DVD REVIEW: EXTREME DATING

The Pitch

It’s Cronenberg’s Crash…for teeny-boppers!

The Humans

Devon Sawa, Andrew Keegan, Amanda Detmer, Meatloaf and Jamie Lynn DiScala

Poor Meadow, anytime a dude figured out who she was he ran like hell. But I wouldn’t, no ma’am, you’re so fine…ahem…umm…yeah…sorry.

The Nutshell

When a close friend sparks a relationship in the middle of a dangerous situation, three friends decide that extreme dating is the new way to meet people and set themselves up in dangerous and/or scary situations hoping the sparks fly. Obviously, one of the plans goes hilariously wrong. Hilariously…predictably…semantics.

The Package

So, if you have no inspiration and not a lot of skill with the Photoshop, it’s good that you’re able to recognize that. Such is the case with the "artist" here. Too many times you’ll find someone in this situation try to ignore the fact that they have no talent and we wind up reviewing some ridiculously bad, albeit ambitious, cover. Not the case here. Our artist decided to revel in his or her mediocrity and I think the artwork is better for it. In this case we have a simple photo montage built around a simple logo. Actually it is a nice choice of snaps from the film. You get a fairly good idea of what you’re about to watch, which is the point anyway. So thumbs-up to you, layout guy.

Looks like someone didn’t appreciate his chocolate-covered popcorn.

As a matter of fact, this entire DVD is an experiment in mediocrity. The transfer is clean but nothing spectacular, and the sound design is passable (and even has a few special effects in the surround track) but ultimately forgettable.

The same thing could be said for the features, as it’s obvious they decided to go for quantity over quality. There’s a mildly amusing commentary with director Lorena David, producer Mark Roberts and actress Amanda Detmer, there’s a gaggle of featurettes that cover a range from casting to stunts and everything in between, a blooper reel (and yes – I’m a sucker for blooper reels) and the theatrical trailer. The trailer, by the way, should not be watched before you view the film, as it the trailer sells the movie way short.

The Lowdown

Oh that whole "extreme" fad. It’s invaded sports, elimination challenges, potato chips and now – dating. What is extreme dating? Well, it’s not taking your lover on a skydiving outing. It’s tricking your love interest into a situation in which they are supposed to fear for their lives, in the hopes that the panic and desperation of the situation causes fireworks to shoot off, winning you a partner for life.

Ummm…yeah. And apparently this is easier than asking someone out.

Wow. Apparently Meatloaf would do anything for love. Nice boxers, Loaf!

Anyway, this little story trudges along through one extreme date that goes horribly wrong. See, Troy (Keegan) is sick of women just sleeping with him and running off the next morning (wha?) and he’s looking for a long-term relationship. Enter Amy (DiScala), a sweet innocent girl next door who has caught the eye of our young stud. With some gentle prodding by his buddies Daniel (Sawa) and Lyndsay (Detmer) he decides to…get this…stage a fake kidnapping in which some hired goons abduct him and Amy. His brilliant plan? Use the time being held captive to hit on his lovely co-detainee. But it gets better! Our two goons decide "What the hell! Let’s really kidnap ‘em" and things spiral out of control from there.

I’ll admit that I got some enjoyment out of this little movie. Obviously I had to turn my brain off going in and suspend a little disbelief, but it was worth it for 90 minutes of amusement. Relative-newcomer director David does a decent job of keeping this adventure reigned in, especially when a little unexpected twist could have seriously convoluted the entire thing. The script didn’t really require much of our actors and while the only emotion DiScala seemed capable of expressing was relative annoyance, Detmer was really able to shine in her role with great timing and a wonderful physical presence. Our male leads? Again, while Sawa really gives a blank performance, Keegan does a decent job, especially in his interaction with the kidnappers.

Stupid extras. Always hammin’ it up for the camera.

When it’s all said and done, this is a decent little rental if your lady wants to watch a date movie, but that’s probably the extent of it.

5.0 out of 10