Blockers (R) ★★★½

“Blockers” Universal Pictures

Hysterical “Blockers” Boasts Great Cast

The film Blockers main premise is most parents’ worst nightmare−the discovery your teen has made a haphazard life-altering decision. A parent’s glimmer of hope−they just may be able to “block” the dumb choice. Here, three teens decide to lose their virginity on prom night; with two of those teens’ solely in for the shared experience between friends. Do they quickly choose random classmates to fulfill their desire? Yes. Are we shocked? No, not really, most teens often time make snap decisions. More importantly, is Blockers funny? Happy to say yes!

Leslie Man, (How to be Single 2016) John Cera, (Trainwreck 2015) & Ike Barinholtz (Snatched 2017) are the parent blockers of three teen girls; Kayla, Julie, and Sam. In a comical scene after the prom pre-party Leslie Mann notices texts messages on her daughter’s computer, together the parents decipher the emoji’s that have sexual meaning such as the purple eggplant, amongst others. Upon the discovery, Mann and Cera kick into high gear, and hunter tries to stop them.

Chicago Second City alumue, screenwriter and producer Kay Cannon makes her directing debut. The rest of the movie has us following the duo in ‘progressive party’ mode from house to house, and finally house to hotel. Along the way, it’s apparent that both have their own reason for their group crazed intervention. Mitchell clearly has issues with any boy that Kayla shows any interest in, yes he’s in denial that his little girl is becoming a woman. Mann, a single mom, had hopes of Julie attending college near their home, she’s devastated at the thought of her going so far from home. Hunter’s motives are driven by guilt as he’s been an absent father during the family’s unfriendly separation. We do find that later in the film Hunter’s distance is somewhat warranted as untruths unfold and he and Sam reconnect. Dad also suspects that his daughter is gay, and her choice in the ‘prom sex pact’ will only end in regret.

The great news regarding Blockers is at its core; the smart script highlights the daughters’ upbringing and the choices they, in fact, make on their own. Trust, honesty, and openness are the hallmarks of giving them the tools they’ll need to−in fact make thoughtful decisions on their own.

As a comedy, the film is hysterical; all three leads performances are unmistakably funny. The seasoned Mann is spot-on in her overprotective mom role, and Cera has proven he’s the new comedic force to be reckoned with. Chicago native Barinholtz, who was a standout in Snatched, is also fantastic. The three have great comedic timing, which carries the film from start to finish.

Just know that the R rating in the film is for ‘raunchy’ language by both the parents and the teens. I identified with the mom, as I’ve raised three kids and two of the prom after parties were at my house—probably so I wouldn’t have to drive around snooping on them.

The Bottom line: This is a hysterical movie, I laughed out loud most of the 110 minutes.

Cast: Leslie Mann: Lisa; Ike Barinholtz: Hunter; John Cena: Mitchell; Kathryn Newton: Julie; Geraldine Indira Viswanathan: Kayla; Gideon Adlon: Sam; Graham Phillips: Austin; Miles Robbins: Connor; Ramona Young: Angelica; Sarayu Blue: Marcie; Colton Dunn.

Sarah Knight Adamson© April 27, 2018