REVIEW - THe 4:30 Movie
The 4:30 Movie - 2024
Review: The 4:30 Movie Directed by Kevin Smith
I’ll admit, I wasn’t always a Kevin Smith fan. During the height of Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob, I didn’t quite get the appeal. But about two or three years ago, I decided to give Kevin Smith another shot to see what all the love was about. I revisited Clerks and Mallrats, and suddenly, it clicked for me. I understood the humor and the cleverness that fans had adored for years. The references to films like Fletch and Star Wars resonated with me, almost as if Kevin Smith was writing directly to me. Even though I’m a generation removed from Smith’s Gen X sensibilities, the references felt familiar, the conversations about movies and pop culture reflective of the ones I’ve had with friends over the years.
When I watched Dogma, it confirmed what I had come to appreciate—Smith’s work is not only hilarious but also bold, and Dogma stands as one of the great films of the ‘90s. So when I heard Kevin Smith had a new movie coming out, naturally, I was excited.
Like many fans, I was secretly hoping for another Mallrats sequel or perhaps another Jay and Silent Bob film. I really enjoyed Jay and Silent Bob Reboot—a lot. So, when I found out The 4:30 Movie was going to be a PG-13 coming-of-age film, I was intrigued but also unsure of what to expect from Smith in this genre.
Within the first few minutes of the film, though, I got it. Smith’s love for cinema and nostalgia poured into every frame, and it felt like a love letter to the ‘80s and all those nostalgic movie-going experiences.
The young cast in The 4:30 Movie is fantastic. Despite being far removed from the 1980s, they embody the era’s vibe. The older brother character is a standout, constantly channeling an Andrew Dice Clay persona, which makes perfect sense considering the time period when Dice was at his peak.
The film’s heart, however, lies with the young protagonist—a clear stand-in for a younger Kevin Smith. He’s the movie-obsessed kid who wears a T-shirt in the pool because he feels self-conscious about his weight. It’s sweet to watch him navigate that awkward charm we all had as kids, especially when trying to impress the girl he likes. His mission to get her into the movie theater is something many of us can relate to—because for so many, the movie theater was the place of first dates and first kisses.
I especially loved the way Smith captured those old-school movie theater shenanigans—buying a ticket for one movie and sneaking into others, getting into harmless mischief with friends. The film captures that nostalgia perfectly.
There’s also a lot of fun in the references peppered throughout the film. The movie they’re trying to see is essentially Fletch, and the pop culture nods, like discussions about pro wrestling, are spot-on. One character's promo even feels like a tribute to Booker T’s GI Bro era in Western Wrestling Alliance. For wrestling fans, especially, this small detail will stand out and bring a smile.
Beyond the references and humor, The 4:30 Movie is a throwback in its pacing, too. It’s a tight 90 minutes—refreshing in a time when so many movies push past the two-hour mark. It feels like a throwback to the films of the ‘80s and ‘90s in all the best ways, with no wasted time.
Kevin Smith stretches his creative muscles here, showing that he can move beyond R-rated comedies or horror films. The 4:30 Movie is heartfelt, sincere, and a reminder of those carefree Friday nights at the movies. It’s a nostalgic trip that invites all of us to reminisce about the days when we were young, awkward, and in love with the magic of cinema.
For all these reasons, I highly recommend The 4:30 Movie. It’s a charming, nostalgic journey that reminds us why we fell in love with movies in the first place.
