Even some of the better horror films make do with scripts you’d be embarrassed to read as a school assignment.
The same can’t be said for the new horror comedy “Jennifer’s Body,” penned by newly minted Oscar winner Diablo Cody.
The “Juno” scribe’s follow-up feature wisely deflates much of the pressure associated with her first post-”Juno” project, and her ear for tasty dialogue hasn’t diminished a bit.
But this “Body” is remarkably thin, despite the presence of Hollywood’s reigning hottie, Megan Fox.
“Body” stars Amanda Seyfried as Needy, a plain Jane high schooler whose best friend Jennifer (Fox) has every boy in school dizzy with lust.
They make an odd duo. Needy has a steady beau and a basic sense of decency. Jennifer eats nerdy boys for lunch.
Not literally, at least not at first.
Everything changes when Jennifer hooks up with the lead singer of a visiting punk band. Suddenly, students start showing up missing vital organs and the girls’ school body is in perpetual mourning.
“Jennifer’s Body” may look like a horror film, but there isn’t a scare to be found between the pop culture references and slo-mo shots up and down Fox’s curves.
Cody’s script feels like an audition for the 2010 catch phrase contest. “Morsels” means “boys,” “Jello” means jealous and “Lesbi-gay” means … well, you can figure that out.
But the screenplay still delivers more than a few laughs.
“It’s true. It’s on wikipedia,” one student says. Later, indie rock bands and the school’s overwrought healing process come under heavy attack.
It’s Cody’s story that has no bite.
We can’t fathom why the various characters interact the way they do, save to set up a protracted lesbian kiss. Who didn’t see that coming?
The twist which explains away the supernatural goings on isn’t satisfying, and the story’s pacing slows to a crawl just when the body count starts ramping up.
“Jennifer’s Body” plays out like every other mediocre slasher flick, but Cody’s way with words gives this “Body” an edge.
(Photo: Megan Fox plays a gorgeous high school student with an unusual appetite in “Jennifer’s Body”/Fox Atomic)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
i kind of feel like i need to see this movie. i also kind of feel like i am crumbling under media pressure re: fox’s hotness. does that make me…”lesbi-gay”??
does anyone remember the Hole song, “jennifer’s body”?? good song!
all the cool kids are seeing it, Lunch at 11:30 … don’t be jello and miss it.
Megan Fox – A living, breathing defintion of the adage, “Beauty is only skin deep.” I wonder in her case if it even goes that far.
Megan Fox as a beautiful but soulless creature? Talk about typecasting…
I’m really getting tired of seeing the Hollywood version of a plain Jane: a beautiful girl wearing glasses.
Fox actually has fun playing the wicked beauty here, and I must confess her physical appearance is flat-out stunning.
Paula – I agree, although Seyfried is rather good in the role.
I agree with Paula.
I agree with toddes.
And yes, it is a fact that Fox is hot, hot, hot.
This movie looks so bad it actually gives me a slight headache every time I see the preview.
But Christian, I have a questio… did you like it? I’m not sure I can tell by your review.
Mixed feelings, Heidi. Smarter than your standard horror flick and a really good performance by Seyfried. But the story doesn’t hold together and there’s not a scare to be had.
Ambivalent reviews are the toughest to write – in my meager defense!