Mid90s

A24 | Release Date: October 19, 2018

7.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 142 Ratings

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User Reviews

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tropicAcesOct 25, 2018

It’s a little aimless and has only one sympathetic character, but there are a few scenes that make me excited for Jonah Hill’s future as a director.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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TVJerryOct 30, 2018

Sunny Suljic plays a 13-year-old who's desperate to fit in with an older group of skaters, while escaping the bullying of his brother (Lucas Hedge effective as a tough guy). Comparisons to Larry Clark's KIDS (which was actually made in theSunny Suljic plays a 13-year-old who's desperate to fit in with an older group of skaters, while escaping the bullying of his brother (Lucas Hedge effective as a tough guy). Comparisons to Larry Clark's KIDS (which was actually made in the 90s) are inevitable. Writer/director Jonah Hill shot this in a 4:3 ratio to mimic the video standard of that time. It has the same kind of raw style that surrounds a cast of mostly real skaters, jiving, cussing and getting high. While there's not a plot as such, things happen and Suljic creates an earnest, sweet kid in search of friendship. The skaters are completely at home being themselves (or variations). It's a rambling, but genuine and interesting first effort.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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MattyiceOct 28, 2018

I'll start off by stating what I did like about this movie: the cinematography, acting, nostalgia, and soundtrack, all of which were great. The ultimate problem in this movie comes through its realism (or lack thereof). Most A24 films of thisI'll start off by stating what I did like about this movie: the cinematography, acting, nostalgia, and soundtrack, all of which were great. The ultimate problem in this movie comes through its realism (or lack thereof). Most A24 films of this style succeed in the fact that they are supposed to be "gritty observations of real life." Mid90s breaks this realism with its main character, a middle-class 10 year-old who drinks Colt 45, smokes cigarettes, and hooks up with women almost 8 years older than him. While it can be seen as satirical/urban fantasy in a certain light, the film does not paint it as such and continues to suggest realism with its subject matter. The film also is inconsequential, as characters do not develop after moments where they are clearly designed to (namely the supporting characters, but also the lead). In addition, plot threads drop or pop up with little purpose and the film ends anti-climactically. Overall, there was potential in the film's design, but it needed better execution, which I can see with refinement from Jonah Hill in future projects.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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RalfbergsNov 19, 2020

I thought it was pretty boring for me. And I am born in 1990 so should understand most of what is happening there but for me just was very slow paced and classic type of movie just showing how it was back then and at end predictable what willI thought it was pretty boring for me. And I am born in 1990 so should understand most of what is happening there but for me just was very slow paced and classic type of movie just showing how it was back then and at end predictable what will happen. Maybe not for me I guess… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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JLuis_001Jan 7, 2019

A fairly interesting yet failed remembrance of a long gone age.
I hate to use this word but I personally think this film was greatly overrated.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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amheretojudgeDec 24, 2018

Growing Up And Skating Down.

Mid90s Hill's first major motion picture is a typical style over substance case. There is very less to chew on and more to run on or skate on. And being judged by his viewers with both the eyes wide open, HillGrowing Up And Skating Down.

Mid90s

Hill's first major motion picture is a typical style over substance case. There is very less to chew on and more to run on or skate on. And being judged by his viewers with both the eyes wide open, Hill is a much more smarter and effective director than he is a writer. This uncouth slick street is the perfect stage for its characters. But, clearly this is already something that we have experienced before. And no matter how jaggedly his vision is on mark, he could not crown them on, in his storyline decoratively. The primary reason to that is his stereotypical and undercooked characters that are misguided under the impression of crafting out the practicality in it.

There is no circle, there is no reason, there is no arc to his storytelling. And even as a series of various episodes, Hill struggling behind the camera, obscurely leaping across the narration leaves you into an uncharted territory, he is not the advisable guide to this inadequate story. Nevertheless, the ferocious pace in his narration and shorter runtime clocks your experience to a satisfactory note. His direction eerily resembles with Malick's camera work at times, and gives you a familiar neighborhood environment where we have played aplenty of times. Each character, driven by their parched two liner note can easily be evaluated within the first act.

