“There’s a plus—we’re all alive, but there’s a minus—we can all die.” John Hughes is an amazing filmmaker. As a screenwriter, producer and director, he presented films that became iconic for Americans and, at least, significant for viewers from other countries. Agree, “Home Alone”, “Ferris Bueller’s Weekend”, “Curly Sue”, “Sixteen Candles”, “Breakfast Club”, “Beethoven”, “Dennis the Tormentor”, “101 Dalmatians”, “Airplane, train, car”, as well as the adventures of the Griswold family are not an empty sound for many, and, if they are not among their favorites, they definitely cause laughter and cheer up. But here’s one of Hughes’ early creations, titled “Alumni Meeting,” may not be the worst film he had a hand in, but even before his best works were as far as the moon.
Former classmates gather 10 years later for a high school reunion. But under the mask of one of them hides a killer maniac who begins to kill graduates one by one.
I admit that 25-30 years ago this comedy would have seemed hilarious, but what used to seem ridiculous now looks absurd (some moments are just plain nonsense!). There is humor for centuries, as, for example, in the previously listed works of Hughes, and it happens that humor eventually loses relevance. This is exactly the case. Although, if you are absolutely not picky person, then there is a chance to enjoy his absurdity and sense of nostalgia. I am not so much drawn to laugh at this picture as to find fault with it.
First of all, although the actors were actually about 30 plus or minus a couple of years old, as they should be 10 years later, most of them would look like they were 40, and some of them would be more. Secondly, it always surprises me when, a few years after graduation, you don’t remember a person you’ve been in the same class with since elementary school. Of course, in this film it is an element of humor, but apparently in our time it does not seem funny. Third, a large proportion of comics is based on the fact that, in addition to the main villain, half of the actors are inadequate psychotics. In addition, although at the end of the day there will be friendship and forgiveness, which, of course, is good, but it completely ignores the fact that a few people are already dead. But that's how it works.
Against the background of this film, other comedies that are built precisely on absurd humor, such as “Loaded Weapons”, “Airplane”, “Naked Gun”, “Hot Heads”, look more thoughtful and sparkling. This picture is not without reason goes into oblivion.
4 out of 10