Good Boys Review

So, I saw Good Boys over the weekend. Needless to say, it was terrible…terribly hilarious! As many have assumed, it is somewhat a preteen version of Superbad. However, the film does have its own identity apart from that film. Yes, spoilers ahead.

One thing you really have to appreciate the movie for is just how daring it is. Not just in its concept, but also in its execution. It is balls-out (no pun intended) funny. It’s just these very endearing scenes like when the boys discover pornography for the first time, when they first discover sex toys then proceed to use them as weapons against this questionable gentleman to barter for drug money or when they explore a frat house for the first time. In your mind, you may be thinking “Why in the hell are they doing this crazy shit? Where are their parents? They need their asses whooped!” And I am inclined to agree with you on all of those counts. But, just for a second, think back to when you were their age and you were getting into shit you knew you had no business doing. Come on, we have all been there. But behind all of the wacky and inappropriate hijinks, there is something deeper. The whole film is about the boys discovering their identities. Not sexual identities, because that’s just nasty. But in discovering who they are, both with and without each other. Each of the boys have their own arc going on. Max, the leader of the Beanbag Boys (awww), absolutely, honestly must make it to this cool kids’ party…so he can kiss his longtime crush. Lucas is dealing with his parents’ divorce. Thor wants to audition for the school play, but backs out at the last minute, much to his friends’ disappointment might I add, because he is insecure about his masculine identity.

You may find yourself very engrossed in each of the boys’ individual arcs because their stories are so, so relatable. I am positive 95% of the audience have dealt with at least one of the issues above. I know I have. These organic, quirky, down-to-earth, relatable preteen characters and the chemistry and bond they share with one another, is what really sells the film. And the child actors were so good in this. I am not going to single out any one particular actor, because 1) that is slightly unfair considering they are all children and 2) they were all excellent in their own right. There were many scenes involving just the three of them that made me and the audience highly uncomfortable yet they managed to sell those scenes and portray those them so realistically and heartwarmingly, even the squickier scenes. To be honest with you, this film is probably the closest we will ever get to a live-action Ed, Edd and Eddy film. I don’t know if any of you are familiar with this show, but that was a show about three knucklehead suburban preteens just getting into random, outlandish shit every day. Which is basically what this film is, just way, way more adult.

Now, I will not spoil the end of the film, but I will say it is quite bittersweet, which is surprising for a film like this. I will say this much: the boys do eventually go off and do their own thing, but they always find their way back to each other. ‘Cause they are the Beanbag Boys for life. Anyway, if you want to see a raunchy, weird comedy starring adorable preteens who are surprisingly relatable and organic characters with engaging character arcs and wonderful comedic and emotional chemistry, then buy a ticket. If that’s not your thing, then skip it.