FanUnity B(uzz)log

There are two ways to go about getting a 2/5 star review from me. I suppose you could say I look at it sort of like a diving judge in the Olympics. There’s a level of difficulty that has to be factored in when evaluating a movie.

For example, take the recent Star Wars film. To me, Attack Of The Clones is a 2/5 star movie. I agree with many of my collegue Cliff Horowitz’s criticisms of the acting and storytelling in the film, but the sheer visual scope of the picture, the beautiful special effects work and the overall incredible aesthetic aspect of the film wins it 2/5 stars from me. George Lucas was shooting for a 5/5, but 2/5 is all he comes down with due to the film’s other shortcomings.

Then you have a film like Crossroads. Crossroads isn’t going for the gold. It’s not even trying to dive into the pool, it’s just basically doing a cannonball. And it does a decent cannonball. It’s a very simple picture, not challenging on any level, but it can hold your attention well enough if you are into teen coming of age films.

The film is notable only for the fact that it is the first major motion picture starring pop diva Britney Spears. In this day and age, one cannot reach the heights of fame that Britney has ascended to without being extremely telegenic and having some screen presence. Anyone who has seen her music videos knows that the camera is kind to her.

As an actress, she does a servicable job in the simple role of Lucy, a bookish Southern belle who, after re-bonding with two childhood friends post-high school graduation, sets off on a quest to find her wayward mother and in the process discovers herself. From that description only, you should be able to gleen that Crossroads is nothing new.

The question of whether or not Ms. Spears has a future in film will have to be settled in a meatier role somewhere down the line. Aside from serving as Britney’s debut, Crossroads is entirely unspectacular, with an unspectacular script, unspectacular directing, unspectacular acting and unspectacular anything else you can think of. It’s not bad, mind you … just not good either. Recommended for devoted Britney fans only, or those who have little else to do on some future lazy weekend afternoon and happen to bump into it on cable.

2/5 Stars.