My thoughts and how I interpret the film

When I first watched this film, I really didn't like it. I thought it was so pointless. But over the past year, I've come to see and understand the genius within this film, and the message it's trying to send. But still, I'm not saying the film isn't flawed. The main thing I dislike about the film, is the repetitiveness of it. There are many scenes that go back and forth in a cycle of repetition. It's weird to explain, but I'm pretty sure any viewer will quickly notice it. So that's the main downfall of this film, in my opinion. The repetition. And also the ending was left a bit out in the open and unanswered. With a better ending, less repetition, and extra added aspects and plot continuations within the story-line, I think it would've been an improvement. But with all of that said, in a strange way, I still consider this film a classic. In many ways it is a masterpiece. But I guess that all depends on how the viewer perceives it. Results may vary.

How I interpret the film is: #1, it's a satire-piece focusing on today's youth culture. I think this was the first film to accurately capture the insanity within the dubstep/EDM/party-goer/spring break mindset. #2, the film represents a 'loss of innocence'. For example; Selena Gomez's character is initially part of a church group at the beginning, and when she goes on spring break, and especially when meeting up with Alien, her sense of innocence becomes corrupted, and she finds herself in a sketchy, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable situation. But she ends up leaving and escaping the chaos within the party scene, holding onto any innocence and purity she has left. And then another example, would be the particular cast of Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez, two former Disney stars, who are taking part in a film that is 100% outside of their preconceived and familiar image as actresses. Yet again, going back to what I was saying about a loss of innocence. Just using those two actresses in a film like this is what made the story-line so bizarre and unique. I hope I'm making sense.

Another analysis would be to look at the film more as a video game, a music video, or a dream. The entire film feels like it's in a world of it's own. Everything feels raw, gritty, and real, and yet so disconnected. Which in many ways represents the party scene and the satire within the film.

I thought the soundtrack / score for this was great. James Franco was easily the best part of the film. His character was epic. The cast was so unusual, and yet so fitting. And I would even go so far to say that this is probably Harmony Korine's best film. Though, I did also enjoy Gummo.