If you plan on seeing Project Almanac, you will probably walk out of the theater wishing time-travel were real. Not because the movie inspires scientific greatness but simply because youll want your night back. Here are just a few reasons why the movie might not be the best choice at the box office.
The camera
Theres a reason Project Almanac is presented as found footage as it appears to have been filmed first-hand by the characters themselves. This approach lends itself to need for the movie to jump around and skip certain aspects, and the choice is directly related to the plot and thus, somewhat justified.
However, the reason found footage was used doesnt trump how awful the camera work really was. Its one thing to have a few shaky or chaotic shots, but when the camera appears to have been dropped for the 10th time, it just gets old and gives everyone a headache.
If you enjoyed movies like Cloverfield, Into the Storm or Chronicle then this might be your cup of tea. But, for the most part, found footage films have run their course.
The Michael Bay effect
Take some pretty girls and a cheap storyline, then throw in some special effects. This seems to be Michael Bays formula for moviemaking, and you cant blame him when hes one of the most successful producers in Hollywood. Project Almanac follows the equation perfectly, and yet it still just comes off as a knock-off of the many, many other time-travel movies.
The young actors do pretty well with the material they were given, but when the main characters biggest concern is losing his girlfriend, the whole movie becomes trite and, honestly, laughable. The entire movie lacks any sort of depth, even when the main character goes back in time to save his dads life.
Who might like it?
Its clear that Project Almanac is aimed toward a teen audience. Thats good, because they are the only ones who will be entertained. But even young teens are smart enough to see passed the flat characters and sub-par CGI. Young sci-fi lovers might be able to relate to the movie, only because teenage angst is so prevalent throughout. Parents of these teens should be aware that strong language also pervades the film, as well as some sexual content. The movie is rated PG-13.
The camera
Theres a reason Project Almanac is presented as found footage as it appears to have been filmed first-hand by the characters themselves. This approach lends itself to need for the movie to jump around and skip certain aspects, and the choice is directly related to the plot and thus, somewhat justified.
However, the reason found footage was used doesnt trump how awful the camera work really was. Its one thing to have a few shaky or chaotic shots, but when the camera appears to have been dropped for the 10th time, it just gets old and gives everyone a headache.
If you enjoyed movies like Cloverfield, Into the Storm or Chronicle then this might be your cup of tea. But, for the most part, found footage films have run their course.
The Michael Bay effect
Take some pretty girls and a cheap storyline, then throw in some special effects. This seems to be Michael Bays formula for moviemaking, and you cant blame him when hes one of the most successful producers in Hollywood. Project Almanac follows the equation perfectly, and yet it still just comes off as a knock-off of the many, many other time-travel movies.
The young actors do pretty well with the material they were given, but when the main characters biggest concern is losing his girlfriend, the whole movie becomes trite and, honestly, laughable. The entire movie lacks any sort of depth, even when the main character goes back in time to save his dads life.
Who might like it?
Its clear that Project Almanac is aimed toward a teen audience. Thats good, because they are the only ones who will be entertained. But even young teens are smart enough to see passed the flat characters and sub-par CGI. Young sci-fi lovers might be able to relate to the movie, only because teenage angst is so prevalent throughout. Parents of these teens should be aware that strong language also pervades the film, as well as some sexual content. The movie is rated PG-13.
