SNATCHED Review

Movie Information

Release Date: May 12. 2017

Director: Jonathan Levine

Writer: Katie Dippold

Cast: Amy Schumer, Kim Caramele, Raven Goodwin, Katie Dippold, Randall Park, Goldie Hawn, Ike Barinholtz, Luis R. Espinoza, Luis F. Ramirez, Daniel Bess, Wanda Sykes, Joan Cusack, Moani Hara, Tom Bateman, Fidel Salcido, Carlos Diaz, Damion Scandrick, Andre Derizans, Nicholas J. Lockwood, Oscar Jaenada, Modesto Cordero, Bashir Salahuddin, Sergio Sanchez, Christopher Meloni, Jason Quinn, Arturo Castro, Pedro Haro, Linda Molina

MPAA Rating: R

Runtime: 91 minutes

Production Company: Chernin Entertainment, Feigco Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, 20^th Century Fox

Genre: Action, Comedy

Language: English

Country: USA

Budget: $42,000,000

I would catergorize this more as a comedy with flare than an action comedy, but either way you look at it there’s enough goods to soak in. Whether you’re a fan of the recently famous Amy Schumer or legend Goldie Hawn, they both hit the ground running in this mother and daughter duo adventure. Director Jonathan Levine (50/50, Warm Bodies) was able to pair up two stars and reign supreme for ninety-one minutes of pure fun regardless of your taste. With his filmography catering to more than one genre, he knows how to get you on board with characters you may not relate to initially, but shortly after will fall in love with. Snatched is a well-rounded film that serves all in the quest to find a great comedy. It’s self-aware and doesn’t care if it succeeds or fails, going for the gold in all of its grand ridiculousness.

Emily (Amy Schumer) is again living the single life, not knowing how her next meal will be prepared, and off to the rescue is her caring mother, Linda (Goldie Hawn). While it’s easy to care for Linda, with all of her motherly support, Emily is a whiny brat that doesn’t know the meaning of responsibility. Right here is where the tone shifted, with any expectations for their characters being thrown out of the window. Linda isn’t the annoying type trying to fit in to a lifestyle she’s once lived in the past. She’s wise, has learned from her mistakes, and tries to pass on this knowledge to her daughter. It’s a great notion to see, and it sets their personalities apart, as they embark on their quest for fun in South America.

They aren’t the only group of people you get to meet. All of the side characters have prominent roles that land at the right time with more than enough laughs for everyone. There is another pair of opposites with Ruth (Wanda Sykes) and Barb (Joan Cusack). This pair is a match made in heaven and is your emergency back up when needed. When watching these two on screen it is as if they are fulfilling a dream of acting a role they have never had before; and they were going all in, as if this was their last shot. While you can’t take the film too seriously, if I were in a jam I would want to call these two for their loyalty, experience, and good company. It gives new meaning to the lifestyle of never burning bridges, because you just never know when you may need to make the call to be rescued.

What’s surprising is the way the film progressed from scene to scene. While you’re laughing at every joke that’s delivered, out of nowhere the film turns into a full fledge adventure that’s quite exciting. It’s the journey these two are forced on that takes it to another level, and it still contains the comedy from before without missing a beat. It felt like they were actually in the jungle, even though the film was filmed in Hawaii. On the surface, it may not appear that these two fish out of water could hold their own away from home, but they handled themselves with courage and wouldn’t back down to any foe. Even the times where all hope seemed lost, their minds would quickly think of a plan of action, and they would fulfill it to the best of their abilities. And while on this quest they still learned a lot from each other and about themselves, making their bond even stronger. It is hard to predict how films like this will end. The side characters come through to save the day, making you laugh out loud in the process.

Going in not caring for this film too much is probably why I enjoyed it so much. That’s not to take away from the director’s talents, because his stamp of creativity is all over this picture. If you’re in a sour mood, this will lift your spirits. If you’re already on a high, prepare to soar even higher. If all the characters broke out of their roles, looked at the camera smiling, saying, “Watch what we’re about to do next,” it would have fit right in. Snatched is a movie for everyone, and you’ll want to tell all your friends about it. 

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