Project X Review

Project X Review

March 11, 2012

Move over Jack and Jill; we have a new contender for worst film of 2012 in Project X. It may even deserve the title of worst film ever

Ordinarily, I love found footage films: last year’s Norwegian Troll Hunter was wonderful; I even enjoy mockumentary horrors like Paranormal Activity and REC despite being a massive wuss. We’ve already seen Chronicle this year (I loved it) which contributed to the genre, even if it was a little contrived. Sadly, the genre is getting old and really needs a fresh idea to invigorate the concept. When I saw the trailer for Project X I thought it would be an interesting take on found footage films; I can’t recall a mockumentary that revolves around the planning and execution of a birthday party. I should have taken the hint when, after just one week, showings dropped to one a day screened at 9.25, that it would appeal to a select audience rather than everyone.

Project X stars an assortment of unknown actors as a group of friends celebrate Thomas (Thomas Mann)’s seventeenth birthday by throwing a house party with a difference. Costa (Oliver Cooper) invites pretty much everyone he’s at school with, encouraging Thomas and JB (Jonathan Brown) to do the same as this is their chance to get together with some girls. The party soon spirals out of control whilst Dax (Dax Flame) captures everything on his expensive video camera.

It was incredibly difficult to write that synopsis without expressing my pure hatred for Project X. Featuring everything that anyone could possibly find offensive (nudity, violence, drug misuse, alcohol misuse, putting a dwarf in an oven – yes, really) this film takes torture porn to a whole new level. It’s also the most chauvinistic piece of cinema I have seen in a long time, blowing even The Hangover (coincidentally, Project X is produced by the wolfpack’s director Todd Phillips) out of the water. There were times when I, without realising it, audibly showed my disgust: a female partygoer urinates on the floor; revellers tie helium balloons to a dog sending him off into the sky; and endless amounts of vomit. My sounds of disgust were lost amongst laughter from people who didn’t look old enough to see this 18 certificate movie; it’s worrying that some of the audience found this film entertaining. Someone even commented, on leaving the showing, that he wished he could attend a similar party.

Project X is like Skins, but perhaps one hundred times worse: more offensive, more shocking, and even more terrible. I didn’t care about any of the characters; there wasn’t a single likeable person in the entire movie. Even Thomas’ father, I’m sorry if this is a spoiler, presents as weirdly proud of his son’s destruction. Even though there is a cute dog in this film, it didn’t make Project X any more tolerable. I didn’t smile once, never mind laugh or snigger; not even a Yorkshire Terrier on a bouncy castle can save this film.

The best Project X can do is serve as a cautionary tale: hopefully it will show teenagers how not to be a complete dick. Fingers crossed it will also advise future directors and writers how not to make a film. Horrifyingly, a sequel has already been announced. It’s too late for this franchise; the best we can hope for is for this not to spawn a cluster of copy cat films.

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15 Responses so far.

Fernando Quintero says:

March 11, 2012 at 7:29 pm

Nice review, Amy! Sorry you had to sit through this crap movie. After the disaster that was The Hangover Part II (I’m a still a big fan of the first film), I’ll probably skip everything remotely related to Todd Phillips. And I understand how you felt towards Project X; I had a similar reaction to Hangover II: http://fernandorafael.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/the-hangover-part-ii/

Reply
- Amy says:
  
  March 12, 2012 at 9:40 pm
  
  Thanks very much Fernando, I think it is incredibly wise to ignore all of Phillips’ work! My review of The Hangover Part II is along the same lines as yours!
  
  Reply
Kieran says:

March 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm

Seems you took the bullet for us all Amy! I don’t understand how a sequel can offer anything new and interesting even to the fans of the first!
Just think of all the millions lost on this crud.

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- Amy says:
  
  March 12, 2012 at 9:38 pm
  
  I certainly did, I’ve never seen such utter crap at the cinema before. I was so angry! I can’t believe a sequel is in the works, it makes me so cross to think that will get automatic funding when independent films don’t get any money. There really isn’t something right there.
  
  Reply
Dom says:

March 12, 2012 at 10:27 am

Haha! I love the brutality… I say more reviews like this, it made my morning.

