Y2K (2024)

Plot Summary: Two high school juniors, Eli and Danny, crash a New Year's Eve party in 1999, only to find themselves fighting for survival when the Y2K bug causes electronics to turn homicidal.

Director: Kyle Mooney
Producers: Jonah Hill, Matt Dines, and more
Screenplay: Kyle Mooney, Evan Winter

Starring:
Jaeden Martell as Eli (Main character)
Julian Dennison as Danny (Chubby friend)
Rachel Zegler as Laura (Hacker Girl)
Eduardo Franco as Billy (Bully kid)
Kyle Mooney as Barry (Supporting character)
Fred Durst as Himself
Tim Heidecker as Eli's Father

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

Nostalgia Misfired: A Journey Back to 1999 Gone Wrong

I picked this randomly from this year's batch of movies because Y2K sounded like a good nostalgic escape. Who's the millennial who doesn't want to go back to the era of 56k modem dial-up internet and a world of mystery and slow information? A time when you had to get off your ass to find answers to your questions. Unfortunately, this movie didn’t deliver on the nostalgia it promised. Instead of immersing me in 1999, it thrust me into the grim reality of humanity’s potential extinction, thanks to the unchecked and greedy development of AI. The premise is baffling—the Y2K bug as an excuse for AGI to reach singularity and wipe out humans? Come on. Why not lean into a more grounded scenario where malfunctioning computers disrupt collective life-support systems? But no, the filmmakers went for giant robots (admittedly cool-looking ones) killing people.

A Comedy That Falls Flat

The movie’s problems extend far beyond its ill-conceived premise. Y2K struggles with an uncharismatic cast, poor pacing, weak character development, lackluster chemistry, and dreadful writing. Kyle Mooney, who both directs the film and stars as Barry, does manage a few funny moments, but even his performance can’t save this mess. The comedy feels forced and cringeworthy at times. For instance, one "best buddy" moment involves Eli (Jaeden Martell) and his chubby friend Danny (Julian Dennison) bragging at a party about how Danny once peed in Eli's soda. How could anyone in real life still be friends after someone doing that? I get that Mooney was probably aiming for total absurdity here, but it just didn’t land. Jaeden Martell, the main actor, delivers a flat and uninspired performance. I enjoyed Eduardo Franco's performance as the bully character, his death felt overly silly, and the film missed an opportunity to make better use of him. Meanwhile, Julian Dennison as the overweight comedic relief tries to channel Jonah Hill but falls short, even with Hill serving as a producer. To make matters worse, the repetitive use of music as a comedic device grows tiresome fast.

A Wasted Opportunity for Nostalgia and Talent

One of the most frustrating aspects of Y2K is how poorly it utilizes its Y2K aesthetics and era-defining music. This was a golden opportunity to lean into iconic tracks from the late '90s, yet the film opts for safer choices instead of bigger bangers. Even talented cast members like Tim Heidecker, one of my favorite comedians, are wasted in minor roles, with Heidecker reduced to a generic father character. A tired Fred Durst cameo doesn’t help matters, even though I’m a fan of Limp Bizkit and their angry music. Despite its many failings, the visual effects team deserves credit for the cool-looking robots and other VFX work, which at least provided some entertainment. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to salvage the film. As a millennial, I walked away from Y2K not with a sense of nostalgia but with a heavy dose of disappointment. The lesson? Skip this movie, especially if you're a millennial. All you’ll find here is wasted potential and frustration.

🎥 Cinematography (3/10):

It just doesn't feel Y2K.

📖 Story (1/10):

The premise of the Y2K bug causing AI singularity is absurd and not in a good way. Missed potential abounds, as the film ignores plausible Y2K scenarios for a ridiculous plot. The narrative fails to deliver humor or tension.

🎬 Direction (1/10):

Kyle Mooney, who also stars, struggles to bring cohesion to this chaotic mess. The absurd tone feels forced, and the pacing is uneven, leaving both comedic and dramatic beats underwhelming.

👥 Characters (2/10):

Jaeden Martell and Julian Dennison as the lead duo lack charisma and chemistry.

💥 Visual Effects (6/10):

Kudos for the robots and the CD stuck in the forehead XD.

🎭 Acting (3/10):

Kyle Mooney provides some laughs. Jaeden Martell and Julian fail to carry the film. Tim Heidecker is wasted in an underwritten father role.

💬 Dialogue (2/10):

Bad juvenile humor. They needed to crank up the absurdity level.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (2/10):

The film's late '90s nostalgia has potential but is poorly realized.

🎵 Music (4/10):

The soundtrack misses the mark, replacing potential era-defining hits with generic alternatives that fail to capture the essence of 1999. I was glad to hear Sugar Pimps though.

😄 Entertainment Value (1/10):

Despite cool robot designs and a few fleeting laughs, Y2K falls flat with its poor pacing, weak writing, and unlikable characters. A disappointing experience for millennial nostalgia seekers.

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