REVIEW: Jennifer's Body (2009)

Jennifer's Body

Rated: PG-13

Runtime: 102 minutes

Starring: Megan Fox

My rating: 3 stars

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Diablo Cody's second dive into high school culture takes a decidedly different turn than it did in Juno.

Instead of giving us a sarcastically charming character like Juno, Cody delivers a vampire-like beast in Jennifer (Megan Fox). The dialog remains unique and fresh, but the feeling leaving the theater is drastically different. It's still not a bad a thing, just not as good as Juno.

Jennifer's Body is a horror film that doesn't take itself too seriously, and Cody doesn't lose her grasp of how teenagers think it's worse to lose $12 dollars on a corsage than getting killed by a boy-easting hottie.

The brief moments where, at the height of tension, a character says something like “my tit,” or “I care about you, not just because I made love to you for four minutes last night,” are wonderful.

But Jennifer's Body isn't for everyone. Other critics have written that this is “Twilight for boys” and Cody seems to be mocking herself with the script. I can see both of those things, and those critics probably weren't fans of Juno. I was, and think Cody created another successful film, but it doesn't have enough heart to be a lasting movie, and it's a bit silly at times.

Jennifer and Needy (Amanda Seyfried) go to see the band Low Shoulder at a local bar one night. The bar catches fire and in a dash to escape, Needy and Jennifer are cornered by the band's lead singer. He gives Jennifer something to drink and asks if she wants to hang out in his van. Jennifer goes along, leaves Needy behind, and the next time we see Jennifer she's covered in blood, growling and grinning evilly.

She seduces boys, brings them to the woods and kills them. Needy, through ESP I guess, can feel and see visions of what Jennifer is doing in the woods. Needy, of course, can't tell real from fantasy or visions.

The rest of the film is about Needy figuring it all out.

The movie's fine. It's nothing remarkable, and it certainly won't be remembered years from now. It's not going to be nominated for anything and it has no real message other than – I suppose – stay away from seductive women.

If you like horror movies and don't mind Cody's word choices then go see it. You won't be disappointed.

If you're a guy reading this wanting to know how hot Megan Fox is, read below:

She's super hot.

She's super sexy.

She does not get naked.

There is a kiss that rivals the one in Cruel Intentions. You know the one.

Three stars.

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Where it's playing:

Canton/PotsdamSHOWTIMES

Watertown SHOWTIMES