20th Century Fox | 2009 | 102 mins. | Unrated
Teenage horror flicks are certainly nothing new; but one penned by Oscar-winning Juno scribe, Diablo Cody created a little more buzz than such projects are usually given. Directed by Karyn Kusama (Girlfight, Aeon Flux), Jennifer’s Body features the same type of sassy, sardonic dialogue that made Juno so memorable. Similarly, the story is ostensibly about an odd teenager with a slightly more popular best friend. But unlike Juno, Jennifer’s Body features the sex kitten wannabe Megan Fox, engaging in a girl-on-girl make-out session with co-star Amanda Seyfried, ensuring that some will rent or buy the Blu-ray or DVD, regardless of what countless reviewers have to say about it.
Mousy teenager Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is best friends with Jennifer (Megan Fox), the hottest girl in their high school. Jennifer takes needy to a rock concert at a local bar, featuring a band called Low Shoulder, led by a charismatic singer (Adam Brody). During the show, the bar burns down and the girls barely escape the fire. Jennifer takes off with the band for the night, only to show up at Needy’s doorstep later covered in blood and spewing black bile. Needy is traumatized but Jennifer shows up the next day with midriff and lip gloss intact and a strange need for male flesh. At the same time, the school is mourning the loss of one of their classmates. The first of what will turn out to be a string of murders involving high school age males. Jennifer seems unmoved by it all as Needy slowly begins to realize that her friend, though always selfish and self-serving, has changed in ways she can’t begin to comprehend.
Soon enough, Needy begins to fear that her boyfriend Chip (Johnny Simmons), might be the next target, and Needy realizes that Jennifer must be stopped. In the end, Needy figures out how to destroy the demon, so some fights ensue, Needy’s boyfriend gets in the mix, and one of the girls dies. I don’t want to ruin the ending for those of you that want to check out Jennifer’s Body for yourselves.
The thing I found most surprising was how weak Diablo Cody’s script seemed to be. Juno was so well constructed; I was amazed at the lack of real suspense throughout Jennifer’s Body. For the most part, I figured out the main points of the plot before they happened. Karyn Kusama doesn’t revel in the gore effects as Jennifer’s monster chews off the faces, necks, and other body parts of her assorted victims, but she’s fond of showing off camera moves for no reason other than she can have them (a long, long tracking shot toward Jennifer’s second victim, a burly football player, is completely unnecessary; an extremely tight close-up of two girls kissing seems way too long, an obvious marketing ploy). Other shots meant to provoke fear, are laughable, or worse yet cheesy.
I loved Juno, believe Megan Fox has some promise, and Aeon Flux is highly underrated; unfortunately, Jennifer’s Body is largely forgettable.
Jennifer’s Body comes to Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer, in the film’s original theatrical 1.85:1 ratio. Fox has delivered a solid presentation. Skin tones look good—Jennifer’s skin pales when she hasn’t fed—detail is remarkable (the gore and make-up gags look great); color really pops. Black levels are exceptional. There aren’t any real technical issues. There is occasional graininess, but it doesn’t affect the overall look of the picture.
Similarly impressive is the disc’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. When necessary, scenes are given wonderful surround support. As the camera whips around and things get more muscular, so does the mix. Similarly, the more dialogue heavy scenes (this is a Diablo Cody scripted movie, after all) are given the appropriate amount of heft. Everything sounds clear, crisp and well prioritized. Atmosphere is good, both the score and the loud pop punk songs sound great, and everything sounds pretty solid.
Additionally, the disc has Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, and Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks, and subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, and Thai.
The special features:
• Theatrical and Unrated Extended Cut This disc includes both versions of the film, though if you’re looking for more of Jennifer’s body in the extended cut you’ll be disappointed. Instead of adding more flesh and gore, the unrated version rearranges a few scenes and tosses in a few extra character beats.
• Commentary by Director Karyn Kusama and Writer Diablo Cody (Theatrical Version) Cody and Kusama discuss the film’s characters and themes, discuss creative choices, and give a female perspective on the horror genre.
• Commentary by Director Karyn Kusama (Extended Version) This is a scene specific track, where Kusama addresses the differences between the theatrical and extended cuts of the film.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 13:55 total) Six scenes are included here, most of which are extended versions of existing scenes.
• Gag Reel (SD, 4:55) This starts as a gag reel, but then it switches to random clips from the film and snippets of behind-the-scenes footage.
• Jennifer’s Body: The Dead Pool (1080p, 14:00) The Dead Pool focuses mostly on the filming of the climactic confrontation that takes place in the decrepit indoor pool. We get plenty of interviews, including writer Diablo Cody, director Karyn Kusama, and the stars. Special FX guru Greg Nicotero also shows off some of the preliminary designs for Jennifer’s torn jaw.
• Video Diaries (1080i, 12:51 total) Megan Fox, Johnny Simmons, Amanda Seyfried, writer Diablo Cody, and producer Dan Dubiecki all toted around Handicams for a few days to document their experiences on set.
• Megan Fox is Hot (1080p, 00:56) All the provocative shots of Fox from the film have been stitched together, one after another, for your viewing pleasure.
• Megan Fox “Peer Pressure” PSA (SD, 00:40) Megan’s public service announcement is all about the importance of being who you are, even if you’re a demon-possessed, boy-eating psychopath.
• Fox Movie Channel Presents Life After Film School with Diablo Cody (SD, 26:26)
In Life After Film School, three current students interview industry insiders, and here they sit down with Diablo Cody, who discusses her unlikely path from stripper to Oscar- winning screenwriter, and who fields questions about the process of writing Jennifer’s Body.
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