Detention

one of the most bizarre, ludicrous stories i've seen in a long time. it's all so wacky and out there (including time-traveling mom/daughter freaky friday-style bodyswapping, a magnetic bear mascot, a serial killer and a breakfast club-like set-up for the third act) that a decent portion of it works sheerly based on the bizarro factor. unfortunately, despite commitment to the concept more fails than works. it is far less clever that it thinks, and too clever for its own good. even some fun performances by the leads don't redeem some of the shoddy scripting and over-meta referencing. chalk this... read more

this was... a lot. if you go into detention with the wrong frame of mind, skeptical or with a very narrow view about what movies should be, chances are you're gonna loathe it. joseph kahn is mostly known for directing several award-winning music videos for people like eminem and britney spears, and... torque. you know, that movie that everyone thinks is a straight-faced fast & furious cash-in. so the key here is to not take it and yourself too seriously. even when it's being obnoxious and tongue-in-cheek, there's too much visual skill and willingness to entertain in kahn's genes to read more

apart from a couple of moments where it manages to make people laugh, the film is too self-conscious, and thinks it is funnier than it really is. read more