Director
Kay Cannon
Stars
Leslie Mann, John Cena and Ike Barinholtz
I had a bad feeling heading into Blockers that it was going to be one of those movies where all of the best bits were shown in the previews, thankfully and to my surprise, I was grossly mistaken. In her directorial debut, Kay Cannon (writer and producer of the Pitch Perfect films) delivers a fast paced comedy that will keep you laughing throughout.
The story revolves around three senior high school girls who make a pact to lose their virginity on Prom night, and their parents (Leslie Mann, John Cena and Ike Barinholtz) who are on a mission to stop them. If you’re thinking that this is just some misogynistic take on American Pie, you’d be wrong. Don’t worry the film definitely addresses the double standards surrounding the sexuality of young men and women, but there is more depth to the motivations of the parents than just these societal standards.
Leslie Mann (THE OTHER WOMAN, KNOCKED UP) plays Lisa, a single mother with an underlying fear of abandonment from her soon to be College age daughter, who is trying desperately to hold onto what little control she has left of her daughters life. John Cena as Mitchell is the hilariously oblivious father of Kayla, played by up and coming Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan, who would much rather be throwing a baseball with his daughter than entertain the thought of her dating, especially if the object of her affection is a smirking teen with a man bun. Lastly there is Hunter (Barinholtz) who plays an estranged father trying desperately to ensure that his daughter has a memorable prom night, even if that means that at times he has to thwart the preventative efforts of his fellow parents. After discovering and deciphering an emoji laden sex pact, the 3 parents set out on their mission, but what ensues is a calamitous night of misadventure.
Mann and Barinholtz have well established reputations for this type of film and Cena is fast becoming a bankable comedy star. Working perfectly together to create hilarity throughout the entire film, there is rarely a dull moment. Blockers may not be a ‘tasteful’ comedy, but it’s not light on laughs. In an age where it seems that everything has been done before, this movie finds new ways to humour the audience; whether it be through ‘beer butt chugging’ or a game of naked hide and seek, it won’t fail to surprise and delight. In contrast to the above, there are also moments of genuine warmth, a depth to the story-lines of the characters that make you empathise with their motivations.
Prior to its release, I had read a lot of negative commentary surrounding the premise of the film. What I would say to those people is give it a chance; go in with an open mind and just enjoy the experience.
4 stars
Viewer Discretion
MA15+ (Mature themes, sex scenes, drug use)
Trailer
BLOCKERS
Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.
Moviedoc 
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