Writer: Nur Safina Othman

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects: NA
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: "27 Dresses", “Mean Girls”

High school experiences are something that we will always remember, whether good or bad. And for those who are usually the "victims" in high school, it'll come as no surprise that they will bear a grudge, wanting to seek revenge someday, somehow.

"You Again" starts with the lead cast, Marni Olivia Olsen ("Forgetting Sarah Marshall"'s Kristen Bell) speaking into a camera and explaining how bad her life was through high school. Marni, a geek with spectacles, acne and braces gets bullied by a group of pretty cheerleaders led by Joanna (Odette Yustman). Few years after graduation, Marni's brother Will is going to marry her 'enemy' and Marni is determined to tell her brother about his fiancee's true colours, while trying to sabotage the wedding.

Written by first time writer Moe Jelline, the script is unfortunately dull and terribly cliche involving scenes such as food fights, karaoke time, and more. It is not too much to say that "You Again" lacks of originality, direction and charm.

With a simple yet predictable plot by "The Game Plan" director Andy Fickman, "You Again" also sees female power house cast by Bell, Yustman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Kristin Chenoweth and 88-year-old "The Golden Girls'" fame, Betty White! However, it is disappointing to see actor Victor Garber, James Wolk and Kyle Bornheimer as just background characters. Meanwhile, Billy Unger who plays Marni's younger brother Ben is delightfully comedic and audiences will definitely be entertained by his character. Viewers can also expect a cameo by Dwayne Johnson ("The Game Plan", "Tooth Fairy") as a cop who helps soothe Marni's anger upon knowing her future sister-in-law.

Despites the top-notch cast, "You Again" is a typical comedy that we are all too familiar with on the big screen. However, it delivers a valuable message about making mistakes and deserving a second chance.

Cinema Online, 19 October 2010