Official Synopsis:
Eddie “Gonzo” Gilman (Ezra Miller, ROYAL PAINS) is starting a revolution. When the wild-eyed rebel journalist is ousted from his prep school’s newspaper by its überpopular editor, Gavin Riley (Jesse McCartney, SUMMERLAND), Gonzo starts an underground paper, The Gonzo Files, to give a voice to all the misfits victimized by Gavin and his cronies. With help from the mysterious Evie (Zoë Kravitz, XMEN: FIRST CLASS), The Gonzo Files becomes a runaway hit and turns the school upside down, but Gonzo soon learns that the truth comes with consequences. The ensemble cast of this fresh teen angst comedy includes Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy), Campbell Scott (THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE) and Judah Friedlander (30 Rock).
Our Take:
Beware the Gonzo was pretty disappointing to me. I wanted to love it, but ended up barely liking it if I liked it at all. Maybe I have too many years past my teen angst years, but I didn’t see what separates this film from any other sub-par teen movie. To compare a newspaper writing about jocks and who is sleeping with who to anything Hunter S. Thompson (the original Gonzo) is ridiculous. The more I see of Kravitz, the more I like her though. She could become a pretty good actress if she sticks with it. When I saw the credits and saw Judah Friedlander’s name in it, I had to look him up to see who he played. Didn’t even recognize him as the cafeteria worker.
Special Features:
- An Interview with the Beware the Gonzo Team, presented by American Express
- Deleted Scenes
Conclusion:
Beware the Gonzo isn’t funny enough to be a comedy. It’s not dramatic enough to be a drama nor is it a good combination of both. Maybe if you’re of a certain age you might be able to relate, but I’ve seen way better high school flicks especially ones with similar storylines. Kids fighting back or doing something of their own has been done a thousand times. In Accepted they made their own college and that film is much funnier. The Girl Next Door is a better story of the non-popular taking over. Cruel Intentions is much more dramatic. Anything John Hughes did in the 80’s is much better. Go see a classic instead of this.
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Overall Picture:
Movie: C+
Extra Features: B
