This year I signed up to see advanced screenings and was lucky enough to go to a showing of Searching back in June. I'm sure you all of seen the ads for it. It's one of those everyone has at least seen or heard something about, but very few remember what the movie is actually called. I've seen a lot of people get intrigued by the trailer that shows a movie that uses several media platforms that we use on a typical basis rather than traditional cinematography. (Lot of big words for that sentence, I know. I'm just one of those people who like to use big words to emphasize my photosynthesis.) (hopefully some of you will get that joke) ( a set of parentheses inside a set of parenthesis?? Is this some sort of obscure Deadpool reference??) .
Anywho...The story follows a man named David Kim, who takes it into his own hands to search for his missing daughter by following the clues she's left online.
The concept had me intrigued, but I'll admit, it wasn't likely that I was gonna see it in the theatres. To be honest, what really convinced me to was seeing that it had been awarded by Sundance. Yes, the concept had me intrigued, but it reminded me a little too much of the movie Unfriended from a few years back, which was also takes place on a computer screen. Unfortunately for Unfriended, it used the concept as a gimmick to get people in the seats rather than having a story to tell. I was afraid Searching was going to do the same. But it did look much more promising than Unfriended did at the get-go, and it was a free advanced screening, so I couldn't say no.
Another concern of mine was that he would be trying to be more of a hero than he had to, by going on this wild goose chase rather than call the police. I was also afraid of the idea of idea relying solely on using a teenage girl's computer. Now I'm technically a teenage girl myself, but I AM NOT A FAN OF MAINSTREAM REFERENCES. Unless they're in mockery of this generation. I'm just not a big fan of it. So I was afraid of an abundance of tweets and vine references.
If any of you had these concerns, fear not.
1. The use of media is actually very clever and does a great job of moving the story, rather than covering up a lack of story due to the premise being based solely on a gimmick.
2. He does, in fact, call the police, and is actually instructed by them to find whatever he can. Although, he does play more of a hero part than simply doing as he is told, and does take more into his own hands-but if you want more than that, you'll just have to see it.
3. I can only think of maybe 1 or 2 mainstream 'references', if they could even be considered as such, and I found both of them hysterical (which they were meant to be).
Pop it?: I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only did it not suck, it genuinely had me on the edge of my seat. It is thrilling in its own special way, while properly using a creative storytelling unique that is both innovative and alluring. Crime thrillers such as this can easily be predictable, and it is a challenge for storytellers and filmmakers alike to keep this from happening. And yes, this movie definitely pulls off the not predictable card. At times you are so sure you know, but it keeps changing the game on you, which should truly be applauded.
Toss it?: I will have you be warned, there is a little bit of...reading (GASP!). But frankly if you've made it this far in reading this post, you should be absoultely fine. There is not a TON...well, maybe there is. I dunno. More than the usual movie, but it is made to be a bit more engaging than your typical title card. I remember it mainly being headlines and stuff like that.
Also, tad bit of spoilers coming up, which I will put in red here, and will stop at the green,
SPOILERISH: It's pretty unrealistic. I can't say much as the movie isn't out yet, but the luck they have in this movie is sadly more than it is likely to be found in real life. However, things aren't so fluffy or whatever the whole time. So even though it's a little unrealistic, it's realistic enough to keep you watching. And it is a movie after all, we're not exactly looking for reality are we?
SPOILERS HAVE ENDED! I KNOW THIS MAY BE A BIT OF SCROLLING, BUT I TRIED TO HAVE THIS OUT OF SIGHT FROM THE 'SPOILER' SECTION. AND SINCE THIS IS OUT BEFORE THE MOVIE, THE SPOILERS ARE HARDLY SPOILERS. BUT STILL.
The Verdict: I'm sure it's no surprise that it's a pop it! This movie is definitely entertaining and worth a watch. If you had the same concerns as me, I promise you, you have nothing to worry about.
One last time for those of you who remember the premise and not the title, the movie is Searching, it is rated PG-13, and will be out (in the U.S at least) on August 31st.
Thank you for reading! You know you really didn't have to do that ;-)
