MovieChat Forums > Spring Breakers (2013) Discussion > one of the most if not the most misunder...

one of the most if not the most misunderstood film of the 2000's?

posted 10 years ago by chicotheman
34 replies | jump to latest

it isn't a 10/10 masterpiece, but i feel that the underlying message about this f*ed up 'spring break' 'MTV' fantasy centred society we live in today, well.. wasn't very underlying at all. i mean through the combination of the screenplay,shots and imagery i found it quite easy to decipher.

and before anyone jumps on me - yes i understand the appeal of a film is a COMPLETELY subjective thing, and this isn't exactly an easily accessible nolan-type vehicle (not to diss Nolan).I recognise that both my enjoyment and someone else's hate are both equally respectable. but those dismissing it as a 'brainless' and 'vulgar' film obviously missed the point COMPLETELY. THAT'S EXACTLY the type of culture it is MOCKING.

last i checked on here Transformers 2 has a higher score than this. i mean c'mon. even if you disliked SB you have to admit it was a exercise in art, although a possibly unsuccessful one in your eyes.on the other hand the transformers series comes off as an exercise in financial greed.

like what you like and dislike what you dislike - but at least try to understand the message of the movie before calling it garbage or brainless.

im out -

[–] jlao100 10 years ago

I agree with you 100 percent. Many people think of this as a cheesy party flick with tits every 10 seconds, but it was actually a very artsy well done film.

[–] shayneferry 10 years ago

I disagree, I think it tried to be a very artsy well done film and failed.

[–] imdave8 8 years ago

Agreed

"If you ride like lightning, you're gonna crash like thunder"

[–] zorakirby 10 years ago

Transformers 2 knows exactly what kind of movie it is and succeeds at being brainless popcorn fun.

Spring Breakers desperately tries to be something more than it is and falls completely flat on its face.

[–] FirstBlood1982 9 years ago

"Transformers 2 knows exactly what kind of movie it is and succeeds at being brainless popcorn fun."

Even viewed as that, it's still a clinic in terrible cinema.

Loaded with horrible, barely coherent action sequences, ridiculously bad "humor" throughout, unlikable characters...it's a terrible after school special with CGI incoherently vomited all over the screen.

+++by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5+++

[–] syafiqjabar 9 years ago

Actually I think Spring Breakers just tries to be a Harmony Korine movie and it succeeds at that. All the deeper meaning stuff just develops organically from that.

Of course, the observant and critical would probably notice that Transformers 2 was again a Communist vs Fascist parable. It even ends with the Perfect Communist monster (Decepticon civilian laborers merged to form a robot with both masculine testicles and feminine vagina dentata maw) being penetrated to death by weapon used by the America military who aligned themselves with the fascist Optimus Prime.

[–] mojorecords 8 years ago

Transformers 2 knows exactly what kind of movie it is and succeeds at being brainless popcorn fun.

I disagree, I think Transformers 2 completely fails at being any kind of fun. There's so much crap happening on screen that it's almost impossible to follow the action sequences. It fails on a lot of basic cinematic levels.

Either Michael Bay knows exactly what he's doing, and hates his audience, openly mocking them for eating up such garbage, or he's absolutely clueless and honestly thinks he's making good movies. I haven't been able to figure it out. 'Pain & Gain' is the best example of this that I've found, but even that movie is so stupid that it's hard to pinpoint which one it is.

[–] Movie_Buff_Brad 10 years ago

and this isn't exactly an easily accessible nolan-type vehicle

If only Christopher Nolan could discover the complexities of having Selena Gomez talk about having a good time...juxtaposed to scenes of her NOT having a good time! Unadulterated genius!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2BKWx_0qK0

[–] syafiqjabar 9 years ago

I mean, this movie does not have Nolan's trademark "character who explains things to the audience".

I love Live Narration Cop in the car chase part of The Dark Knight.

[–] lazarillo 10 years ago

Assuming this is "failed art", and I don't know that it entirely fails, that's STILL more interesting than pandering commercial bullsh!t like "Transformers 2".

Korrine takes a subject that IS very mundane, pathetic and trashy and transforms it into something different and unique through sheer artistic style, kind of like when Andy Warhol painted a Campbell Soup can. Maybe it isn't entirely successful, but is the problem with Hollywood movies REALLY that too many people try to do something startling original and fail or that too many try to cash-in on the same old predictable crap and succeed?

