Spring Breakers (2013)

2013 has seen the arrival of many interesting films already, but perhaps none quite as thrilling as Spring Breakers. Director Harmony Korine already has a reputation for strange films: Gummo and Kids are among them. Spring Breakers fits perfectly on his mantle, shining brighter than all the others combined.

What a unique and quality piece of film this is. Korine has managed to slam so much energy into every single shot whilst creating a mind-blowing satire. The very opening scene of this movie involves a montage of young people celebrating Spring Break. Men with beer bongs and scantily-clad women erupt on the scene, the colors so heavily saturated you're nearly blinded. You're also nearly deafened by the accompanying score composed by Skrillex and Cliff Martinez. Cliff Martinez producing some music for this film is not very surprising. He is known for his idiosyncratic scores for films such as Drive and Contagion. Skrillex seems odd at first. However, after the movie begins, it all makes sense. This movie runs on pure energy for the entire hour and a half. No other music would have matched the hyperactive story. For once, dubstep is not painful to listen to. It fits perfectly.

My favorite part of this film was the satire of it. Korine purposely casted a group of well-known young actresses. This brought an entire fanbase immediately to the box office. The film then slyly satirized that fanbase. This movie was catered to the youthful MTV generation, but at the same time, it was shading that generation. It exposed the true hedonistic and vain pursuits of the culture that celebrates Spring Break. Several critics and moviegoers have simply been blind to the satire and have taken this film entirely too seriously. With dialogue like “You're never gonna get this pussy” (said in a sing-song tone) and “Rise and shine, little bitch”, I struggle to understand how one could ever think this movie was anything other than pure satire.

The screenplay of this film is incredible. The dialogue is constantly at a high 10. Particular attention need be given to James Franco's character Alien. His rattling dialogue combined with Franco's perfect delivery makes for one of the greatest performances of 2013 already. (Yes, I went there.) After the Spring Break girls come to Alien's house, he shows them around whilst giving a brilliant monologue. (“This is the fuckin' American dream! This is my dream, y'all! Look at my shit!) This is an original screenplay from Korine himself and it is definitely memorable.

The best part of the movie is the Britney Spears montage. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. Imagine James Franco playing piano and crooning Spears's “Everytime.” Now imagine that playing over a series of scenes where three young women go on a robbing spree and do synchronized dancing with AK-47s.

I really cannot praise this movie enough. The dialogue, acting, and soundtrack is amazing. The underlying theme is also incredible. A movie most people thought would be a silly vacation flick is actually a satire that flipped an entire generation on its head. God bless you, Harmony Korine.