Reunion

This was a very straight-down-the-middle comedy mystery that you will likely completely forget about within days. At a 20 year high school reunion party, the person holding the event winds up murdered, and the killer is one of the guests who crashed overnight due to a snowstorm.

At first, I wasn't even sure I could finish the movie. The first 30 minutes are achingly unfunny. Once the murder happens, the film manages to kick into gear, delivering a couple of mild laughs. I actually thought the murder mystery plot was done well. Performances across the board are all great, with Jillian Bell (who usually annoys me), Jamie Chung, Nina Dobrev and Michael Hitchcock all being standouts.

I'm glad I managed to get a little bit of enjoyment out of it, so I don't feel like I wasted my time. But, with a copyright date of 2022, it's easy to see why this sat around unreleased for two years. Those first 30 minutes are an embarrassingly unfunny slog to get through, and although it improves from that point, it's hardly a laughfest.

What in God's name was this!

Half a movie looking like a bad teenage movie with bad acting and childish humour. Jokes and gags about sex, drinking and more sex are about 20 years old. Arrogant characters putting down weak-willing ones with the odd crazed one making stupid comments is also 20 years old.

Then out of nowhere come the finale and the whole plot of the movie comes out. A crime solved with the motive and murderers blurted out l, with details only the writers knew about. Totally ridiculous and pointless ending. And no reason to care about any of the characters either.

Oh, and there's another black character who just rambles constantly and is incessantly annoying, while throwing in the odd curse like a "tru-bro" does. How unoriginal.

Basically a load of utter rubbish!

'Reunion' came out of absolutely nowhere. 24 hours ago I hadn't even heard of it. Tonight I found myself really enjoying it. It was exactly my kind of movie. An isolated mystery/whodunit with a pretty decent cast. Sign me up immediately. And even though it was a little formulaic, it ticked all the boxes that needed to be ticked.

The film leans a lot more towards the comedy side of things than taking itself too seriously. That said, I thought it found a pretty good balance. There was one character played by Jillian Bell who was perhaps a little overly comedic for the overall tone of the film - but she was so funny and got so many laughs out of me that I didn't even mind.

The key thing for a film like this to stick the landing. It needs a good wrap up that makes you think back on everything you've seen and see it in a different light. This film had that. It was a well done ending. 'Reunion' is a really good time and a film I would happily recommend. 7.5/10.

Netflix's "Reunion" stands as a prime example of missed potential and lazy execution. What could have been an engaging and suspenseful whodunit instead devolves into a tedious and predictable film that fails to capture the viewer's interest. Directed by Chris Nelson, "Reunion" is marred by poor writing, unlikable characters, and an overly obvious plot that leaves little to the imagination.

The film's premise-a group of high school acquaintances reuniting at a rich classmate's house for their high school reunion only to confront a series of mysterious events-promises intrigue but delivers mediocrity. The writing is uninspired and formulaic, with dialogue that feels forced and unnatural. Characters spout lines that sound more like exposition dumps than genuine conversation, making it difficult to invest in their plights.

Perhaps the most glaring flaw of "Reunion" is its cast of unlikable characters. Each one is a walking cliché. These characters are so steeped in their stereotypes that they never transcend them, resulting in a group that is more annoying than endearing. Their interactions are devoid of depth, and their motivations are shallow, making it hard to care about their fates.

The film's plot is equally problematic. Any seasoned viewer will easily guess the identity of the culprit long before the big reveal, thanks to clumsy foreshadowing and an overreliance on red herrings that do little to mislead. The so-called twists are telegraphed well in advance, stripping away any potential for surprise or suspense. By the time the film reaches its climax, the audience is left feeling more vindicated than shocked, having figured out the ending far too early.

The pacing of "Reunion" is another major issue. The story drags in parts where it should be building tension and rushes through moments that could have provided crucial character development. This erratic pacing makes it hard to stay engaged, and many viewers will likely find their attention waning as the film progresses.

Even on a technical level, "Reunion" fails to impress. The cinematography is bland and uninspired, with generic shots that do little to enhance the mood or atmosphere. The score, meant to heighten the tension, often feels disconnected from the on-screen action, further diminishing any potential impact. But the worst part is the lack of anything funny in this "comedy".

In conclusion, "Reunion" is a disappointing and forgettable entry in the thriller/comedy genre. With lazy writing, unlikable characters, and a plot that is painfully easy to unravel, the film offers little to engage or entertain. For those seeking a gripping and well-crafted mystery, "Reunion" is one reunion better left unattended.

I think the score of 5 is pretty harsh, I actually thought this movie was really good.

True it could have been a bit polished in certain places and packed in even more jokes, but I enjoyed it.

I think Lil Rel Howery is brilliant in this, he almost reminds me of Kevin Hart, who might have been a better lead in this, just due to the fact he is such a great comedian and would have brought more laughs in.

The cast is good; they're all established actors, but I can't help but feel a different cast would have made a massive difference. I like Jamie Chung, I like Nina Dobrev, but not all actors suit comedy roles.

I did like the murder reveal at the end, guessed part of it, but the final reveal was a bit of a surprise.

All in all, had some really good laughs, could have been better but I enjoyed it.