[–] cccertified 9 years ago

I think its just way over most peoples heads. I'm glad some people actually got it!

[–] freedogyeah 9 years ago

Definitely. Unbelievable that it has 5,3 now, such a shame.

The satire is completely lost on most of the viewers, who ironically, are the same demographic it is mocking, and who it was marketed towards.

Oh well

[–] armanmarok 9 years ago

[–] slidell333 9 years ago

I think you hit the bulls-eye, there. This is the kind of film that will be more appreciated by post-Facebook generation as a time capsule that truly captured the numbness of life during this specific era.

I like the OP's post and appreciate his honesty and understand what both of you are saying, a lot of people see "Spring Break" and Selena Gomez, etc... And think it's gonna be some Disney Rated PG-13 or R rated bubblegum piece ...but I'm curious as what is the "post-Facebook generation?" Not bashing, just asking. I mean my old but just hit 38 and I can still sorta see the numbness message. Kinda like Naural Born Killers was saying about society circa 1994 and the rise of all the TV nonsense that's just the norm now. Another film a lot of people totally missed the message. Cheers

[–] armanmarok 9 years ago

What I meant to say was for lots of American people of post 9/11 generation (which I refer to as the Facebook Generation), this movie hits too close to home, as if someone held up a mirror which holds the capability of showing everything that is wrong and misplaced about them, to the point that it actually hurts.

And since it "hurts", these people are unable to make a fair judgment about the actual quality of the film. Of course that does not mean the message of numbness can't be appreciated by an older generation, but I believe it hits the hardest for the Facebook generation (who, presumably, comprised the majority of internet users and, hence, imdb users), which explains the low rating of this movie & its mixed critical reaction.

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My Top 250 Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071561044/

[–] slidell333 9 years ago

Thank you for that response. I completely "get" what you mean. I'll second that, also.

P.S. I really miss pre-9/11 America.

[–] armanmarok 9 years ago

Sorry of the ultra late response.

But if only I had the chance to visit your country before those deplorable arabs made their permanent mark in New York. I regret to say a visit to the home of the brave now would compromise my safety. 😖

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My Top 250 Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071561044/

[–] DonDraperIsTheMan 9 years ago

You hit the nail on the head. Spring Breakers is master work. People that don't like it, either don't get it or don't want to get it.

www.themoviesleuth.com

[–] armanmarok 9 years ago

I tend to think what the movie is about is rather easy to get. It's the refusal to get it, as you said, which hinders the haters from truly accepting what the film is about.

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My Top 250 Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071561044/

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

I think there are always people who are "numb" in this way. One of the things I wondered when I watched: where do the more intellectual, artsy college kids go on spring break? I mean, I was one of those myself and I guess I always just went home for the week. But is that true for all of the more "alternative" kids? Someone should try to establish a hipster spring break destination for people who like to drink, drug, and socialize but not in that "Jersey Shore" mode.

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My top 250: http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=SlackerInc&perpage=250

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

Perfectly stated. I gave this a 7/10 but it's not comparable to other 7s that are pleasant, well-made, but ultimately forgettable. I doubt I'll be forgetting this film any time soon, and it is definitely a unique work of art even if a flawed one.

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My top 250: http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=SlackerInc&perpage=250

[–] Thisguy622 9 years ago

Summed up my thoughts perfectly, there was no real subtle nuances placed on the social commentary at all and it's sort of sad to think that people missed the message to such an extent. Like, I'd be calling Korrine out as too blatant and pandering to the masses but judging by the response from the majority, the viewers weren't pandered to enough. I also don't understand how people could hate this movie and consider it one of the worst of all time when it's got some of the most beautiful and pretty neon lights I've ever seen on film, plus the way music is integrated into character's perception and the unyielding visceral filmmaking. Whilst I don't think it's a classic (7/10 for me) I do think it has cult potential because it's style and subject is so identifiable, I've already seen it parodied in 'Bojack Horseman' and can imagine Spring Breakers being the future example pointed to when youth culture in capitalist society is referenced.

I do not like the cone of shame-Dug