Release Date: February 8, 2011
Rating: PG
Running Time: Approx. 105 minutes

For Marnie (Kristen Bell), high school was a horror movie, and her brother’s wedding is the sequel when her arch rival comes back to haunt her as his bride. Its nice girl versus mean girl in this hysterical reunion with the one person Marnie would really like to forget. And if that weren’t enough, Marnie’s mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) reunites with her own high school nemesis (Sigourney Weaver). Complete with hilarious, never-before-seen bonus material, You Againis one crazy comedy that’ll keep you laughing again and again.

YOU AGAIN features a brilliant all-star cast with comedy pedigree performances by Kristen Bell (Couples Retreat, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Jamie Lee Curtis (Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Freaky Friday), Sigourney Weaver (Avatar, Baby Mama), Kristin Chenoweth (“Glee,” “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue”) and Betty White (“Hot in Cleveland,” The Proposal).

You Again garnered a few big laughs but for the most part is what one would expect from a high school revenge film made in Hollywood. The premise is fun and realistic but the execution has far too many familiar cliches and exaggerated characters to completely appreciate all that this film has to offer. It aims to be something different than what we’ve seen before but in the end, this film still had potential to have so much more depth. It is amusing and intriguing enough to watch especially because of the incredible all star cast. I actually wanted more of Weaver and Curtis as they stole the film from Bell and Yustman. Though the slapstick comedy, mainly from Bell did spark quite a few major laughs and is worth the watch alone.

As for the characters…at first, it seems that all there is to Joanna and Ramona is vanity. But over the course of the film it is revealed that though truly successful in life, they have created the false image of who they genuinely are themselves because of regret and jealousy. It is all very petty on both sides. Marni and Gail get themselves into unfortunate situations because of unforgiveness, denial, and curiosity among other feelings. Then there’s Marni’s older brother, who is getting married to Joanna. I found it to be quite odd that Marni’s brother is not the least bit interested in having a one on one catching up conversation with Marni before the wedding. He automatically assumes how she is doing and feeling and the only reason that I can understand this happening is because when you are in love, sometimes you only see what you want to see.

So the relationship between Marni and her brother could have had more depth. There could have still been a rivalry between the ladies even with him in the know, so to have him portrayed the way that he is does the character such an injustice. Although he isn’t very bright, being engaged to a cheerleader when he was on the basketball team at the same high school and he didn’t even realize they went to the same school until adulthood. There are some serious flaws in this story. The school wasn’t that big. I went to a regional high school, never even went to a basketball game and I know who the cheerleaders and basketball players were. Anyway, the main characters are relatable in the general aspects, so the attempt is appreciated.

There were other aspects of the film that were done quite well. The
cinematography was beautiful. The transitions from the past to the present were smooth and placed in the film at just the right moments. The conclusion of the story was predictable but was still heartfelt as emotions ran very high once everyone was forced to face the truth. You Again is about growing up, owning up to your past, and taking responsibility for your actions in the past, present, and future. If this film does one thing, it definitely encourages people to face the truth head on. Great cast. Great laughs. Great message.

Bonus Features:

Following Fickman: On Set With the Director – Follow director, Andy Fickman behind the scenes on the set of You Again! In this feature we not only see how much fun Fickman allows the cast to have on set but the cast also talks about how Fickman allows them to try different things and really experiment with their characters. It seems that he is a very easy going and open director. He knows what he wants and he’ll get it done but with heart. That’s what makes him such a fabulous director and that’s why he deserves a special feature all to himself. Job well done.

Appearing in this Feature:
Cast Members, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman, Victor Garber, Jimmy Wolk, Sean Wing, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kristin Chenoweth, and Betty White
Producer, John J. Strauss
Assistant Property Master, Mark Richardson
Script Supervisor, Betty Bennett

Deleted Scenes – Director Andy Fickman provides introductions to the three deleted scenes, “Sharing A Room,” “Photo Album Memories,” and “Riding The Silk.” All of these scenes were intended to make the final cut of the film, but were ultimately cut for timing and pacing, thankfully. The first scene is an extended scene of Marni’s first awkward night at home sharing a room with Joanna. In the second scene, the family is going through the family album when Joanna and Gail bond over being in a sorority while Marni is awkwardly trying to avoid this part of the conversation. In the last scene, the ladies are in ballroom dancing class as Gail attempts to ride the silk like Georgia did when she welcomed everyone to class. Thankfully, these scenes were cut from the film as they don’t add anything to the story and are not really worth watching on DVD.

Ask the Cast – Jaime Lee Curtis, Betty White, Sigourney Weaver and Kristen Bell sit down to answer 3 fan questions which are about career preparation, a high school dance, and getting the lead in the school musical. Everyone’s answers provide great advice…that is if you don’t include Betty’s crazy ramblings.

Funny or Die – In this behind-the-scenes interview spoof, Jaime Lee Curtis, Betty White, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman and Kristen Bell discuss the movie when things get tense between the actresses eventually boiling over into a cast fight. This spoof will definitely have viewers laughing out…and wanting to watch Weaver’s hit, Avatar again.

Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD plus…
* Blooper Dance Party
* Additional Deleted Scenes

Own You Again on 2 Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD February 8, 2011.