A One Mann’s Movies review of “Spirited” (2022).
For a few month’s now, I’ve been chuckling at the preview Tiktok videos for the festive musical “Spirited”, featuring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. (Examples are here, here and here), The movie was out briefly in cinemas (for the inevitable Oscar song attempt) but is also now available on Apple TV+. Was it any good?
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
The Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) has the job of haunting people to lead a better life. He’s been doing it for a long, long time and is nearing his retirement. But then he has a chance meeting with Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), a manipulative media consultant. This convinces him to try for one last mission. Is Clint really, as his file indicates “Irredeemable”?
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “Implied strong language, moderate sex & drug references, suicide references”. This headline doesn’t reference some scenes of lite-horror which might scare younger children. Notably, in the first minute, a woman (Rose Byrne), at the command of a comedic Grim Reaper, is dragged down into a grave).
Talent:
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page, Sunita Mani.
Directed by: Sean Anders.
Written by: Sean Anders & John Morris.
Twitter Handle: #Spirited.
“Spirited” Review:
Positives:
- Although it has its ups and downs, there’s a likeability to the knockabout humour between Ferrell and Reynolds that grows on you as the movie goes on. And, while they are unarguably not the best singers or the best dancers in the world, you have to admire the way in which they give it their very best shots.
- Sunita Mani also adds comic value as the attractive Ghost of Christmas Past, who gets a little too “in” to her haunting role!
- Sean Anders knows how to write and direct a good comedy (he did the excellent “Instant Family” with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, who makes a cameo appearance here). There are some pretty funny gags in this film, and it well surpassed the 6-laugh test for me. Some of these are self-deprecating (Will Ferrell accuses a fancy-dress party guest dressed as an elf of looking stupid, LoL!), some break the 4th wall (with comments, for example, about the forcing of songs into the action), some are delivered through clever song lyrics and there are a few nice cameos, notably a wonderful ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ one during a Victorian song and dance number that was hilarious.
- The songs are by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind the mega-hit “The Greatest Showman“. And while there are a few rather grating duds, many of the songs zip along nicely. “Bringin’ Back Christmas”, “That Christmas Morning Feeling” and “Do a Little Good” are some of the best (imho). I also liked Octavia Spencer (who knew she could sing??) punching out “The View From Here”, although it struck me as pretty much a re-tread of “Tightrope” from Showman.
Negatives
- The first half of the film had a tendency to drag and there was a “shall we continue to bother with this” discussion between myself and the Illustrious Mrs Movie Man. Some of the drearier ‘filler’ dialogue-based songs were prefaced by Jacob (Patrick Page) hamming it up with an “oh no, not again”. But sometimes I was thinking the same thing!
- My view was that at 127 minutes, the film overstayed its welcome by about 15 minutes. A tighter edit and a reduction in the number of songs would have been my choice.
- It’s billed as a “family musical” and, in the main, it is (the drug and sex references will go over most kids heads). But I think some of the scenes may be a little too scary for younger kids, and a tamer version (to get a PG) would have had a broader appeal.
Triggers
This is a pretty light and upbeat movie in general. However, there is a cancer theme within it and also a teenage suicide element. These might be triggering for some viewers.
Summary Thoughts on “Spirited”
It did have its bumpy moments. But “Spirited” had a much improved second half. It grew on me, increasing from a 3* to a 3.5* by its uplifting end.
Trailer for “Spirited”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZg3liRq57c .
