Status Update

STATUS UPDATE is a mediocre that runs a little bit longer then I would have liked but I managed to stick it out to the end. It is not the kind of movie that I would ever like to watch again nor is it the one I would recommend to my friends but I will add that it is not terrible. It was mildly entertaining at times. Certainly enough so that I watched the whole thing and was not too bored although I did not give it much of a though afterward and it is doubtful I will even remember it a year from now.

Looking at this film from the perspective of its target audience, which is basically teens/young adults, It quite a solid film. A story about being true to yourself, but its told in a unique way. Actors did fine, plot was well written if maybe slightly over the top at times. Its hard to write a film about wishes coming true because the wording of any wish can always be open to interpretation, but I think Status Update captures the magic of it quite well. The pace is good, Cinematics fine for a lower budget film. I wouldn't call it an overly funny film, although it does have its moments.

If you or your children like Glee, then you will probably like this. Its worth a watch if you like the Teenage Fantasy genre and a bit of fun; But not one for serious critics, hence some of the previous reviews.

Not sure why so much hate. This was yes cheesy and predictable but it was funny and sweet. I'm from the era of footloose, ghost, dirty dancing when cheese was in. It was a nice Change from gore and super heroes and fast cars...

There are several themes going on here, including a family breaking up, but the main theme is the California skate boarder who has to move to Connecticut and enter a new high school where ice hockey reigns. The usual scripted bullying starts right away and the new guy has to find a way to overcome it.

In a hallway incident one of the hockey jocks destroys the new boy's phone and when he goes to the mall to see if it can be repaired a mysterious man (reminded me of the Don Knotts role in 'Pleasantville') at a kiosk offers him a phone app which basically anything he types into his status update become reality. Martial arts master, got it. Good singer, got it. Play like a pro hockey player, got it.

So it is all juvenile silliness, guy gets the girl, loses the girl, gets revenge, but eventually realizes he isn't being true to himself and others. But I enjoyed it, all of it, the novelty of the approach, the temporary escape from reality. Not high art but more entertaining than a comedy TV series.

Of note a minor character, sister of the boy, is played by Brec Bassinger, a young actress who this past year starred in a TV series "Stargirl." It was fun to see her before her big breakout.

I watched it at home on Amazon streaming movies.

Ross Lynch and Olivia Holt's chemistry in this movie, especially the Bruno Mars scene, is insane. My daughter and I watched that cafeteria dance scene more times than I can count. He's so confidant, charismatic and talented. Olivia Holt is also quite the singer. Entertaining movie for it's intended target audience. Take it for what it is and just have fun watching it.