User reviews

A man buys a video camera to film the surprise party he is throwing for his girlfriend. Unbeknownst to him, the camera is defective and cannot be stopped from recording. In the course of the party, the camera is witness to surprising secrets from virtually every guest in the party, many of whom would rather keep their secrets under wraps and therefore try to destroy the footage and/or camera in a discreet manner when they realize that they have been filmed.

SURPRISE has a really neat concept, but while there were some genuinely funny moments, I ended up not finding it as a funny as I wanted to. I am not sure why, because the dialogue was pretty good, the actors decent and the situations in which the camera was put imaginative. It may be that the comedic timing was not always on point, and some of the secrets were a little too contrived for my taste.

Nevertheless, fans of high concept, found footage, or unusual comedic cinema may wish to give this a watch. Another comedy which is conceptually a bit similar but much funnier is CAMERA SHY (2012).

Doesn't deserve the low rating. Kept me engaged throughout with lots of laughs. Well worth the watch.

Genuinely funny fresh idea on the comedy genre. Sure the acting is kind of cheesy at times but it's bloody hilarious, with non stop quotable lines it makes for a really enjoyable watch. Definitely worth checking out.