Arts & Entertainment

Movie Review: 'Project X' Is a Warning to Parents and Police Everywhere

Film described as an "Animal House" for a new generation.

Ruined dreams, blemished records and new legends are just part of the mayhem that is “Project X.”

The movie follows three high school seniors on a mission to throw a party that no one will ever forget. The “Project X” website describes the movie as “a warning to parents and police everywhere.”

Rene Rodriguez of the Miami Herald called the film “an ‘Animal House’ for a new generation.”

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“Project X is an astounding, superlative movie about reckless adolescence — a brutal, unapologetic comedy about the fantasy every high school kid carries around in his head of being popular and cool and beloved,” she wrote.

Richard Roeper of the Sun-Times categorized “Project X” as more of a “Risky Business” meets “Paranormal Activity” film.

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While Roeper admitting hating the movie at times, he ended up recommending it in part because “there’s something refreshingly twisted about a movie in which the destruction is epic, and the consequences are harsh, at least for some.”

HitFix’s Drew McWeeny also gave the movie a positive review.

“Ultimately it's all about boy-chasing-girl, about as old a teenage movie trope as there is, but it's done with a certain dark majesty, an aggressive sense of brutal humor,” he wrote. “I ultimately liked "Project X," and while I don't think it's a deep experience, it's an authentic experience, and I respect that about it.”

Here’s what other critics had to say:

A perfect storm of texts, tweets and instant messages have brought every party animal in the city through the door … Somewhat remarkably, the longer this gargantuan gathering of the tribes goes on, the better Project X gets. - The Herald Sun
This Todd ("Hangover") Phillips production produces its share of explosive laughs, mostly of the "Oh my God" variety, but it's a wearying "romp," from its tired "lose our virginity" formula to the conceit of making this a "birthday" mockumentary, ostensibly filmed by a goth-video nerd (Dax Flame). - The Seattle Times
[Project X is] an unapologetic and breathlessly amoral cinematic debauch about a California high-school kid whose parents leave town and — prepare yourselves, people! — throws an out-of-control, alcohol-soaked, drug-fueled, sex-crazed, jiggling-naked-breast-filled suburban bacchanal. - My San Antonio

“Project X’ has been rated R by the MPAA for crude and sexual content throughout, nudity, drugs, drinking, pervasive language, reckless behavior and mayhem—all involving teens.


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