Judd: With this being mid-October we’re getting our dose of scary and Halloween-themed movies. This year we get Fun Size, a movie about a girl who loses her brother during a night of trick or treating and the adventures each has trying to find the other. The movie stars Nickelodeon headliner Victoria Justice and is directed by Josh Schwartz, known for Gossip Girl and Chuck.
Swanner: The film really has a Superbad feel in a PG-13 form. In this case they aren’t looking for booze but an irritating little brother. The film also features Johnny Knoxville and Chelsea Handler in the adult rolls. The film could have easily had been made for one of the teen networks as it really plays well to them. Older folks are probably going to find this too light of fare and choose something with more of a bite.
Judd: I thought the movie felt more like Goonies than Superbad, and as far as playing well to the teen crowd … I’m not so sure about that. I thought the overall humor was broad and childish, like it was aimed at the 8 to 12 audience. The weird thing were the sex jokes that were peppered throughout that seemed really out of place and borderline inappropriate given the context of the rest of the movie.
Swanner: The whole mother-with-the-younger-boyfriend seemed awkward in the kitchen, and actually that whole storyline could have been cut, but I guess Wren (Justice) needed a reason to be stuck with her little brother for the evening. I think the movie will appeal to teenagers the way idiot adults are attracted to Adam Sandler movies. There is enough dumb to make this work for a 20 and under crowd. Their just looking for a movie they can relate to that’s funny. This one should do the job for a weekend. The biggest mistake is bringing out a Trick ‘r Treat movie on the last weekend of October. This thing won’t play in November
Judd: You may be right, but I don’t know if teens are going to enjoy their sex humor mixed in with Disney style comedy. As I mentioned, Fun Size reminded me of Goonies because the characters are supposed to be nerds who rely on each other to find the missing brother and find love on the way. I just want to say that Victoria Justice is much too pretty to be a nerd. They could have at least given her glasses or frumped her up a bit for a big reveal at the end.
Swanner: She is too pretty to be a nerd but then the dreamy guy did like her so it’s more of a self-imposed nerdom. The acting is all fairly good but I must admit I thought it was around two hours but the running time was closer to 90 minutes. It did feel longer. Maybe we’re just old fuddy duddies and the sex stuff means nothing to the kids. Shows on ABC Family are sometimes a lot more sexual then this. I don’t know if this will become a Halloween classic but it is nice having a Halloween movie where all the kids are still alive at the end.
Judd: I had no idea that ABC Family had “After Dark” programming. Racy! Fun Size feels like it ought to have targeted the Wimpy Kid fans, but added the sex to tempt their older siblings. It’s OK to desexualize an R rated movie to appeal to a broader audience. The affect is a bit disturbing when adding sex to a PG movie to bring it up to the PG-13 that studios seem think is the sweet spot rating. Fun Size is just as awkward as a prepubescent boy trying to get his first taste of over-the-sweater action. It’s weird, it’s uncomfortable, and no one wants to see it.
Swanner: 
Judd: ½
Swanner & Judd Film Reviews 