Archives for July 27, 2015

This highly anticipated film, Paper Towns is adapted from the bestselling novel by author John Green.  Paper Towns is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Brianna B. comments, “Paper Towns is a really good film that I’m sure that teenage girls will definitely love to watch. This well-anticipated film is interesting, fun and different.”  Harmony M. adds, “The film is great and entertaining, no doubt about that, but the ending does not seem to do justice for the amazing build up.” See their full reviews below.

Paper Towns

By Brianna B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15

John Green’s adaptation of Paper Towns is a really good film that I’m sure that teenage girls will definitely love to watch. This well-anticipated film is interesting, fun and different. The comedy is great and will absolutely keep you laughing.

Quentin (Nat Wolff) and Margo (Cara Delevingne) spend an exhilarating and heart racing night together as they go on an adventure through their hometown. Afterwards Margo unexpectedly vanishes. As Quentin and his friends go on a quest to find Margo, the mystery of her life begins to unravel and Quentin discovers a little bit more about himself.

Paper Towns is a mystery, drama and romance all wrapped up in one. It offers a view of high schoolers that is pretty true to life. I’m sure it will remind some adults of their younger days and the adventures they took. This is Cara Delevingne’s first leading film role and I appreciated her acting and the chemistry she seemed to have with the rest of the cast. As a Floridian, I feel great pride and joy that this film is set in the state where I live. I enjoyed seeing some familiar places.

My favorite character in this film is Ben (Austin Abrams) because he’s very funny. His actions, words and expressions all have great humor. Even though I don’t have a specific favorite scene, a couple of the scenes that I really enjoy watching, are the scenes during the long road trip from Florida to New York. The conversations and situations that take place during this drive and, especially while in the rest area, are very funny and it definitely made me laugh. The score fills itself with many familiar songs and I enjoyed the music throughout the film.

I had some confusion throughout the film and questioned many of the characters’ decisions and their reactions to some situations they were dealing with.

I recommend this film for ages 13 to 18 due to some language and mature content that are inappropriate for younger ages. I give Paper Town 3½ out of 5 stars, because of the confusion in the film.

Paper Towns is in theaters now, so please check it out.

Paper Towns

By Harmony Makhfi

The highly anticipated film, Paper Towns is a great, complex, well thought-out movie that sadly falls a little short from my expectations. The film is great and entertaining, no doubt about that, but the ending does not seem to do justice for the amazing build up.

Paper Towns, adapted from the famous book by John Green, is about a shy teenage boy named Quentin whose long developed love for his mysterious neighbor, Margo influences him to join her mission to get revenge on the people who have betrayed her. After a long night of adventurous mischief, their completely different personalities connect and Quentin realizes that he may be the only one who really understands Margo and decides he cannot get over his love for her.  The next day, Margo goes missing and it is when Quentin gathers her clues and uses his ambition of love to search for her.

This film is the hardest film I have ever reviewed because it left me with mixed emotions. The character that the movie revolves around is not one that the audience gains a connection with. Margo, who is amazingly well played by the wonderful Cara Delevingne, is not loved by or emotionally connected to the audience, which is intentionally used to provide unexpected depth but doesn’t leave the viewer with any sort of attachment to the character. The movie is wonderful, but disappointing because the ending is not a happy or sad, it is a confusing in-between where you feel that no one really gets anything out of it. However, many would appreciate that because it shows realism and avoids a cliché ending. The film has great cinematic value and proves to be of great quality but I can understand how people can either love it or dislike it due to the unpredictable ending and feeling like there is no climax. Most films are either good or bad based on the quality of the aspects such as storyline, dialogue, acting, sets, music or costumes. This film’s aspects are good but the depth and realism may not give the audience what they want and lead to some people appreciating that and some people not. Because of that, I definitely recommend people watch it and decide for themselves if they think it is good or not.

On the other hand, the movie is hilarious while also maintaining the complexity to make the audience think. The film is really well written and directed. It is extremely satisfying for all the John Green fans to see the reappearance of Nat Wolff and a cameo of Ansel Elgort, which made the theatre gasp and squeal. At times I also found myself laughing really hard and not wanting the movie to end. The acting, cinematography, music and dialogue are works of art. I recommend the film for people between the ages of 13 and 30 and give it 4 out of 5 stars.  It is in theaters July 24 so go check it out.

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Upcoming Attractions. www.kidsfirst.org.