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Mascots (2016 film)

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Mascots
Film poster
Directed byChristopher Guest
Written by
Produced byKaren Murphy
Starring
CinematographyKris Kachikis
Edited byAndrew Dickler
Music byJeffrey C.J. Vanston
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • September 10, 2016 (2016-09-10) (TIFF)
  • October 13, 2016 (2016-10-13)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Mascots is a 2016 mockumentary comedy film directed by Christopher Guest, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Piddock. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Ed Begley Jr., Christopher Moynihan, Don Lake, Zach Woods, Chris O'Dowd, Michael Hitchcock, Bob Balaban, and Jennifer Coolidge.

Guest has a small role as Corky St. Clair, a character he first played in Waiting for Guffman. Posey, Willard, Lake, Balaban, and Hitchcock also appeared in Guffman, but play different roles in this film.

Mascots premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2016, before being released on Netflix on October 13, 2016.[1][2]

Plot

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The film follows a diverse group of mascots as they prepare for the annual World Mascot Association Championships, where they compete for the prestigious Gold Fluffy Awards. The narrative focuses on various characters, each with their unique mascot persona, ranging from a bickering husband and wife duo, Mike and Mindy Murray, who perform as a turtle and octopus, to Cindi Babineaux, an aging dance artist inside an armadillo costume, and Tommy Zucarello, the laid-back mascot with a giant fist costume. The film captures their personal struggles and aspirations, including the tension within relationships, the pressure of family legacies, and the quest for personal validation through their mascot performances.

As the competition approaches, the film humorously explores the behind-the-scenes antics, the seriousness with which the participants take their roles, and the oddball nature of the event itself. The characters engage in various subplots, from navigating personal conflicts to dealing with the absurdity of mascot culture, like the introduction of unconventional elements like furries into the competition. The climax of the film is the championship event where mascots perform their routines, showcasing a mix of slapstick humor, physical comedy, and the heartfelt dedication of each competitor to their craft. Despite the lack of a tightly woven plot, "Mascots" celebrates the eccentricity of its characters, providing both satire and a gentle nod to the dedication found within even the most unusual professions.

Cast

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Production

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Netflix announced on August 11, 2015 that it would be released on the streaming service in 2016.[3] It was reported on August 26, 2015 that previous Guest collaborators Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, John Michael Higgins, Jennifer Coolidge, Bob Balaban, and Chris O'Dowd were in negotiations to join the film.[4] It screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.[5]

Reception

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On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 48% based on reviews from 48 critics, with an average rating of 5.70/10.[6] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 57 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7]

Devan Coggan of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "If you're a Guest devotee, you’ll be in the stands cheering; otherwise, Mascots feels like a bit of a retread."[8] Stephen Dalton of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "The gentle tone and disjointed sketch-show structure here will appeal to long-standing fans, but Mascots wins no prizes for innovation or progression. The jokes are uneven, the caricatures often overly broad and the plot almost nonexistent."[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ Mascots - Date Announcement - Netflix. YouTube. August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  2. ^ Calvario, Liz (August 2, 2016). "'Mascots' Teaser: First Look at Christopher Guest's New Netflix Comedy Film". Indiewire. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  3. ^ McNary, Dave (11 August 2015). "Netflix Acquires Christopher Guest's 'Mascots' Mockumentary". Variety. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  4. ^ Kit, Borys (26 August 2015). "Christopher Guest Gets (Most of) the Gang Back Together for Netflix's 'Mascots' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  5. ^ "Toronto To Open With 'The Magnificent Seven'; 'La La Land', 'Deepwater Horizon' Among Galas & Presentations". Deadline. July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  6. ^ "Mascots (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  7. ^ "Mascots". Metacritic. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Devan Coggan (2016-10-06). "'Mascots': EW Review". Entertainment Weekly.
  9. ^ "'Mascots': Film Review | TIFF 2016". The Hollywood Reporter. 2016-10-09.
  10. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (10 September 2016). "Toronto Film Review: 'Mascots'". Variety.
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