Reunion

This was a very straight-down-the-middle comedy mystery that you will likely completely forget about within days. At a 20 year high school reunion party, the person holding the event winds up murdered, and the killer is one of the guests who crashed overnight due to a snowstorm.

At first, I wasn't even sure I could finish the movie. The first 30 minutes are achingly unfunny. Once the murder happens, the film manages to kick into gear, delivering a couple of mild laughs. I actually thought the murder mystery plot was done well. Performances across the board are all great, with Jillian Bell (who usually annoys me), Jamie Chung, Nina Dobrev and Michael Hitchcock all being standouts.

I'm glad I managed to get a little bit of enjoyment out of it, so I don't feel like I wasted my time. But, with a copyright date of 2022, it's easy to see why this sat around unreleased for two years. Those first 30 minutes are an embarrassingly unfunny slog to get through, and although it improves from that point, it's hardly a laughfest.

Netflix's "Reunion" stands as a prime example of missed potential and lazy execution. What could have been an engaging and suspenseful whodunit instead devolves into a tedious and predictable film that fails to capture the viewer's interest. Directed by Chris Nelson, "Reunion" is marred by poor writing, unlikable characters, and an overly obvious plot that leaves little to the imagination.

The film's premise-a group of high school acquaintances reuniting at a rich classmate's house for their high school reunion only to confront a series of mysterious events-promises intrigue but delivers mediocrity. The writing is uninspired and formulaic, with dialogue that feels forced and unnatural. Characters spout lines that sound more like exposition dumps than genuine conversation, making it difficult to invest in their plights.

Perhaps the most glaring flaw of "Reunion" is its cast of unlikable characters. Each one is a walking cliché. These characters are so steeped in their stereotypes that they never transcend them, resulting in a group that is more annoying than endearing. Their interactions are devoid of depth, and their motivations are shallow, making it hard to care about their fates.

The film's plot is equally problematic. Any seasoned viewer will easily guess the identity of the culprit long before the big reveal, thanks to clumsy foreshadowing and an overreliance on red herrings that do little to mislead. The so-called twists are telegraphed well in advance, stripping away any potential for surprise or suspense. By the time the film reaches its climax, the audience is left feeling more vindicated than shocked, having figured out the ending far too early.

The pacing of "Reunion" is another major issue. The story drags in parts where it should be building tension and rushes through moments that could have provided crucial character development. This erratic pacing makes it hard to stay engaged, and many viewers will likely find their attention waning as the film progresses.

Even on a technical level, "Reunion" fails to impress. The cinematography is bland and uninspired, with generic shots that do little to enhance the mood or atmosphere. The score, meant to heighten the tension, often feels disconnected from the on-screen action, further diminishing any potential impact. But the worst part is the lack of anything funny in this "comedy".

In conclusion, "Reunion" is a disappointing and forgettable entry in the thriller/comedy genre. With lazy writing, unlikable characters, and a plot that is painfully easy to unravel, the film offers little to engage or entertain. For those seeking a gripping and well-crafted mystery, "Reunion" is one reunion better left unattended.

With its B-movie cast, director Chris Nelson's murder-mystery comedy "Reunion" should be B-movie standard, but despite not being lol funny its whodunnit plot (from debut writer Willie Block & second-time Jake Emanuel) keep it engaging enough. Small-town douche Chace Crawford is slain at a 'Class of 01' high-school reunion at his mansion, with suspicion falling on those trapped there overnight (and subsequent days) by a huge snow-storm: Lil Rel Howery; politician Nina Dobrev; cop Billy Magnussen (good); reporter Jamie Chung; oddball Jillian Bell (meh); & teacher Michael Hitchcock... but whodunnit? It won't sweep any awards, but it ain't too bad.

I think the score of 5 is pretty harsh, I actually thought this movie was really good.

True it could have been a bit polished in certain places and packed in even more jokes, but I enjoyed it.

I think Lil Rel Howery is brilliant in this, he almost reminds me of Kevin Hart, who might have been a better lead in this, just due to the fact he is such a great comedian and would have brought more laughs in.

The cast is good; they're all established actors, but I can't help but feel a different cast would have made a massive difference. I like Jamie Chung, I like Nina Dobrev, but not all actors suit comedy roles.

I did like the murder reveal at the end, guessed part of it, but the final reveal was a bit of a surprise.

All in all, had some really good laughs, could have been better but I enjoyed it.

A decent and enjoyable whodunit that has its attractive features (the cast, mostly), but it only works if you're not much demanding on the plot and some of its loose ends. I liked it, as there was a fair share of laughs and the mystery was quite involving, but it's one of those things I had to lower my expectations for a little while. If looking for a "Knives Out" kind of experience, better look elsewhere. "Reunion" is more about the awkward humor that comes in a high school friends reunion than it is actually about solving a murder case on an isolated mansion. But the detective story is there in between a series of confusions, attempts of rekindling with old crushes and letting past high school traumas come to surface.

It's hard to go wrong with those kind of films but when the intelligence is a little limited or the excess of cliches and characters stereotypes take over, it can be a problem. The moments at the party were a little annoying and most of the characters fun looked fake, abruptly cut here and there as if the director didn't know what he was trying to show. But when the crime happens and they all begin to investigate, it gets better and fun to watch.

"Reunion" hits a different and positive note as we don't have an outside detective looking for clues, but instead all the characters try to find who killed the host and the reasonings for it. Not exactly a jawdropping mystery but it's amusing anyway.

Its quality lies on the cast, all comfortable in their roles, specially the shy cop played by Billy Magnussen, and Jillian Bell as the least likely person to attend such party, as she was never part of the gang since she was a bully victim. Her creepy character is hilarious and steals the show. Didn't exactly like the loudmouth Ray (Lil Rel Howery), super annoying for the most part and only having his moments of triumph on the bathroom scene and at the end. He just tries too hard to be funny.

If the idea is to kill some time with some laughs and go for a detective mode while trying to solve the case before anybody, "Reunion" serves well exactly for such purposes and nothing more. 6/10.