Before hormones hit, many kids have a fantasy of high school. Like in "Saved By the Bell" and "High School Musical," the jocks befriend the nerds without a second thought, no one is depressed or scared, and everything can be solved with a kiss that goes no further than liplock. Even the "bad" boys have just a hint of stubble and a single mom, and the worst thing anyone does is spy on a rival high school whose dance decorations just aren't as cool.
"Prom" is not a movie about real teens or for real teens. It's a dream, perpetuating the magical thinking of 12-year-olds for just a little while longer. And in this case, adults can stop rolling their eyes and just go with it for 90 minutes. Why not?
At "Prom's" cotton candy center is overachiever Nova (Aimee Teegarden, best known as Julie Taylor from TV's "Friday Night Lights"), who just wants a perfect swan song to senior year. But when decorations are destroyed, Nova is forced to collaborate with motorcycle-riding Jesse (Thomas McDonell, sporting flowing locks and flashing dreamy dark eyes), who sees no point in sweating in an over-decorated gym while wearing a monkey suit. Meanwhile, Nova's circle of friends face unraveling relationships, love triangles and the trials of getting a date as the life-changing evening draws nigh.
With its sweet dresses, poppy soundtrack and surmountable problems, "Prom" isn't trying to rock the world with a new take on adolescent pain. Yet its genuine goofiness is extremely endearing. The screenwriters, director and other adults behind "Prom" aren't recalling what it's like to be a teen. They're recalling the illusions. And there's something very real about that.
In their book "Writing Movies for Fun and Profit," Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (the scribes behind the "Night at the Museum" franchise) reveal the key to penning a successful children's movie: Never pander. Underneath its glittery exterior, "Prom" doesn't pander. The story foreshadows issues of infidelity and insecurity while treating its young characters with respect. And at the end of the day, sometimes you just want a guy who knows how to fix a celestial fountain.
Blu-ray extras include a featurette and seven music videos.
Film: 4 Yaps Extras: 3 Yaps