EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES – A Review by Cynthia Flores
I’m surprised this new film Extracurricular Activities didn’t get a theatrical run because there are a lot of teen films out there that don’t deserve it and this one does. But luckily you get to see it on your choice of whatever video on demand service you use at home. Extracurricular Activities reminded me a little bit of the 1988 hit cult classic Heathers. That too was a dark comedy about murder amongst teenagers. I think this new film is funnier and more on the thriller side of the fence.
Extracurricular Activities tells us the story of Reagan Collins (Colin Ford) a serious, good-looking high school student with a killer after-school job. You see, he arranges accidents for parents that don’t deserve to go on living. The first set of parents we see being taken care of are just awful self-absorbed beasties that you take an instant dislike to before the “accident” occurs. Reagan looks at his talent for murder as a service towards making the world a better place. Think of the reasoning along the lines of the lead in Dexter the cult Showtime series about a serial killer we all learned to love. Also, Reagan really doesn’t want to work at a frozen yogurt shop after school or during the summer to make money for college. He’s very picky about how he chooses his clients. The kids have to convince him that they would be better off as orphans. His price is high, and once he accepts a job, he will give the client an envelope that they can’t open until the hit is done. In it is a description of how it will happen but not when. It’s like a secret magic trick between friends.
When his classmates’ parents start dying off at an unlucky rate, it catches the attention of seasoned police detective Cliff Dawkins (Timothy Simons) who starts putting the pieces together. Unfortunately for him, Reagan is a family friend of the Chief of Police and his sterling reputation for being a straight arrow and do-gooder makes it almost impossible for Cliff to get the support he needs to investigate Reagan and bring him to justice. It becomes a battle of wits to see if Reagan can keep business booming while the rising body count brings detective Dawkins ever-closer to the truth.
Extracurricular Activities is dark, witty, at times thrilling and just laugh out loud funny. I love the way they avoided just showing a bloodbath of murders. Instead, the director leaves it to our imaginations when it comes to the fitting demise of the offending parental units. So, relax, because it isn’t a serious take on murdering your parents. But it is seriously funny. I suggest you seek this film out to enjoy a little murder with a bowl of homemade popcorn. I give this film a solid A rating.
Directed by Jay Lowi
Written By Bob Saenz
Rated NR
Selig Rating A
Running Time 1hr 26min
Dark Comedy/ Thriller
Release VOD June 4th
Starring: Colin Ford, Timothy Simons, Ellie Bamber
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