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- Amy says:
  
  March 12, 2012 at 9:36 pm
  
  Thanks Dom, it was strangely cathartic to write such an angry review. I don’t think a film has provoked such a strong negative reaction before!
  
  Reply
Dan says:

March 13, 2012 at 11:47 am

I’ve read a number of negative reviews about this film but this was the most enjoyable one! Good stuff Amy. I’ve yet to see the film but I don’t think I’ll be subjecting myself to its horribleness.

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- Amy says:
  
  March 15, 2012 at 6:59 pm
  
  Thank you very much Dan, that’s very kind of you to say so! I’m g lad you enjoyed it. It’s a terrible film though, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone at all despite one of my favourite magazines (Little White Lies) giving it a positive(ish) write up!
  
  Reply
Andina says:

March 13, 2012 at 5:00 pm

Based on your review, I may have to skip this one. Thanks for sharing your views!

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- Amy says:
  
  March 15, 2012 at 7:00 pm
  
  It think that’s advisable, Andina! It wasn’t pleasant at all
  
  Reply
3guys1movie says:

March 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm

Your review has confirmed my worst suspicions about this film. Not really surprised that some morons, psychopaths and mental defectives would enjoy giving this film a watch. “excess ain’t rebellion, if your buying what they are selling”

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- Amy says:
  
  March 19, 2012 at 8:51 am
  
  It was completely horrific. I heard a review yesterday where someone enjoyed it because they were “on the right side of 20″. I agree, people who like this film are entirely moronic. Thanks for the comment!
  
  Reply
Joe says:

January 1, 2013 at 12:03 am

While I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, I have to completely disagree with you. No, this is not my favorite found footage film, in fact it’s my least favorite; however, I enjoyed it for what it was: a movie about a crazy HIGHSCHOOL party, in which DUMB/DRUNK HIGHSCHOOLERS will make terrible mistakes. Wasn’t expecting much more than that, and I got what I expected. (hell this was even based on a real life party in which the real person responsible for the party was a total idiot). I’d say the film succeeded on that matter. But whatever, if you did not like it and that’s ok. My problem is what you say about others who enjoyed this film.

First of all, I find it highly offensive that you say that ” people who like this film are entirely moronic.” That statement itself is “entirely moronic.” I love all types of films with my tastes transcending different genres. I liked this movie (note how I did not call it a film, I do believe there is a difference between the two terms), but that does not make me moronic. Yes, this movie is about a party going haywire, what else did you expect from it? Maybe it is you who is “entirely moronic” for not realizing it was supposed to depict a crazy party where crazy/offensive events occur.

“it’s worrying that some of the audience found this film entertaining.” This is also a very poor comment for a reviewer to make. Your job is to review the film, not judge the film’s admirers. Maybe this is not your type of movie, which is fine. But some people are able to shut off their brains and enjoy the film, this does not make them moronic, it means they are looking for something they can watch without thinking too much and enjoy themselves. Stick to reviewing the movie, not the audience because you are not better than anyone for having a “higher” taste in films.

My point is, keep to reviewing the movie and stop judging the audience that the movie is targeted for (which clearly is not you).

Reply
- Amy says:
  
  January 7, 2013 at 8:46 pm
  
  Thanks very much for your comment, Joe. It’s always good to read the other side of things.
  
  In hindsight, I was probably far too harsh on this film because it left me so angry. I should have sat on it a little, rather than publishing it straight away. And you’re right, I’m writing about the film; not the audience.
  
  Thanks for such an articulate, constructive comment though. I wish that reviewing was my job, but it’s just something I do for fun in my spare time; which probably makes my opinion even less credible.
  
  Reply
Reece says:

March 10, 2013 at 4:52 am

I’m really weird when it comes to this film. Everything about it screams “THIS IS AWFUL. HATE IT. HATE IT NOW” but I find myself having a good time with it. I’m not sure if it’s just my inner immaturity, but there were plenty of moments where I had a guilty laugh, and I’m ashamed to say I really enjoyed it, despite the universal disgust with it. Should I have shame? =(

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