MovieChat Forums > Detention (2012) Discussion > Sweet Holy Jesus, this movie had NO idea...

Sweet Holy Jesus, this movie had NO idea what the hell it was doing

posted 12 years ago by RevengeOfBobRoss
17 replies | jump to latest

I mean, it was occasionally funny, but I'll be honest- the complete outlandishness and idiocy caused me to laugh more than any actual jokes. The fact that this movie exists is a joke in and of itself.

The first half is a Diablo Cody-esque (or maybe parody, the film isn't quite sure of the difference) reference parade of loud, colorful, obnoxiously idiotic people. If Scream was metafiction, this is meta-metafiction, so far down the rabbit hole of self-awareness that it goes beyond any logical comprehension. Literally- it is impossible to comprehend this movie. I dare you to make logical, sensible conclusions from it or understand all of the plot points. You can't. I think that's part of the point, but it gets dangerously close to Epic Movie-level badness.

For example- once we get to the Fly reference (or more plot strand), where the high-school jock is literally half-fly because of the apparent weird alien activity around the town of Grizzly Lakes, the movie delves into a reality-breaking series of aliens, time travel, 90210 parodies, movies within movies within movies within movies, resurrecting people who have clearly died, Patrick Swayze and Steven Seagal look-alikes showing up to lend their fighting skills to teenagers, someone literally becoming pregnant with themselves, another person staying the same age for 19 years, and a bizarre sequence involving a bear turning into a robot and being abducted (once again) by aliens.

It's like if Scott Pilgrim, Jennifer's Body, Rubber, the liquor store scene from Superbad, Scream, and Donnie Darko all met together and had a huge orgy, and somehow begat one baby.

The problem is that the movie goes in so many different directions that it can't keep any focus, make any coherent point, be any kind of analogy, or create any relatable characters. It's also in this awkward spot of not really being a parody, but not really being a Tucker & Dale vs. Evil or Behind the Mask, i.e. a loving wink at horror movies, either. It seems more intent on being both a critique of hyperactive MTV-style pop culture, while also belonging in that same genre it cuts down. Not only does it want to have its cake and eat it, too, but it throws in a bagel, some donuts, and a giant plate of chocolate chip cookies while it's at it.

I can see this movie being a cult hit in the next few years, but man is this movie unbearable for at least 70 percent of its thankfully short runtime. My head nearly exploded. I pulled at my hair. I seriously PULLED AT MY GODDAMN HAIR. The plot synopsis literally only describes about 15 minutes of the film. The first hour and the last 15 minutes have virtually nothing to do with detention or a slasher movie villain.

I'm gonna go slam my face into a waffle griddle now.

I believe I'm a chicken.

[–] Post-Crunk 12 years ago

I concur 100%. This is perhaps the most severe case of cinematic identity crisis I've ever experienced.

[–] the-twist 12 years ago

The film knew EXACTLY what it was doing. The identity crisis was PART of that, though. The film is meant to be the ultimate "high school" movie. One character is living through a typical comedy, the other a superhero film, another a slasher, etc, etc.

Joseph Kahn has said that he inentionally made the film as fast-paced and reference-filled as he could because he feels no one is making movies for teenagers anymore. Teenager culture moves faster than any other (this is referenced in the opening minutes of the film with the band), and social media/news is now expected to be updated by the minute. Kahn wanted to make a film that was as fast and pop-culture oriented as he feels the "new audience" demands.

Even if you don't like this movie, I think you've got to repsect how intense it is, and honestly, I think the end result was petty damned phenominal.

[–] Psychological_Gold 12 years ago

It sure feels like a comedy for the ADD generation, but that still doesn't make it a worthwhile movie. Maybe if it focused squarely on being a comedy, instead of injecting superfluous horror elements--it might've worked. Doubt it, though.

[–] dophin26 12 years ago

Gotta go with the OP on this one. Good post!

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] frozenspam42 12 years ago

Actually the movie was extremely clever. There are TONNES of references in the first half that make a lot more sense on the second viewing. Look carefully at the trophy case in one of the very first scenes.

Almost everything in this movie has some kind of payoff, that's why I love it.

[–] optimusprime12345 12 years ago

Wow I am agreeing with you but what kept me interested was the time travel that was interesting and does anyone know what a horror movie is any more I guess not because this was not it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2xkQjkW4bk <-----puppy power

[–] Evil_Flip 12 years ago

This is a movie that wants to be everything, but doesn't get a single thing right. When you want to mix genres and try odd things you need to understand why of how you want to do it like that. These people just figured 'fu(n)k it, I can do this. I directed Torque, I know everything.'

[–] ChefC 12 years ago

Precisely how I felt about this movie.

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Gone too soon:
Firefly
New Amsterdam
Journeyman
Life
terriers
SGU
Prime Suspect

[–] starcraftbw88 12 years ago

Yes, what a god damn mess and waste of time.

[–] Diagoro 12 years ago

"For example- once we get to the Fly reference (or more plot strand), where the high-school jock is literally half-fly because of the apparent weird alien activity around the town of Grizzly Lakes, the movie delves into a reality-breaking series of aliens, time travel, 90210 parodies, movies within movies within movies within movies, resurrecting people who have clearly died, Patrick Swayze and Steven Seagal look-alikes showing up to lend their fighting skills to teenagers, someone literally becoming pregnant with themselves, another person staying the same age for 19 years, and a bizarre sequence involving a bear turning into a robot and being abducted (once again) by aliens."

That all sounds pretty awesome!

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"Another brilliant post Steinberg..."

[–] smegmausa 12 years ago

I loved it!

[–] sabretoothrulz 12 years ago

I simply could NOT have put it better myself! Well done, thats exactly how i felt about this *beep* of a movie.

[–] mindsoulja 12 years ago

whoever made this movie had a hard on for scott pilgrim vs the world..the problem being that movie was good and this one sucked hard with teeth... the main chick made this unbearable for me

[–] AlaskaJimmy 12 years ago

actually, no.
i tried watching scott pilgrim vs the world a few days a go and i could honestly die of boredom, thank god my friends thought it was awful too so we stopped it. on the other hand, detention made me laugh and i thought it was brilliant.

[–] ChiStyleSports 12 years ago

Like another poster said, this film knew exactly what it was doing. Everything in this movie wrapped up nicely at the end. This is really one of those movies where you cannot stop paying attention at all, or you lose everything.

I honestly think this film is vastly underrated because of how intense everything is...from the writing to the execution.

A Fire Will Rise