This is a total reach on an actual objective film rating level-there's no sugarcoating that-but I now have my revisionist lens on to give y'all the lowdown on this failed TV pilot from FOX that premiered in February '96 (when I was but a wee lad).
This is how subverted 90s culture is when you watch a film from the time in today's world post 2010 (here's looking at you 21 Jump Street): the tough guy/cool guy lines come across as minuscule and sad yet hilarious, the school dynamics between kids has drastically changed, just because a dutch angle is being used for every other scene doesn't make the film extra "interesting" or rebellious, and while being embarrassed by your parents is definitely still a thing it's a far cry off from only getting a phone call in front of all your friends. There's more but those are the big ones you can check off your list. Somehow the plot point of the dream world and being an angsty mutant teen particularly in the 90s strikes a chord, and because our world and film is drastically different today, Generation X comes off as perfectly grungy and surreal.
Superhero films are a dime a dozen these days, it's what the masses want. The technology we have at our fingertips has allowed for us to create vast worlds and rather intense sequences of pristine ship chases and bright colorful zap-fights (new word, cool right?). We live in a time where it almost takes less imagination to think of these things because we are able to harness how real it all looks, but I'm here to argue how real something looks shouldn't always be the goal. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Generation X with all it's massive flaws in whichever category you choose (writing, directing, lighting, casting, etc) spurs up a ton of admiration from me for the practical (and special) effects pulled off here for such a small budget (after reading many disappointed reviews I also set the bar really low). And even with said flaws (I have my revisionist glasses on remember) there's this alluring nostalgia that festers off this thing; dipped in the intensely off-putting color clashes and over-utilized dutch angles that made the 90s "cool".
I also tend to be a comic nerd (less so these days than what I used to be-feel like I've forgotten so much), and this is an entirely other viewpoint many share in regards to this failed pilot. Jubilee is white! Mondo is a jerk! Skin is no tough-guy! Why are some characters missing and others are heroes I've never heard of? While I once was someone who moaned and griped about such specific details I've come to learn that creative license is not really a bad thing when proper commitment is also brought to the table. The only compliment I can give the writing here is its said commitment regarding the character arcs (while remaining mostly weak). I'm even ok with the fact the writers chose to rip off the Nightmare on Elm Street films with its dream plot. It's pulled off rather successfully here for what little everyone had to work with.
There is something other than the nostalgia though that works for me, and looking back makes it seem all the more screwed up that this was for a teenage crowd. The production design and direction in some sequences are absolutely stellar and are definitive hallmarks of 90s filmmaking in particular. The sequences in the dream world are distant and disturbingly surreal (that moonlit path). These sequences are aided by great sound design and come off as superbly eerie. The eerie-ness is compacted with the major contrast between Matt Frewer's poor man's Riddler in the vein of Jim Carrey versus the sudden moments of intense and wacky melodrama. The tonal execution somehow works with so much going on in some areas yet not enough in others, potentially a conundrum I can no more explain, but is just meant to be consumed.
Watching this brought me back to my younger years in more ways than 98% of the super hero movies that come out today. I'm not sure if I've really made my case or justified my rating. I'm reminded of Charmed in some sequences which has turned into a good thing as I watched the entire series with my wife months back during lockdown. Generation X is another film (failed pilot) that showcases some good autumn vibes, some decent melodrama and minor character moments mixed with nostalgia and a ripped off plot (that tends to not make much sense but sort of works). With all that said, I loved it. Where's our gritty remake of this Generation X, Hollywood? Give me more Jubilation Lee (whether white or Chinese) kicking ass and taking names.
Thank you too fellow Letterboxer Todd for putting this on my radar. Give him a follow cause he's a great guy writing great reviews! This was a night well spent going down memory lane.
This is how subverted 90s culture is when you watch a film from the time in today's world post 2010 (here's looking at you 21 Jump Street): the tough guy/cool guy lines come across as minuscule and sad yet hilarious, the school dynamics between kids has drastically changed, just because a dutch angle is being used for every other scene doesn't make the film extra "interesting" or rebellious, and while being embarrassed by your parents is definitely still a thing it's a far cry off from only getting a phone call in front of all your friends. There's more but those are the big ones you can check off your list. Somehow the plot point of the dream world and being an angsty mutant teen particularly in the 90s strikes a chord, and because our world and film is drastically different today, Generation X comes off as perfectly grungy and surreal.
Superhero films are a dime a dozen these days, it's what the masses want. The technology we have at our fingertips has allowed for us to create vast worlds and rather intense sequences of pristine ship chases and bright colorful zap-fights (new word, cool right?). We live in a time where it almost takes less imagination to think of these things because we are able to harness how real it all looks, but I'm here to argue how real something looks shouldn't always be the goal. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Generation X with all it's massive flaws in whichever category you choose (writing, directing, lighting, casting, etc) spurs up a ton of admiration from me for the practical (and special) effects pulled off here for such a small budget (after reading many disappointed reviews I also set the bar really low). And even with said flaws (I have my revisionist glasses on remember) there's this alluring nostalgia that festers off this thing; dipped in the intensely off-putting color clashes and over-utilized dutch angles that made the 90s "cool".
I also tend to be a comic nerd (less so these days than what I used to be-feel like I've forgotten so much), and this is an entirely other viewpoint many share in regards to this failed pilot. Jubilee is white! Mondo is a jerk! Skin is no tough-guy! Why are some characters missing and others are heroes I've never heard of? While I once was someone who moaned and griped about such specific details I've come to learn that creative license is not really a bad thing when proper commitment is also brought to the table. The only compliment I can give the writing here is its said commitment regarding the character arcs (while remaining mostly weak). I'm even ok with the fact the writers chose to rip off the Nightmare on Elm Street films with its dream plot. It's pulled off rather successfully here for what little everyone had to work with.
There is something other than the nostalgia though that works for me, and looking back makes it seem all the more screwed up that this was for a teenage crowd. The production design and direction in some sequences are absolutely stellar and are definitive hallmarks of 90s filmmaking in particular. The sequences in the dream world are distant and disturbingly surreal (that moonlit path). These sequences are aided by great sound design and come off as superbly eerie. The eerie-ness is compacted with the major contrast between Matt Frewer's poor man's Riddler in the vein of Jim Carrey versus the sudden moments of intense and wacky melodrama. The tonal execution somehow works with so much going on in some areas yet not enough in others, potentially a conundrum I can no more explain, but is just meant to be consumed.
Watching this brought me back to my younger years in more ways than 98% of the super hero movies that come out today. I'm not sure if I've really made my case or justified my rating. I'm reminded of Charmed in some sequences which has turned into a good thing as I watched the entire series with my wife months back during lockdown. Generation X is another film (failed pilot) that showcases some good autumn vibes, some decent melodrama and minor character moments mixed with nostalgia and a ripped off plot (that tends to not make much sense but sort of works). With all that said, I loved it. Where's our gritty remake of this Generation X, Hollywood? Give me more Jubilation Lee (whether white or Chinese) kicking ass and taking names.
Thank you too fellow Letterboxer Todd for putting this on my radar. Give him a follow cause he's a great guy writing great reviews! This was a night well spent going down memory lane.