“Buddy” takes place inside the television show, “It’s Buddy!”, as children spend their days singing, dancing and helping spread happiness. When one kid refuses to play along, cracks begin to appear in the seemingly perfect world.
It has the gimmick. But does “Buddy” do enough with it? The answer is… sometimes.
Co-writer and director Casper Kelly creates something that is strangely original here. Conceptually, it’s akin to The Twisted Childhood Universe. The execution is just very different. Similar to “Barney & Friends,” Kelly brings a vibrant unicorn (rather than a Tyrannosaurus Rex) to the screen. Also comparable to “Blue’s Clues,” it features a variety of talking items like Strappy, Mr. Mailbox, Charlie the Train and more. All of this is to say — it’s weird.
And this weirdness allows it to thrive over the first third of the 95-minute runtime. Just like a TV show, the film follows an episodic structure with an intro and closing credits to bookend each storyline. Each new one that passes becomes more bizarre than the last, until eventually, it explodes. “Buddy” is at its best when teasing the horrors. Kelly frames many of the initial killings offscreen or only shows them for mere seconds. These are some of the movie’s most effective moments, contrasting the kid-friendly, bubbly personality with snaps of uncontrollable rage. As more begins to be shown, the problems arise.
Initially it may seem like “Buddy” is just going to be a string of connected “episodes.” It’s not. Eventually, Kelly and Jamie King’s screenplay attempts to inject a real-world story into the mix. What was once strictly horror comedy transitions into a hybrid with drama as well. In a movie about a mascot killing kids, these tones don’t mesh. As emotional beats are escalated in the final act, the conclusion loses some of the twisted charm that was once present.
This isn’t the fault of the actors, though. Cristin Milioti’s (Grace) character is the source of the somewhat jarring sentimental push, but she still delivers a convincing performance. While she is certainly overshadowed by the child actors, Milioti gives “Buddy” a much-needed sense of maturity. The stars of the show are Delaney Quinn (Freddy), Caleb Williams (Wade), Tristan Borders (Oliver) and Madison Skyy Polan (Hannah). Quinn is the wise member of the group, showing the necessary fear while attempting to convince others that Buddy is dangerous. Williams is constantly funny, being a standout presence every time that he appears.
You also can’t forget about the voice work from Keegan-Michael Key (voice of Buddy) and physical performance from Sergey Zhuravsky (Buddy suit). Turning a seemingly innocent childhood character into a monster requires the right voice, and Key has it. It’s the perfect amount of kooky, the perfect amount of jovial and just the right amount of creepy. Pairing this with Zhuravsky’s movements in the practical suit, you have a complete — and possibly iconic — killer.
The cinematography from Zach Kuperstein is a bright spot. When in the world of “It’s Buddy!”, the film is presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio. This, mixed with the grainy visual aesthetic, instantly gives it a throwback feel. Additional aspect ratios and textures are also utilized to signify different settings. Production designer Anna Kathleen and costume designer Shawna-Nova Foley craft an authentic replica of a ’90s kids show. The set is based around a central clubhouse, with an “outdoor” environment that is made up of vibrant walls and decorations that slowly fade away. And, of course, the bright orange unicorn that is in the middle of it all, making Buddy an instantly eye-catching villain.
All around, the practical effects are impressively cheesy. Whether it’s the talking objects or the kills themselves, everything fits inside the world of “Buddy.” Does the final act overreach? Undoubtedly. But the effects still feel like they fit inside this outlandish universe.
“Buddy” has the makings of a cult classic, but fails to fully live up to its preposterousness. The magic slowly dwindles away, and it never comes back.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
