Review of Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) by Thomas D — 10 Aug 2016

One can make the argument that Richard Linklater continues to punch about films that lack an intricate plot or an overarching story, but he never fails at creating likable characters and finding the right actors with lively chemistry on screen.

After wrapping up The Before Trilogy in 2013, and the experimental film Boyhood a few years ago, Linklater went back to his roots and decided to make a spiritual sequel to his cult hit, Dazed and Confused. While I'm not sure Everybody Wants Some(!!) will have the likability or longevity that Dazed has, it sure is a memorable watch.

Much like Dazed, this film has a relatively unknown cast. Sure you have Supergirl's husband, a TV Superman, Kurt Russell's son, and that one guy from The Walking Dead, but none of them have really proved themselves to be known talents yet. With that said, I dug each and every one of their performances. Sure, Blake Jenner is the main character by screen time, but I felt Linklater did a great job at balancing the funny lines between the cast.

It's also worth noting that although the film is about at a baseball team, it's not a baseball movie. This a college film through and through. Yes, Linklater seems to go through the motions of a prototypical college film arc, he floods the bland backdrop with memorable characters and performances. Party scenes are followed by random comedic bits that meanders the plot into a dangerous territory where you could lose interest, but then you remember meandering films is what Linklater does best.

I think perhaps Everybody Wants Some plays better as a tribute to Dazed, but that's not to say it's not as endlessly re-watchable. It's full of characters that you will want to hang out with after watching the film. Characters come and go, the plot meanders, but you still have one fun film.

+Great characters, great performances.

+Linklater soundtrack.

+Re-watchable.

-Sometimes the plot does meander.

8.8/10.