Review of Good Boys (2019) by Markhreviews — 17 Sep 2019

The infinite monkey theorem postulates that, over an infinite period of time, a monkey randomly hitting keys on a typewriter will eventually replicate the complete works of Shakespeare. “Good Boys,” apparently, was written by a one-handed simian using a typewriter with several missing keys.

Invited to a kissing party that includes the cool kids from school, Max (actors’ names are withheld from this review, to protect the innocent) wants to learn how to pucker up. He decides to use his father’s drone to spy on some older girls in the neighborhood to gather the necessary information. When the drone goes missing, Max and his pals experience a frantic couple of days trying to replace the drone before Max’s dad finds out. In many ways, “Good Boys” is a youthful version of the film “Superbad,” with the handicap that it doesn’t have an older, more accomplished cast that can use its force of personality to make the holes in the script less obvious. As a result, “Good Boys” is itself superbad.

The script for this film just seems lazy. Basically, it’s a two-note tune – 12 year olds dropping f-bombs at every opportunity while demonstrating they are completely interested in but completely clueless about anything having to do with sex. Whenever the writers don’t know what to do, expect an explosion of profanity and/or the appearance of a sex toy. (Admittedly, the appearance of “Dad’s CPR doll” was funny, the first couple of times.).

Some critics have appreciated this film because of the juxtaposition of the crude humor with “sweet” moments when the three sixth graders briefly confront disappointment and the recognition that the texture of their lives is constantly changing. I disagree with this kind assessment, because none of the life lessons seem hard-earned. All the sweet moments rely on the protagonists reverting to child-like behavior, not any sense of forward movement, additional insight or personal growth.

Ultimately, “Good Boys” feels like a comedy sketch much too short to support the weight of a full-length movie.