“Blockers” doesn’t break new ground in the genre, but debut director Kay Cannon revels in the feminist ideals that are in Brian and Jim Kehoe’s screenplay. The three young ladies – Julie (Kathryn Newton), Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Sam (Gideon Adlon) – are more than capable, in their maturity, to make their own decisions. However, don’t tell that to the parents as played by Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz and a scene-stealing John Cena. It’s not like any of the three characters are victimized by their male partners. Julie’s boyfriend Austin (Graham Phillips) sincerely loves her, Kayla’s boyfriend, Connor, has a sincere mellowness that is self-explained with his man-bun and Sam’s nerdy date, Chad, (Jimmy Bellinger) is so inexperienced that he’s barely able to control himself in bed, that’s OK because Sam’s actually on the hunt for Angelica (Ramona Young), an openly gay classmate. A lot of plot? No kidding, but despite the film threatening to derail on many occasions, it does stay on course.Mann’s Lisa gives the talented comedic actress her best role since “Knocked Up,” and Barinholtz is the reject, a dad that’s barely there for his closeted daughter but tries to makes amends by renting her a limo on her special day. Cena’s Mitchell, despite the considerable muscular size, is the crybaby of the clan. His wife (Sarayu Blue) tries to tell him that the double standards he has towards male and female sexual freedom are hypocritical, he doesn’t want to her any of it. Cena, a WWE veteran, showed real promise as Amy Schumer’s braindead, but sincere love interest in “Trainwreck,” but his performance here will likely have him offered more comedic roles in the near future. You can’t un-see the scene in which, to save his daughter from the “horrors” of sex, Mitch has to chug a beer through his butt. To reveal more highlights would be unfair to the viewer who should go to the film not knowing too much, but just know this: “Blockers” is the John Cena show. The teens depicted hedre are a new breed, millennial teen angst in cinema is coming and this is just the beginning. More grown-up than their predecessing generation, they are more informed than the Molly Ringwalds of “Sixteen Candles” and the horny teenagers of “American Pie,” their deadpan outlook on life is dryly witty and always self-aware. That’s why, despite the flaws, “Blockers” feels so fresh, the kids are all right. [B-] Contribute Hire me
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