The best by far of the movies released through Halestorm--possibly because it wasn't written by a Hale. The Hales, of course, do a fine job of catering to their Mormon audience (as is indicated by the success of all of their recent movies, INCLUDING "the hometeachers". If you've seen it, you'll know why it's so surprising that the movie has turned a profit.) This movie, however, addresses its niche market (Mormons) while still telling a STORY! No joke, a real, honest-to-goodness story, with emotional ups and downs, humor, pathos, interest, the works. It's NOT just a vehicle for a bunch of cliché Mormon jokes with a moral duct-taped to the end. (Again, I refer you to "the hometeachers", "the RM", etc. etc.) Although it doesn't quite approach the depth of emotion of some of Dutcher's movies, this is an excellent film.
For those of you who want a summary: We start out in the Mojave desert, at what is apparently a camp for juvenile delinquents. Don't lose it here. About fifteen minutes in to the movie I was about to assume this was going to be a horribly dull movie, and I place the responsibility for that primarily on the general, who's not nearly funny and one-dimensional enough. (He's a stock character, find someone who yells...) Two young men escape from the camp, steal a truck and head out, only to have their truck break down. When two missionaries stop at the same rest-stop, the escapees hop into the car and are able to pose as missionaries for the next several days while the real missionaries struggle through the desert. Hilarity, of course, ensues. Some of the acting leaves a bit wanting (the real Elder Johnson and the fake Elder Talbot are both excellent, though) and some of the plot-lines don't seem necessary (why is it so important that Justin, the fake Elder Johnson, is the son of a Senator? Why is there that crazy old woman flying the plane around all the time?)
I give it an eight for its great addition to a niche market. (I don't say others can't enjoy it, but I do think the film makers did an excellent job by identifying and targeting their market.)
