of EVERY SINGLE SHOW EVER ON THE WB (currently The CW)! The shots were equally unimpressive. I didn’t get a solid filmmaker feel from any of the shots. It’s more like a solid TV director for the WB. Safe. Nothing new or interesting. Like a movie made by a guy who probably wouldn’t have a career if not for his father’s legacy. Paul Thomas Anderson’s dad was also in the same business but at least Paul brought something fresh, exciting and wholly inspirational. Same with Sofia Coppola. Jason Reitman? Eh. He’s like the rich guy in school who tries to act like it doesn’t really define who he truly is and tries to hide it. That is, until he needs to get into a party, club, gets arrested, needs a job, etc. etc. etc. Then what do you think his first go to card is?
But back to the movie. Listen, this kid has now made two movies in a row that was lauded by the critics and both of which underwhelmed me. He’s firmly establishing himself as a filmmaker who’ll probably have a solid career without earning any respectable awards like a lifetime achievement or an AFI salutes or anything of that stature. But he’ll make some money for sure. Good for him. Michael Bay has money too. I’m sure he’s really happy and proud of himself. I’m sure Michael Bay isn’t one of those guys who throws parties for himself and just plays it off like he doesn’t know who threw it for him.
2) The script. Structurally, it was pretty much a textbook job from any number of Syd Field or a Linda Seger books (yes, I’ve read them all). So then I’m assuming that all that hoopla over this flick’s script was mainly in the dialogue. Here’s the thing about that, NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT. Okay, maybe in Juno’s world, Juno is just so scary precocious and oh so clever that she says stuff like, “I’m forshizz up the spout” and “I’m calling to procure a hasty abortion”. Fine, I’ll give you that much former stripper-turned-voice of a new generation, writer lady. But really? Her friends, family, neighbors of various financial status and EVEN THE FRIGGIN CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK! They all speak this friggin’ super hip gibberish?! And it’s not even all that hip or cool to begin with.
I’m losing steam.
Actually, that’s about it.
Now, was Juno as disappointing as say Little Miss Sunshine a couple of years ago? No. Now that movie just plain sucked wet donkey anus. Juno was a bit more enjoyable than that. But not by much. It’s like, I feel like all I did was watch a shortened Cliff’s Notes season of any number of dramadies on The CW.
But what do I know? Juno did really well at the box office. And that means it must be a great flick, right?
Say, didn’t Armageddon do well at the box office too? That movie about a bunch of out of shape oil technicians who are blasted off into space to drill into an asteroid? Didn’t that movie do really well that year? Yeah, Juno is just like Armageddon.
Posted by cap
Posted by cap
