*Editors Note: Only semi-spoilerish if you haven’t read the book*
Unlike apparently everyone else in the world, I hadn’t read The 5th Wave yet, so when we were invited to a screening by Sony, instead of rushing to read it, I decided to go in a total virgin. Much like Jamie Fraser on his wedding night, I was a blank 5th Wave slate. I didn’t even read the Wiki or the synopsis on IMDB and it was totally enjoyable guys and not about surfing, you gotta go! We’ve all seen Star Wars multiples times, the thought of the Leo/Bear scene in The Revenant scares you and you’re over government conspiracies so the 13th Hour is out, that means The 5th Wave is perfect! You can support book to film adaptations, especially ones that feature amazing female protagonists!Because this is the 5th Wave here are my FIVE reasons you need to watch it. See what I did there?!
1. Two words: Alex Roe and Nick Robinson
Helloooo nurse. I mean helloooo new actors we don’t know anything about and one of you has an British accent and the other is dark and broody. It’s like Sony knows us or something. Anyway if you remember Jurassic World from last summer you’ll know Nick, he was one of the Bryce Dallas Howard’s nephews who got lost and Alex Roe if you ever watched a show called Hollyoaks.
And as you can imagine there’s a bit of a love triangle here:
What is it about end-of-the-world love making sessions or virginity losing? SO MANY stories feature this and I have NO idea why, I can’t imagine a less sexy or romantic time than being chased by bad guys, no running water, wearing the same clothes and old socks but hey, LET’S DO IT!!!
2. Another two words: Chloe Grace Moretz and Maika Monroe
From the scene where Chloe is raiding an old convenience store and stops to grab tampons along with other survival basics like water, to the scene were Ringer doesn’t take any of the male misogyny around her and punches a dude in the throat, I knew these were female characters I could get behind and what some basic sites might even call “badass.” These are ladies who beyond a few moon-y eyed scenes with the boys were respectable and worthy of being looked up to by the younger crowd.
3. Ok, the CGI
This can make or break movies and there are some questionable moments, like when you can “see” the alien Others invader in the actor’s bodies. UM, gong, try again. But, honestly if you’re not expecting Transformers level CGI, you move on and enjoy the flick.
4. The “Adults!”
Burger from Sex and the City is Chloe’s dad! I immediately was like, is Burger going to leave a Post It note on the front door telling the family he’s left?! NOPE, Burger to the rescue! Ron Livingston is totally a hero figure though, he takes care of the kids, he gives a 2 second gun safety lesson to Chloe and then lets them get on a bus “headed to safety” separate from him. Ok, maybe not a hero but I loved him as their dad.
Sub-point: Can we talk about Mario Bello’s Hair?
This was like looking in a mirror circa 2003. That stripe-y shit was so hot then and I was rocking that look like no other. Last I checked it’s 2016 and there’s like, zero electricity, probably no flushing toilets, children are carrying guns and I’m pretty sure Sally Beauty is all sold out of the hair bleach and foils in the 5th Wave world. Back away from the foils Maria!
5. The Story: I want to read the book!
Not only did I enjoy the movie, I left the theater wanting to know more about everything: the characters, the backstory, the author, everything! And as luck would have it there’s not only the 5th Wave book but TWO follow ups! Infinite Sea and The Last Star which will be on shelves May 24th. Time to get reading yall! Perhaps we’ve cover it in our Boozy Book Club! You never know. While researching the movie after seeing it I found interesting posts about how The 5th Wave is more of a YA/Adult crossover than solely a YA novel and after seeing the movie I totally agree, this isn’t for young kids as the subject matter and visuals are something best left to folks a bit older and more seasoned.
While diving deeper into the fandom I found author, Rick Yancey‘s social profiles and man am I ever glad, Rick is a total dad, he tweets about his kids and his Twitter is full of Dad jokes. There’s nothing I like better than a YA author who isn’t TRYING to be cool.
Source
This tells you everything: Dad on a family vacay with his Lenova laptop and puffy, white New Balances. You do YOU, Rick!
Junket
We were lucky enough to be invited to the 5th Wave junket and came away with more reasons you need to see this movie. The cast is fabulous, funny and incredibly welcoming. Junkets, interviews and red carpets are all a recipe for: SUPER AWKWARD wherein some actors and crew are able to overcome the fact WE DON’T KNOW EACH OTHER and supply fun, quotable answers while others, well not so much. This cast had confidence and fun in spades.
Chloe had so much spunk (it was also near the end of the day) that I kept waiting for her to fully embody Kaylie Hooper from 30 Rock and yell, “Donaghy!” and Alec Baldwin would walk in.
Yes, they’re sitting on a table in a hotel room. Why not?
A. How freakin’ cute are they? And B. While waiting for my Maika and Nick interview, Chloe and Alex walked past me to leave through the hallway and she said bye to me and used my name. I tell you this not to feel cool (I’m too old) but because that’s pretty classy.
Beyond being Captain Morgon’s new spokesmodels, these two were beyond lovely. Both Nick and Maika joked that The 5th Wave was:
“Kickass ladies and sexy men.”
What more do you need guys? Really.
Go see The 5th Wave movie, not only to support great authors, YA novels and book to film adaptations but because it’s just a lot of fun! Oh and I want to see the other two books made into films. Go!
Have you read the book? Are you tickets purchased for The 5th Wave movie this weekend?
