21 and Over a college-level comedy that exceeds expectations

(photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com)

by Jose Negron
staff writer

One thing we all look forward to in life is the night we turn 21. We all envision it as being the most epic night of our lives, and there are a number of films that help us envision that “perfect” night. When it comes to films, I’m someone who enjoys a good ‘ole gut buster. A film that will have the viewer laughing so incredibly hard that they might find themselves in searing pain. Let me be the first one to tell you that “21 and Over” did not disappoint. It indeed caused me to find myself in that searing undeniable pain.

21 and over, from the makers of the “Hangover” films, is about three high school friends who make it a must to go out and have an incredible night in celebration of their good friend Jeff Chang’s (Justin Chon) 21st birthday. While they’re partying, things start to get out of control and Jeff is left unconscious and intoxicated. His two friends Casey (Skylar Astin) and Miller (Miles Tellar) are left to do whatever they can to get Jeff safely home. The three friends run into many barriers and adventures along the way that provide viewers with a variety of emotions throughout the movie.

I was impressed with this film because it seems like it really went above and beyond expectations. There were many people who envisioned this film as another “Project X,” which is a comparison that I could not see while watching it. I very much compared it to “The Hangover,” simply because the films feature the same people in off-camera roles. It was a film that had major shock value and brought hilarious action along the way.

One thing I was not expecting from this movie was to feel a sense of sadness and lessons learned from guys who played in films such as “Twilight” and “Pitch Perfect” (although I hate to admit that I did actually watch “Pitch Perfect” and sort of, kind of, maybe liked it…a little). Above all the comedic humor that this movie provided me with, I also learned that things will always change as you grow up. It’s all a part of life. But one thing that should never change as you grow up and step foot into the real world is that you should always be there for your friends. No matter where you go in life, friends are always there for you through thick and thin.

This film taught me not only to be there for the people who mean the most to me, but also to eagerly anticipate the night were I could reenact the crazy antics performed in “21 and Over.” Well, maybe I won’t go THAT far.