In going to the new Flagship Cinema in North Coventry, I was blown by the experience I had and the movie that I watched with my uncle. For starters, the seats were upgraded to recliners, as well as having heated seating. Also, the workers were thoughtful and considerate in making my experience at the movie theater a good one.
Regarding “Good Boys,” I felt mixed as to what kind of movie the filmmakers were presenting. At first glance of the trailer, the movie seemed comparable to “Superbad” or even “American Pie,” but with obnoxious humor and suggestive themes throughout the film involving “tweens.” Though not directed by Seth Rogen or Evan Goldberg but by Gene Stupnitsky, I felt the comedic movie brought me back to a time where kids could be kids. In my opinion, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg probably had a part to play in setting up the characters’ roles and jokes that each rolled out of their mouths.
Before reading any further, there might be minor spoilers for this film. You have been forewarned! Anyway, the main characters in the story were Max, played by Jacob Tremblay, Lucas by Keith L. Williams and Thor by Brady Noon, which are best known as the “beanbag gang.” Each of these characters have a potential flaw seen throughout the movie, such as Thor, who is afraid of being courageous or fitting in a group. Despite this, each character has a strength in which each unite together to do mischief and make reckless decision making. Part of their union together reminded me of a time when I was in grade school in which several kids I looked up to were friends with other kids. Whether the intention of this film was to present audiences with their childhood years on the big screen or not is a mystery.
After viewing the film, I found “Good Boys” to have pros and cons in its presentation. To begin with the cons, there were some moments which I had to stop looking at the screen due to its ludicrous scenes such as the three kids not understanding what a sex doll is used for or the exotic “tools” that the film was alluding to. For instance, the film mentions vitamin pills as a “sex drug” to emphasize its importance to one of the supporting characters. The reason for this emphasis might be because the filmmakers wanted the audience to get a closer idea of what tweens think of relationships. Another drawback to the film was excessive foul language used to emphasize a character’s disgust of something or someone. I hear a lot of the foul language and having it as a gag reel is problematic, despite its importance of relieving a conflicted scenario.
Despite its drawbacks on the language and childish cluelessness, the film does well in presenting the idealized world of a middle schooler. In addition to the film’s presentation, another positive element that the film brought about is the conflict that each character had to overcome in the film. I liked how Max’s dad reacted when he saw the devastation of his house and Max’s reaction of not hearing back from his dad. Lastly, the crude humor mixed with action was completely thrilling to see.
There was one scene in the film which Max, Lucas and Thor meet with frat boys at a frat house to get the vitamin drugs from Benji, played by Josh Caras. Conflict follows suit in which Max reacts by pulling out a paintball gun and threatens Benji to give him the drugs and from there the fight starts. During that fight scene, I laughed so hard, I almost had to excuse myself for my abrupt behavior. Regardless, the scene in which Thor gets punched in the face and Max shooting like a maniac at the frat boys was pure gold.
Overall, my rating of “Good Boys” is mixed, given the amount of funny scenes that are presented and the level of language throughout the film. To those that are interested in seeing this film, this would definitely be a date night movie, but not recommended for adolescents to watch since it’s rated R. Maybe in five to 10 years, adolescents who waited might get the understanding of why this movie was controversial. Above all, do not be fooled by its title, since they are not “Good Boys.”
Nicholas Bartelmo is a fourth-year student majoring in history. NB790429@wcupa.edu