A Midsummer Night's Rave

A Midsummer Night's Rave is, at least in theory, based on the classic play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. It doesn't bear much resemblance to it's namesake but that's entirely besides the point. The plot, you ask? Effectively non-existent. A group of attractive young people get together to take lots of drugs and fall in and out of love with one another. It's not a story so much as a situation. And don't get me started on the idiotic subplot about the drug dealer chasing down the missing jacket. It was so unnecessary.

Andrew Keegan plays our leading man, Xander. It's odd but we actually don't get to know Xander very well despite him being in nearly every scene. All we ever learn about him is that he likes taking drugs and has a thing for a blonde girl named Mia. Keegan is not the best actor but he did what he could with what was obviously a skeleton of a script and his effort is to be applauded. Lauren German did a great job with what she was giving, breathing life into an otherwise inanimate character as Elena, the friend who secretly pines for Xander. I greatly enjoyed the drugged out soliloquy in which she appears to submit a video application to a dating network. Sunny Mabrey is attractive but unremarkable as Mia, the object of Xander's desire. Her character is as two dimensional as Xander's, which is really a shame.

Glen Badyna was fantastic as Puck, the fairy drug dealer who drifts in and out of the story, stealing scene after scene. I had never seen this actor before but man is he funny. It's really a shame he didn't get more screen time as he was easily the most entertaining character in the movie other than Elena. He almost makes the movie worth watching single handedly.

I've never been to a rave and have never taken drugs and this movie didn't exactly make me want to start. Still, I imagine that those who have spent some time in the rave scene might be able to relate to these characters a bit better than I. I'm probably being generous in rating this movie 5 stars but there were things about I quite liked. The soundtrack is somewhat enjoyable if you like techno music. The cinematography is also mesmerizing at times, in particular the scenes of drugged out dancing to house music.

i enjoyed this movie because i love Shakespeare and I've been to a lot of raves and...done what they do at raves....and watching this movie made me feel like i was really there. my heart was racing because it brought back so many memories and feelings-the actors totally nailed what you feel/look/act like when you're on the sh*t.

the story could have been better but hell, at least it was a creative premise.

Oberon was a freak and weirded me out

puck was adorable-who is he?

rent this on a weekend night you have to stay in, it sets a realistic mood.

I thought this was a great movie; the other review I see seems quite shallow. You have to realize for starters I loved the way the sound was done. There are times where you can hear the echo of the sound stage and it gives it the feel of a stage production as a midsummer night's dream was but, then it will fade away and it's just like you're at the rave noise loud music and such. I found it to be far more comedic of a movie than the romantic story from which it's based on. If you've ever been to a rave or "experimented" with your club drugs, you will get a kick out of the majority of this movie. As for the other reviewer's problems with the films "homosexuality issue" I really didn't feel it was very much an issue at all in the movie. The only scene that even came close to being "scandalous" was two guys passed out together. Otherwise you have your friendly dealer fairy that everyone knows and loves and that was all. I'd buy the DVD or rent it either one.

If you've seen Human Traffic and GO then this a little of both. It has the Americanism aspect you get in GO and almost the rave feeling and music from Human Traffic. I watched, sometimes I wanted to fast-forward, but something that makes a movie watchable is that I identified with a couple of the characters, even if it was only for something they said or a thought/feeling they were going through.

The problem with this movie was it needed to grow up, it needed to be more written around someones experience rather than experiences being shaped in to Shakespeare's play. Playing with the greats is not easy. Most if not all films based around Shakespeare have failed. If you take the idea and then use that to help you make a movie, using personal experience, maybe something like Point Break (which sort of takes off Romeo and Juliet) that is far more successful.

But then again what do I know I'm only the paying public!

Probably would have gone to the Cinema but tried to blag a student discount. Would not pay full price.

I am a massive fan of Jeremy London and his fine twin so I bought this film without even having seen it. Jason played a brief but significant part in this rather good film. He - however was not the highlight for me this time.

I'm afraid to say I've never heard of Corey Pearson but I am seeking his films like a lunatic now. What a divine creature. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I have now seen "Summer Catch" and "Going Greek" is on it's way. I think all the actors portrayed the euphoria of a rave quite well. But in a real rave you would see a lot more face-pulling and loss of inhibitions. The scene were Damon spots Elena after the drugs start to kick in is brilliant. I think that depicts the whole movie and the fact that a sweaty Corey Pearson is rather a delight to watch in this amorous state!!!!!! A solid effort for a Shakespearean Classic. I think he'd have been partying among the ravers at large had he been born a few centuries later!