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Jennifer's Body (2009)
Starring Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Adam
Brody & Johnny Simmons
Written by Diablo Cody
Directed by Karyn Kusama
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The unrated DVD of "Jennifer's Body" is staring at me. It's trying to entice me to pick it up and see what's been added in the extended Unrated version of the 2009 film starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. Fox plays Jennifer Check, who is probably the hottest flag girl/cheerleader in Devil's Kettle (the small town where the story takes place). Seyfried is Jennifer's BFF, Anita "Needy" Lesnicki. The more you watch this movie, the more you will find out just how close these two were.
The movie is a horror/comedy hybrid and it is the second movie written by Diablo Cody (Juno). It seemed to disappear from the theaters after it was released in 2009 and it's too bad. It may have confused its target audience. Is it scary? Is it funny? Is it more Megan Fox than we saw in "Transformers"?
You can feel the angst between the three main teens in the story: Chip (played by Johnny Simmons), Jennifer and "Needy" (Seyfried). It may not be a normal love triangle but it's like walking a tightrope trying to figure out who loves who or who thinks who's not good for the other. Really, it's not as bad as you think. Roger Ebert even dubbed it as "Twilight" for boys. Chip is the typical good guy. He wants to get the girl of his dreams--even if it kills him.
"Jennifer's Body" does feature some good writing by Cody, although some of the hip dialogue sometimes seems out of place...like it should have stayed in her previous script of "Juno". Karyn Kusama ("Aeon Flux", the live-action film version) directed and "Juno" director Jason Reitman was one of the producers. Still, Cody and Kusama keep the film moving so that you don't want to look away or check your phone for the time.
Amanda Seyfried is amazing. She can go from an innocent singing/dancing/acting role in "Mamma Mia" and then play this complicated teen who's on the verge of a nervous breakdown. However, this movie's plot is pretty much played out in the start of the movie. Needy starts to recall the events that led her to the situation she's in. It may be predictable but her performance as well as the supporting cast will keep you interested.
The unrated version adds some more bite (pun intended) to the theatrical R-rated version. You can go both ways on this dvd and still have a fun time watching "Jennifer's Body". There are some special features but not as much as you would expect. Maybe they're waiting until its 10th anniversary or something to give us the Extreme edition or Extended Director's Cut.
Adam Brody is note perfect as the indie band Low Shoulder's lead singer, Nikolai Wolf. Is it his eyeliner that gives away that he is not what he seems? Heck yeah!! When Jennifer sees them at the Melody Lane club (it's more of a desolate bar in the middle of the woods), her puppy dog eyes seem to fixate on the singer's every move. It's too bad that Jennifer didn't listen to what Needy said about guys like Nikolai. She would have saved herself a lot of trouble. As the band performs its hit "Through the Trees", the rest of the crowd there is oblivious. Needy sees what's happening though. It is eerily reminiscent of a real life event. Hint: there is smoke, fire and a stampede.
J.K. Simmons (from the Spider-Man films, Juno) plays Mr. Wroblewski, a teacher at the high school where all of the horrible things are happening. His appearance (you have to see him to believe it) is one of the quirky things you'll like about this movie.
It may have missed the teen audience at the theaters but then again, it would have lacked the edge it has in the theatrical version. The language is appropriate for an R-rated film, and diehard horror film fans wouldn't want it any other way. The unrated version adds about 5 more minutes. The extended scenes mainly give the filmmakers that freedom to drive their point home...much like Chip does in one of the climactic scenes in the movie. LOL
An example of a great line spoken by one of Needy's classmates: "Rumor? It's true. It's on the Wikipedia!" She says this after Needy tells the class that Low Shoulder didn't do anything to save the people running out of the burning bar.
Fun facts:
♥ It was rumored that actual rockers Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte were considered for the role of Nikolai.
♥ Diablo Cody has a cameo in the bar scene.
♥ Aman Johal, J.K. Simmons and Brody all appeared in producer Jason Reitman's previous films, "Thank You For Smoking" and "Juno".
The film also includes much of what you'd expect from an R-rated horror film: Coarse language, discussions about a succubus, possession, sacrifices, and projectile vomit that's black and messy. If you can look past all of that horror, there are times when the humor comes at just the right moment to relieve your tension. For example, when one of Jennifer's victims is driving to his date with her, he's singing with the radio (the tune playing: "I Can See Clearly Now" covered by Screeching Weasel).
For fans of Megan Fox, you will not be disappointed. If Megan read the telephone book, you'd probably go pay to see that movie, wouldn't you? She does actually play the titillating main role with some moxie. Even when she's in "hunger mode", it is pretty hard to not look at the screen. She then turns hotter than hot after her feeding.
If you're tired of the same old formula "teens in peril" movies, this film will satisfy your hunger to see some edgy horror/comedy. It may not scare the living daylights out of you and it may not rupture your funny bone, but at least it's a fun ride that will leave you humming "Through the Trees" after watching it.
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