Project X (2012)

Back in 1969, Italian director Federico Fellini made a film called Satyricon, which was little more than a document of the corruption and immorality that occurred during the days of Ancient Rome. That movie is a classic not because of what it depicted, but how it did, in a way that disturbed and repulsed viewers. The new movie Project X has somewhat similar content, but without the repulsion. Here is a motion picture experience unlike any I have yet seen. To say I was disgusted is side-stepping the real issue. This film is just plain terrible. It is yet another "found footage" movie, a technique that is thankfully becoming annoying to its target audience, helmed by first-time director Nima Nourizadeh, produced by The Hangover's Todd Phillips, and written by Michael Bacall and Matt Drake. Why this thing needed two screenwriters I have no idea.

The movie begins with a brief introduction to the main characters that consist of one guy who is annoying to distasteful extremes, one guy who is very unpopular due to his nerdy look and attitude, and the main character who is having a birthday party that gets wildly out of control. This last one is actually the hero of the movie because, after some hesitation, he allows a party to take place that virtually ruins his life, but makes him extremely popular. This party, which takes up the majority of the movie, involves any number of mean-spirited, lecherous, and illegal activities taking place and is not in the slightest bit amusing or entertaining. A midget is forcefully locked in an oven before going around punching everyone in the nethers. Ecstasy is downed like it's the 60s. Things eventually do start blowing up. It makes me just sick to think that anyone would go through any of this and still think they had a good time (The hero spends much of the party half-asleep.), but possibly more unsettling is to think that anyone would watch it and have a good time. The movie is a mental drain, edited like a fast-paced music video that goes on way, WAY too long. There is no rhyme or reason to the flow of the movie, which is nothing more than a compilation of snippets and episodes thrown together to make you envious. All I got was motion sickness.

I think one of the primary reasons I find this such a vile picture is because, while the neighborhood usually doesn't catch flame at the end, this sort of thing happens all the time. People will sit in the theater and think that what they are seeing is cool, when they should be realizing how utterly idiotic it all is. The movie presents many occurrences that are a genuine danger to these kids and without consequences. A college education, potential prison time, and one's general well-being are all ignored in the name of partying. Two years ago, I said that The Social Network was the movie of my generation, the prime historical example of what this era was like. Now we have Project X to provide an even more in-depth view of the more filthy side of things, without the insight Network had and completely without shame. It is one of the worst movies I have seen.

2/10