Some movies get horrendous reviews when they come out. Reviews that describe the movie as so universally bad, that most people won’t give the movie a try, much less another look.
“Josie and the Pussycats” from 2001 was one of those movies.
Here’s how one site summed up the response to “Josie”:
On this Wednesday of Spring Break (Easter and Passover Week) in most of the country, studios are releasing a couple of teen-oriented product that go together with critics the way matzohs do with baked ham. The AP’s David Germain begins his review of Josie and the Pussycats by remarking, “Here’s a bad sign for a movie: a reviewer gets in to see it for free and still wants his money back.” Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun Times calls it a “would-be comedy.” And Elvis Mitchell in the New York Times says that watching it is a “misery.” Not all of the reviews are that unfriendly. Kenneth Turan in the Los Angeles Times writes, “It’s clearly aimed at a Clearasil audience, but if anyone older happens to wander in, they won’t be significantly worse for the experience.” And some reviewers (mostly in smaller markets) are giving it a thumbs-up. Bill Dupre in the Raleigh News and Observer writes: “Here’s the best news of the young spring/summer movie season: Josie and the Pussycats is funny, sharp, savvy and endearing — a rollicking sendup.”
All in all, it’s not a pretty picture for the girls from Riverdale.
But those critics came in expecting one thing — a standard teen flick — and got something completely different.
It turns out that “Josie” is a darn good film. It’s got a hidden humor that takes multiple viewings to really uncover.
Sure, the plot seems is terribly contrived: Josie and the Pussycats, a struggling band, are swept up by a huge record company who adds subliminal messages into their CDs. The girls find out and take down the corporation.
Yeah, it really is terrible, but once you take a quick run through of the movie, go back and watch it again — because it’s damn funny.
From scads of one-liners to a wonderfully fleshed out supporting cast to an amazingly poppy pop music soundtrack, it’s a boatload of satircal fun.
The wife, daughter and I watched it last night, and we all enjoyed it — for something the fifteenth time. Yep, it’s good enough that I put it in my Top 10 favorite comic-book films.
If you don’t believe me, see what the folks at the Internet Movie Database have been saying about it by going here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0236348/usercomments
So go on, check out (or check it out again) “Josie and the Pussycats” and remember that “blue is the new orange.”
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