Advertisements and media hype have given viewers mixed messages about "Jennifer's Body." In the trailers, the film comes across as a gory thriller with the added bonus of Megan Fox sexiness. But since the movie is penned by Diablo Cody, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the indie hit "Juno" (2007), it's expected to be wittier and include more social commentary than a run-of-the-mill bloodbath. This contradiction is present in the movie as well; "Jennifer's Body" is a horror film that attempts to be something more. Unfortunately, its attempt to rise above the typical thriller fails. It is ultimately confusing and distracted.
Jennifer Check (Megan Fox) is a small-town beauty whom every boy within a 50 mile radius has a crush on. Eager to do her bidding is the aptly-named Needy Lesnicky (Amanda Seyfried), her mousier, chubbier best friend. They've known each other since the sandbox, and they wear matching BFF necklaces.
One night, Jennifer drags Needy to a bar where a band of tattooed boys wearing eyeliner are performing. Little do the girls know that this band, headed by Nikolai Wolf (Adam Brody), is looking for a virgin to sacrifice so Satan will give them a record deal. The boys murder Jennifer, but it turns out she's not as innocent as she looks. Because she is not a virgin, Jennifer comes back to life possessed by a demon.
Consequently, Jennifer must sustain herself by feeding on boys from her high school. When Needy notices that Jennifer is always implicated in the murders, she tries to find a way to get rid of the demon and stop the madness.
If viewers go to this movie expecting steamy Megan Fox nudity, they'll be disappointed. Moreover, in this film, Fox isn't constantly bent over various motor vehicles; she actually has a somewhat meaty role that relies less on sheer hotness than her character in "Transformers" (2007). That said, "Jennifer's Body" could've been called "Megan's Body"
Surprisingly, Fox does an acceptable job with the lead role as a succubus that devours boys for breakfast. Seyfried is still far better in her role, playing the cute, dorky sidekick who turns into a fierce lady when Jennifer threatens her man Chip (Johnny Simmons).
Critics who complained about Cody's use of pop culture and wordplay in "Juno" will have even more to critique in this film. Both Jennifer and Needy are full of catchphrases and word abbreviations. However, while some critics of Cody say that these lines stop the flow of a scene, that doesn't seem to be the case here.
The problem with the film isn't the dialogue; it's the overall story and direction. Karyn Kusama, known for directing "Girlfight" (2000) and "Aeon Flux" (2005), doesn't have a clear vision of what film genre she's working in. Cody has combined comedy, horror and satire in one messy clash of ideas that never fit together in a coherent whole.
With the opening line
The barrage of awful things that happen in this movie
The best part of the movie is the middle section when Jennifer causes all sorts of mayhem. Much like Fox, Jennifer is only interesting when she's stirring something up with a deliciously evil grin on her face. Other than that, she's just a prettier-than-average dumb girl who wants attention.
The movie is fun, and, for once, Fox gets to do more than just pout her lips and stick out her assets (although there's plenty of that, too). For those looking for mindless entertainment and willing to put up with a messy plot, "Jennifer's Body" might please.
