While Blockers is certainly a comedy, the dramatic performances truly stand out to make the film meaningful. The film was marketed as a stupid comedy full of chuckles here and there, but after viewing the film it is clear that there are deeper messages portrayed through the plot. Parents often think that they know what is best for their children, but Blockers displays the fact that sometimes teenagers should be able to choose how to live themselves. Leslie Mann (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), John Cena (Trainwreck), and Ike Barinholtz (Suicide Squad, Neighbors) act as "mature" adults who are trying to prevent their daughters from making rash decisions on prom night. The immaturity of these three points out the flaws in trying to control the destiny of a younger person.
The real standout performances come from the three teenage girls portrayed by Kathryn Newton (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Lady Bird), Geraldine Viswanathan (EMO the Musical), and Gideon Adlon (American Crime). These actresses rebel against their parents to make a point. The character development leads each of them down a different path even after they originally decide to follow the same path. While the first half of the film slowly unravels, the story quickly picks up to lead the characters into certain directions. Each of the storylines are relatable and seem like plausible occurrences. These teenagers create realistic characters even when the parents are exasperatingly over-protective.
The Bottom Line: Blockers may not be as funny as audiences were hoping for, but the message hits the nail on the head.
Score: 6.5/10
The real standout performances come from the three teenage girls portrayed by Kathryn Newton (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Lady Bird), Geraldine Viswanathan (EMO the Musical), and Gideon Adlon (American Crime). These actresses rebel against their parents to make a point. The character development leads each of them down a different path even after they originally decide to follow the same path. While the first half of the film slowly unravels, the story quickly picks up to lead the characters into certain directions. Each of the storylines are relatable and seem like plausible occurrences. These teenagers create realistic characters even when the parents are exasperatingly over-protective.
The Bottom Line: Blockers may not be as funny as audiences were hoping for, but the message hits the nail on the head.
Score: 6.5/10
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