The Final Girls (2015)★★★★☆

I went into this one not knowing what to expect. Was it horror? Comedy? Comedy-horror? I was pleasantly surprised to find that whatever it was, it was entertaining and engrossing throughout.

I thought the cast was chosen well, although I did laugh a little at the fake crow’s feet on Malin Akerman’s present-day self. I love Taissa Farmiga, I thought Adam Devine was perfect, and this was by far the most likable character I’ve ever seen Alexander Ludwig play.

I also liked that the movie didn’t take itself too seriously, though I suppose the premise – kids getting stuck inside a camp (and campy) slasher – doesn’t really lend itself to being taken seriously. It’s like they started from the same concept as The Cabin in the Woods but took it in a more positive direction – rather than suggesting you might be a horrible person for liking slasher films, this one pokes fun at some of the more ridiculous slasher tropes and leaves out any judgement of the audience.

The PG-13 rating served this one well – it’s almost more of a family film than a horror film, and too much blood and gore would have ruined that. I believe it was the movie’s trailer that called it “the feel-good horror movie of the year,” which is a totally apt description. I wouldn’t call it a true “scary movie,” but it was a fun, funny ride that any horror fan would appreciate.