Spring Breakers

Spring Breakers is definitely a movie that has gained a lot of hype, largely because of its cast.  This definitely is not the type of movie you'd expect to see Vanessa Hudgens or Selena Gomez in, and it's certainly an attempt to break free of their Disney stereotypes.

Spring Breakers follows Hudgens, Gomez, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine on their spring break in sunny Florida.   In order to get there, the girls rob a local restaurant and the trip that follows is a bit more outrageous than the girls expect.  Yes, it contains your typical 'spring break' parties, but along with the drugs and alcohol, the girls find themselves in the company of a local arms dealer (James Franco).  The path that follows isn't what the girls had planned, and may be a little too much for some of them.

I went into this movie with high hopes.  Hudgens and Gomez fit into a very specific stereotype, and I was curious to see how and if they'd be able to break free from the Disney.  They definitely accomplished that, but I'm left thinking that I couldn't care any more or less if I ever saw this film again.

I will give the film credit in a lot of areas.  Personally, I found Director/Writer Harmony Korine unique and wonderful, however, I wasn't quite sold on the plot.  As the girl's 'adventure' with Franco continues, I lost interest.  It gets a bit ridiculous, but I will give him credit for straying a way from the typical 'film break' plot lines.  The performances in the film are pretty solid.  Franco is surprisingly convincing as gang leader/arms dealer and the girls definitely succeeded in stepping out their 'defined' roles in Hollywood.  There's a few moments worth some laughs, but I was left wondering whether this was intentional humor or just an awkward moment taken too far.  All and all, I'd say see it if you've got nothing better to do.  There's better out there.