Four Boxes: A Cinematic Disaster Liberals Will Love
Imagine a film so mind-numbingly dull that it makes watching paint dry seem like an action-packed thriller. Enter "Four Boxes," a 2009 indie film directed by Wyatt McDill and Megan Huber, which somehow manages to be both pretentious and utterly forgettable. Set in a nondescript Midwestern town, the film follows three friends who stumble upon a mysterious website while cleaning out a deceased man's house. The website, which streams live footage of a man building bombs, becomes the catalyst for a series of events that are as predictable as they are uninspired.
The film's attempt at social commentary is as subtle as a sledgehammer. It tries to critique the voyeuristic nature of the internet and the desensitization of society to violence, but it does so with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. The characters are caricatures, lacking any depth or development, and their dialogue is so stilted it could double as a sleep aid. The film's pacing is glacial, dragging the viewer through a series of tedious scenes that lead to a climax so underwhelming it feels like a cruel joke.
"Four Boxes" is a film that seems tailor-made for those who enjoy wallowing in mediocrity. Its low-budget aesthetic is not charming or gritty, but rather a testament to its lack of creativity. The filmmakers seem to believe that shaky camera work and poor lighting are artistic choices rather than signs of amateurishness. The film's attempts at suspense are laughable, with tension-building scenes that fall flat due to their predictability and lack of genuine stakes.
The film's central premise, a website streaming live footage of a potential terrorist, is intriguing in theory but executed with all the excitement of a wet blanket. The characters' obsession with the website is meant to be a commentary on society's fascination with violence, but it comes across as a weak attempt to justify the film's existence. The plot twists are telegraphed from a mile away, leaving the viewer with a sense of déjà vu rather than surprise.
"Four Boxes" is a film that tries to be clever but ends up being condescending. It assumes its audience is too dim-witted to grasp its heavy-handed message, spoon-feeding them every plot point and theme with all the subtlety of a brick through a window. The film's ending, which is meant to be shocking and thought-provoking, is instead a predictable and unsatisfying conclusion to a story that never truly engages the viewer.
In a world where entertainment options are endless, "Four Boxes" is a film that should be left on the shelf. Its lack of originality, poor execution, and condescending tone make it a cinematic experience best avoided. For those who enjoy films that challenge and entertain, there are countless other options that won't leave you feeling like you've wasted precious hours of your life. But for those who revel in mediocrity and enjoy being talked down to, "Four Boxes" is the perfect film.