Usually I like to review movies with no caveats, but this one is unique. This weekend I went to dinner with my wife. Since she doesn't drink, I was drinking for two. Because the bartender was a true artist of his craft, I felt it would be insulting to only have two of his masterpieces. So three became the number of the Old Fashioneds. I'm pretty sure the bartender said, "Three shall be the number thou shalt drink, and the number of the drinking shall be three. Four shalt thou not drink, neither drink thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be drank, then lobbest thou keys to the Hyundai towards thy wife who, being awesome in My sight, shall drive it."
When I got home, my daughter asked if I wanted to watch KPop Demon Hunters with her. "Giddyup" I thought. I figured pop music and Demon Hunting would pair nicely with three bourbon old fashioneds... because just about everything except driving or going to work pairs well with three bourbon old fashioneds. So I sat down, poured myself one very tiny bourbon on the rocks and began to watch .
I'm pretty sure the movie was about some kind of ancient guardians, like the Knights Templar, who guarded the world from demons destroying it. These guardians somehow used music to protect the world and had done it with all musical genres dating back a long time... like before the 1980s even! I don't think it was actually in the movie, but I remember questioning if the Spice Girls were really demon hunters. Or maybe Devo. That would explain Devo.
Well this movie was set in modern times, so KPop is the music of choice to save our world from demons. This meant the movie was full of upbeat KPop songs. Before this movie, I couldn't even really tell you what KPop is exactly but I now think it is super catchy pop hooks, with crazy visuals, and some rapping/talking mixed in. I have always been a fan of electronic dance music, so I think I may have actually liked it. Or at least I liked this experience.
Aside from being buzzed, the movie was fun to look at and listen to. The movie is made for kids so I am sure you can guess what happens when a girl KPop band of demon hunters has to square off against a boy KPop band of demons. There are some fight scenes, sing offs and I think dance battles. Whatever they were, the animation looked pretty cool. It was all very bright and exciting. I remember laughing a few times at some of the characters. I think I really liked whichever member of the girl band was supposed to be the Aubrey Plaza-esque sullen, emo one. In short, I was entertained.
Probably my favorite part of the movie was the end credits (no it wasn't because I wanted the movie to be over... I actually had fun watching it). During the credits they showed all of the real singers and actors from the movie. Because I do not know a lot about young Korean stars, it was cool to see the talent behind this movie. Although I am way too old to be a KPop Stan, I can see why the kids today dig this. It is fun, energetic music. Every generation has their version of it. It may not be exactly for me, but I'd be lying if I said, I wouldn't dance to it if I heard it in a club... after having three old fashioneds.
Oh wait. I just remembered something else. This movie was not completely vapid. It actually had a really positive message about being yourself and loving yourself for who you are. Considering who the target audience of this movie is, that is a very powerful and needed message. Kids (of all ages) can never hear that enough!
If you like electronic music and old fashioneds, you might enjoy this one.