Sundown (2016) | Film Review

When we first meet Logan (Devon Werkheiser), he’s DJ’ing at a huge nightclub with hundreds of kids rocking to his beats. Well, in his mind anyway. The unfortunate truth is Logan’s a high school senior living off of little more than daydreams and missed opportunities. After his best friend, Blake (Sean Marquette), convinces him to steal his dad’s Porsche and impress the out-of-reach Lina (Sara Paxton), Logan is grounded and forced to house-sit while his parents (Teri Hatcher and John Michael Higgins) enjoy his planned vacation. Kudos to Mom and Dad for working out a punishment that leads to their own week-long cruise. Parenting, they’re doing it right.

As required in the ‘Teen Sex Comedy Handbook’, Blake gets an insane idea to skip house-sitting responsibilities and coast on down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to trail Lina, while also having the storied ‘Best Spring Break EVER’. Meeting the gorgeous Gabby (Camilla Belle) turns out to be both a blessing and a curse, as she leads to a missing family heirloom, questionable hookups, and the typical drunken shenanigans.

“Sundown” is not reinventing the wheel of Spring Break comedies, nor is it even attempting to. Director Fernando Lebrija wants nothing more than for us to live 90 minutes vicariously through Logan and Blake as they maneuver through a lighter mix of “Hangover” and “Spring Breakers” scenarios, hopefully spurring a spontaneous laugh and a sexed-up gasp every now and again. Thankfully, Werkheiser, Marquette, and Bell (with a nod to scene-stealer Silverio Palacios as Chuy, the guy who can get you anything) have an easy chemistry that carries the film forward, even as the amped up situations and over-the-top performances – Jordi Molla, we’re looking at you – risk careening the story off the rails.

Coming to life as a character of its own is the pulsating soundtrack supplied by the likes of real-life DJs Steve Aoki and Paul Oakenfield (who also cameo in the film). Much like the vibrant night-life scene in Puerto Vallarta itself, the music brings every shot to life. So much that, by the end of my fist-pumping, I was looking into booking a one-way flight to Mexico. I needed the best Spring Break EVER…until I remembered that kind of FUN has an age limit.

If you are looking for depth or introspect into the teen experience, “Sundown” is not for you. On the other hand, if you are willing to kick logic and good taste to the curb, this is a playful film with a strong cast and a bombastic soundtrack. It might not be the best Spring Break comedy ever, but this is a party you don’t want to miss.