Y2K Review: ’90s Nostalgia Can’t Save Kyle Mooney’s Movie

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As a millennial who grew up during the Y2K scare and now finds myself stuck between the generations, I must admit that watching Kyle Mooney’s “Y2K” felt like stepping into a time machine with a broken clock. The nostalgia was palpable, from the dial-up sound to the AIM door sound effect – memories that were long buried in my brain’s dusty corners.

Ah, the Y2K bug! For many millennials, our introduction to widespread panic. Kyle Mooney, known for his unique and humorous filmmaking style (although it caters to a niche audience), delves into the dawn of the new millennium in the horror-comedy “Y2K.” The movie pours all its efforts into recreating the vibe of the late ’90s, which it largely achieves – unfortunately, at the cost of essentially everything else within the film. Although its ’90s references are spot-on, it seems that Mooney was so intent on capturing the spirit of Y2K that he overlooked the necessity of crafting a narrative that keeps viewers engaged. Regrettably, to all those involved, 91 minutes has never felt so endless.

As an ardent admirer, I can relate to Eli (Jaeden Martell), the shy and reserved dreamer, who harbors feelings for the enchanting Laura (Rachel Zegler). However, come New Year’s Eve 1999, he finds himself spending it alone or so he thinks, accompanied only by his boisterous best friend Danny (Julian Dennison). In a spontaneous move, they decide to attend Chris’ (The Kid Laroi) New Year’s party. They dared to hope that this would be the night that would transform everything, and it was — but not in the way they anticipated. As the clock struck twelve, chaos ensued as Chris’ house technology malfunctioned, even the innocent Tamagotchis participating in a gruesome rampage. With technology turning against humanity, it falls upon Eli and other survivors to save not just themselves, but all of mankind.

Who is Y2K for?

Aesthetically speaking, the ’90s atmosphere is impeccable, not just relying on the classic dial-up sound when someone logs onto the internet, but also incorporating details like the door sound effect as a user enters or leaves AIM. This sound might have been forgotten by many until now, but it seems to awaken a part of our brains that has been dormant for a while. For those who were teenagers or preteens in 1999, this could feel like watching a home movie of you and your friends hanging out at someone’s house. However, the question remains: Who is this movie intended for?

As a fellow gamer and millennial, I’ve got to say that this movie is all about the ’90s and early 2000s, but it seems to be missing its mark. Sure, the Y2K fashion trend is hot right now among Gen Z, but making a movie set during the Y2K panic feels like trying to cash in on that trend. The Fred Durst cameo, the entitled boy in a bucket hat, and even the parody of ’90s hacker movies are all nods that might be lost on the younger crowd this film is actually targeting.

We need someone to care about

If we’re being honest, “Y2K” might not cause much trouble due to its ’90s references alone. However, it lacks depth in various storytelling aspects. The dialogue is poorly written and overly reliant on ’90s jargon, which makes it even less appealing. To put it bluntly, the characters are underdeveloped and fail to captivate viewers’ emotions, making it hard for them to empathize with the story.

This movie attempts to emulate the charm of ’90s teen horror flicks such as “The Faculty,” but it falls short by neglecting the key aspect that made those films appealing despite their cheesiness – relatable and likable characters. The movie lacks any character you can genuinely care for; instead, they seem to be mere caricatures of ’90s teen stereotypes rather than real people. Unfortunately, the protagonist, Eli, fails to connect with the audience, despite Jaeden Martell’s valiant attempts. His character feels dull and unengaging.

The movie ‘Y2K’ has its strengths. Its soundtrack, reminiscent of a burned CD filled with the best songs from the decade, creates an enjoyable atmosphere like cruising with your closest friend. Additionally, the creative ways the computerized characters eliminate their human targets and the visual appeal of these characters are noteworthy. However, the script’s shortcomings make it challenging to overlook them, and it’s even harder to forgive the lack of depth in character development. Despite the apparent purpose, the end result falls short.

“Y2K” hits theaters on December 6.

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2024-12-06 19:29