Hill's world in here is out of control, free from any bound knowledge, it is intriguing but not competent in its own range. Aforementioned, Hill soars on executing the written words on screen; although they are not something to be replied upon in here, surprisingly the performance is a vital theme to this film. It is scripted to be relied upon the performance and milking out the best from the achieved opportunity, both the younger and older cast manages to mark a stamp on this drama.

Hitting themselves brutally in a wall or in a fist fight or falling over while practicing, the physical sequences are meant to create a long lasting awe and it does but unfortunately, it raises questions on its existence itself. Suljic, the protagonist, is a better performer than his character is, and he is the only strong character involved in this over thought out journey. In fact, his friends wins over a large margin than his family. Scraping off the nature and the sluggish memories that they are dipped into, Hill's eye on their emotions gives them an absorbing angle to project.

Waterston and Hedges, the major talents and disappointment of the film, are left untouched to feel their skin in the game. Plodding on a familiar structure, fortunately Hill doesn't thrive upon huge antics, his unswerving content, even though flat line, is something to look upon. If he fumbles on delivering a flamboyant storytelling, his knack of keeping the conversations practical and subtle is a promising element, that lifts up this so called arthouse. Hill's memories of Mid90s may be apt, but similar to it, it has both flawed and grandeur moments.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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cameronhalmansJan 9, 2019

Jonah Hill serves up a potentially good film, the trailer was amazing. However it’s dull with very little to show for. If only only the script decided to show us these kids lives instead of telling us on a rooftop scene. I mean the film isJonah Hill serves up a potentially good film, the trailer was amazing. However it’s dull with very little to show for. If only only the script decided to show us these kids lives instead of telling us on a rooftop scene. I mean the film is literally 84 minutes. Potential but just not there. 50/100… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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bataguilaJun 19, 2019

Otra tipica pelicula tipo kids, donde las drogas el alcohol y vagar es malo. nada nuevo

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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thelettereJan 16, 2020

I had high hopes for this film. I'm a 90's kid, and I wanted a dose of nostalgia along with a good story.

What I got instead was a full-on mid-90's *&^% &^%$. Like the movie literally @#$%'s viewers with what is akin to a phallic object madeI had high hopes for this film. I'm a 90's kid, and I wanted a dose of nostalgia along with a good story.

What I got instead was a full-on mid-90's *&^% &^%$. Like the movie literally @#$%'s viewers with what is akin to a phallic object made of mid90's memorabilia. The stream of nostalgia literally never lets up the entire film. He has mid90's posters on his wall. He wears a TMNT shirt. In the background of scenes there are 90's sitcoms playing. And so on and so on.

Believe it or not, in the mid90s, we didn't always wear mid90s shirts. We didn't necessarily have mid90s posters on the wall. We sometimes watched sitcoms from (gasp!) the 80's. Or sometimes even the 70's. Point is, it just goes too far, such that immersion is impossible. The title should have sent that message with flashing lights, but my own nostalgic blinders likely prevented me from noticing. Who names a story after a time period? That isn't like a war pic? Good stories are about people, not about a time period.

And the main character here is a bore. And his relationship with his brother seems contrived. And it kinda goes nowhere.

I love most of what I've seen and heard of Jonah Hill. He seems like such a likable dude. I just wish I could say the same thing about his film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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MattBrady99Feb 11, 2020

Jonah Hill's directorial debut is pretty decent, but pretty flawed.

It's like 'This is England', just more 90's American. While not the most original take on the coming-of-age story and even Jonah Hill agrees, and yet what stopped it fromJonah Hill's directorial debut is pretty decent, but pretty flawed.

It's like 'This is England', just more 90's American.

While not the most original take on the coming-of-age story and even Jonah Hill agrees, and yet what stopped it from being stale is it's presentation.

The performances and cinematography are the strongest element of the movie. Sunny Suljic was terrific as Stevie. He delivered a humble performance while also displaying a troubled side. Lucas Hedges was great and appropriately casted in the part, especially when he's given the opportunity to work with material that suites him.

However my issues stem from the lack of development from some characters for me to care for them. Not all of the scenes that were suppose to be emotional work for me, because I didn't think it was fully earned to get an emotional response from me.

Despite all that, this is so personal for Jonah. A personal story that might not reflect his life to the fullest, but the desire to fit in and feel less invisible in a crowded room is something that we all craved at some point in our lives...or even right now.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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