The whole Y2K phenomenon, and fears associated with it, kinda passed me by at the turn of the millennium – I was more concerned with what I was going to do post-high school.
But there’s no doubt the possibilities created by computers and technology going out of control are endless for a horror-comedy flick.
That’s why Y2K is such a frustrating disappointment – a film I found myself actively annoyed by rather than enjoying.
Debut director Kyle Mooney, who also co-penned the script, has an interesting set-up – a bunch of teens ripe for the picking off partying on New Year’s Eve 1999 before all hell breaks loose – but his movie never rises above mediocre.
Things aren’t helped by a largely unlikable, grating cast led by future Snow White Rachel Zegler ( Laura ), Deadpool 2’s Julian Dennison ( Danny ) and It’s Jaeden Martell ( Eli ).
Danny and Eli’s friendship is Superbad -lite, the latter mostly existing as a lovesick puppy, and Zegler is so humdrum you wonder if this was simply a small stop-gap before bigger things.
Eduardo Franco’s Farkas is a meaner take on Jay from the Kevin Smith flicks, Kyle Mooney’s stoner Garret is increasingly annoying and should have been kept to one scene, and, beyond the fact he was big at the time, it’s ludicrous to see Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, playing himself, in such a prominent role.
Only Lachlan Watson ( Ash ) supplies any depth or heart and it’s a neat touch seeing early-90s superstar Alicia Silverstone as Eli’s mum Robin .
Virtually all of the humour falls flat and too much of it is drug and sex-related.
The technological terrors in pursuit of the teens – and their over-arching aim – are shabbily rendered too; it starts well with killer blenders and CDs acting as weapons but veers off into silly hive mentality territory.
Huge thumbs-up to the soundtrack, however, although that might just be my teenage nostalgia talking.
Y2K is a missed opportunity that doesn’t offer super scares or hearty humour; just switch off to this one.
● What are your memories of the build-up to New Year 2000? Were you concerned about possible Y2K problems?
Pop me an email at [email protected] and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Y2K is showing in cinemas now.
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