CINEMASTANCE GRADE: B-
And the winner for worst title of the year goes to…..Happy Death Day! If you haven’t heard of it, I can give you a real quick synopsis…..
…It’s just like Groundhog Day. The filmmakers know it. And they also know that you know it and assume you’ll be fine with it. I was, for the most part. It was an understanding I had going in. I watched the trailer and it takes three seconds to realize that….
…It’s just like Groundhog Day. There is apparent no need to justify the repetition; no effort to explain the stuttering, looped plot or the carbon copy relationship between the two films. This simply happens in the Cinematic Universe, I suppose. People relive the same day over and over again until the necessary adjustments are made. Bill Murray needed to change his ways and become a better person, Jessica Rothe (our likable victim stuck on repeat here) needs to solve her own murder. And she also needs to change her ways and become a better person because Happy Death Day refuses to have an original thought. It doesn’t have to because….
…It’s just like Groundhog Day. And everyone loved that movie. So why not like this movie? Well, to be honest, it’s kinda. Screenwriter Scott Lobdell (mostly known for his work on the X-Men animated series) takes an illogical premise and takes the dumb even deeper. Happy Death Day doesn’t make much sense, doesn’t play by its own reasons and rules. It leans into stupidity and relishes the lack of reasoning. But who cares,…
…It’s just like Groundhog Day. And that movie didn’t make sense either. Not really. And, just like Groundhog Day, you can let the logic go and have a good time if you’re up for it. Rothe is plenty fun to watch as she eases into her character and the movie finds some rhythm about half-way through. There is little gore and, at PG-13, its fine for most audiences. It’s fun. It’s fine. It’s non-threatening and….
…It’s just like Groundhog Day. And Edge of Tomorrow. But that too was…
….just like Groundhog Day. And Edge of Tomorrow. But that too was…
….just like Groundhog Day. And Edge of Tomorrow. But that too was…