In Paper Towns, an introverted high school senior in love with the girl across the street, lives an adventure with her. Is it all he expected? Read Kidzworlds Blu-ray review.
By Lynn Barker
Paper Towns is full of people you know; the cute but shy guy at school crushin’ on the wild and hot girl, his nerdy but loyal buddies sticking by his side and looking for adventure. Will chasing an impossible love dream bond the buddies forever?
Long Time Crush
In small-town Florida, 18-year-old Quentin (Nat Wolff) in his senior year and headed for college, remembers that he has always had a major crush on his neighbor Margo (Cara Delevingne) since they were kids. Now, she barely notices him in favor of more rebellious boyfriends and BFFs.
Spying on Margo's ExCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Through the Window
One night Margo climbs through his window like in the old days asking for his help to get even with her cheating boyfriend (Griffin Freeman) and her best gal pal Lacey (Halston Sage) whom she thinks betrayed her by not telling her about her man’s infidelity. It’s a wild night of pranks against those who have wronged Margo and Quentin (“Q”) has the time of his life. At last, could she really like him?
Lacey and Q. plan the tripCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Margo sneaks through Q's windowCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Into Thin Air
The next day Margo vanishes, leaving hard-to-find clues about where she's gone. Q enlists his pals Ben and Radar (Austin Abrams and Justice Smith) to help him find her. He has already found enough clues to realize she might be in one of the “paper towns” she talks about. They are fake towns map-makers use so nobody can copy and steal their work. She must be where one of those is supposed to exist.
Q. , Radar and Ben at schoolCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Road Trip
The best buds end up taking a road trip with Lacey and Radar's girlfriend Angela (Jaz Sinclair), following Margo’s trail from Florida to upstate, rural New York. Like most road trips, this one is full of silly adventures, coming of age and bonding bigtime. Will Q really find Margo? Will everybody get back to enjoy prom in time?
Road Trip!Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Paper Towns Trailer
Special Extra Features
- Deleted Scenes with optional commentary are okay but not needed.
- Alternate Scene: "Shake It Off" - The trio of buddies sing an alternate song. In the film it is the “Pokemon” theme. Pretty funny.
- Paper Towns: The Making Of – is fun on set stuff with interviews by all the cast and filmmakers including book author John Green who also wrote “The Fault in Our Stars”. We learn that the cast and filmmakers all lived in the same building during the shoot which made for a great “family” bonding. The young cast were all fans of the novel. Casting them is discussed. Overall, a nice extra.
Margo and Q. stock up for the prank spreeCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
- John and Nat: Lightning Round – is a fast Q & A with Green asking star Nat questions about his life etc. Let’s you kind of get to know him.
- John and Cara: Lightning Round – same thing only a little wackier.
- Gag Reel – is cute but not overly hilarious
Q. and Margo pinkie touch on their prank spreeCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Promotional Featurettes: Van Chats – just quick snippets of the gang on their road trip. Kind of fun. Some of these seem to have made it to the film, others not.
- Audio Commentary by Jake Schreier and John Green – director and book author aren’t all that forthcoming with tech or shooting information but there are several zany tidbits from shooting the movie. Plenty about the cast is mentioned. Worth a listen after seeing the film first.
Margo decides where to runCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Wrapping Up
Although the basic story of Paper Towns isn’t all that mind-blowing, the characters and actors playing them will draw you in. You will probably see yourself or your friends in them and relate. The film isn’t perfect but really does show how crazy adventures can bond pals.
Q. dreams of a glam MargoCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
The extras are pretty complete and any fan of John Green and his books should be thrilled at how much he is included. We go 4 stars.
Paper Towns Blu-ray Rating:
Paper Towns is now available on Blu-ray DVDCourtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Have Your Say
Are you into films about high schoolers on an adventure? Are you a Cara Delevingne or Nat Wolff fan? Do you read John Green's books? Comment below.
