Skip to main content

Saturday Night (2024) | Review


 2024 | R | 109 mins | Directed by Jason Reitman

The taping of the first episode of Saturday Night Live was a crazy and chaotic night. Director Jason Reitman takes us through the ups and downs of that first episode in Saturday Night. We mostly follow series creator Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) as he does everything in his power to make sure that the show not only goes smoothly but also makes sure that the show even makes it to air. With NBC executives breathing down his neck all night, cast members fighting with each other, cast members going missing and everyone questioning whether or not they can fit each segment into a ninety-minute show, Lorne has a lot on his plate to handle.

A look into the first night of such an iconic series makes for an interesting idea. Saturday Night Live is currently in its 50th season and there's no doubt everything that has gone into the show over the years to make it last and stay relevant for this long. Getting a glimpse into how it all started is exciting and Director Jason Reitman puts together a well-crafted depiction of just how hectic a night it really was. From the moment the movie starts it is off to the races. Everything moves so quickly as we jump around from character to character, and storyline to storyline. Unfortunately, the story mostly revolves around Lorne Michaels, so that leaves every other character with only so much time to make an impact.

Whoever oversaw casting did an incredible job. Almost everyone involved in the cast really transforms themselves into these roles. Not only do most of them look like who they are playing, but they get down all the mannerisms and characteristics of the actors they play as well. Not every single performance lands and there are some definite misses when it comes to casting, but the ones who do pull it off, do it extremely well. All the sets and costuming add another layer to the movie and transports the audience back to 1975 in the best way that it can.

The biggest downside in the story is that there are just way too many characters and sub plots to handle all at once. While mostly everyone is giving a good performance, not enough time is given to each character to really give the audience a sense of who they really are. There are small glimpses of everyone and base characteristics, but outside of Lorne Michaels no other characters really get more than a few moments to shine. It also feels like Jason Reitman plays it a bit too safe at times, never fully exploring most of the drama that surrounded that night. While there are flashes of conflict here and there, it all comes and goes so quickly that it is easy to forget because the story is moving on to the next thing.

In the end, Saturday Night is an entertaining look into the first night of Saturday Night Live. While there are too many characters and not enough time is given to each sub plot, the movie makes up for it with some great performances from a stellar cast. If you are a fan of Saturday Night Live, especially from this era, chances are you will enjoy this movie.

Rating: B-

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Review

  2026 | PG-13 | 145 mins | Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton It has been five years since the last Spider-Man movie hit theaters. Spider-Man: No Way Home was one of the biggest post pandemic movies and was able to capitalize on bringing together all three live action Spider-Man actors. After taking some time off, Spider-Man is back with a new director and a new look at not just the superhero but Peter Parker himself. Picking up right where the last movie left off, everyone has not only forgotten that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, but everyone also has forgotten Peter Parker altogether. Now, living on his own and mostly keeping to himself Peter tries to live a life without his aunt, his best friend and the love of his life. Continuing with his duties as Spider-Man, he has been collaborating with the local police to help track down any villains that try to destroy the city. He still keeps tabs on Ned and MJ as they are now attending MIT and living their life post-Peter Parker. A new t...
Post a Comment
Full Review »

Swapped (2026) | Review

  2026 | PG | 102 mins. | Directed by Nathan Greno Swapped is the latest in what seems to be a never-ending cycle of animated talking animal movies. With the success of Zootopia 2 last year and recent movies like Hoppers and Animal Farm also getting into the mix, how does Swapped separate itself from the pack? On paper, it looks like just another generic animal movie with a heavy-handed lesson that the characters must learn and then everyone feels good in the end. Thankfully, Swapped stands on its own and separates itself by being creative with its character designs as well as taking big chances in its plot point. Throughout the movie we follow a small woodland creature named Ollie (Michael B. Jordan). When he is younger, he befriends a young bird, called a Javan, that he shows how to eat the food of his species. After doing so the bird invites the rest of her flock to come and try this food, which makes things difficult for Ollie and his family. Ollie's species, called Pookoos, ha...
Post a Comment
Full Review »

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie | Review

  2026 | PG | 98 mins. | Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc After striking out in the 90s with a live action attempt at the character, Universal and Illumination finally struck gold with Mario and his pals in the 2023 smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The movie went on to gross over $1.3 billion at the box office and was the second highest grossing movie of 2023. It was inevitable based on well the movie did that a sequel would be right around the corner. Now in 2026 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is hitting theaters with a bigger story and even more characters.  When Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) is kidnapped by the son of Bowser (Jack Black), Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), it is up to Mario (Chris Pratt) and the gang to try and save her. Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) set out on their own journey to try and find where she is being kept. Meanwhile, Mario and Luigi (Charlie Day) stay back to help protect the Mushroom Kingd...
Post a Comment
Full Review »

Toy Story 5 | Review

  2026 | PG | 102 mins. | Directed by McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton For over 30 years the Toy Story  series has remained one of the most consistent franchises. The original movie was the first computer animated film and has gone on to be remembered as one of the greatest animated movies of all time. After spawning three sequels, the franchise has gone on to become a cultural phenomenon. Now with Toy Story 5 , the toys are back once again and this time they are taking on a new foe that is putting their jobs in jeopardy. Buzz, Jessie and the gang have their hands full when their owner, Bonnie, has a problem making friends. While Bonnie still loves playing with toys and likes to be imaginative and creative, the kids in her neighborhood and in her dance class only want to do one thing, play with their tablets. Bonnie and her parents are unsure of how to get other kids to want to play with her so the parents end up getting Bonnie her own tablet so she can hopefully interact wit...
Post a Comment
Full Review »

The Mandalorian and Grogu | Review

  2026 | PG-13 | 132 mins. | Directed by Jon Favreau It's been seven years since the last time a Star Wars movie hit the big screen. After The Rise of Skywalker premiered in 2019 and was met with lukewarm reception, Disney decided to shift their focus for Star Wars. Over the last seven years the franchise has seen several series make their way to Disney+. These series have allowed Disney to expand the universe and create new stories within the world. The first series, and arguably one of the best, to hit Disney+ was The Mandalorian. Fan and critic reception has been mostly positive for the three seasons of the show. After toying with a fourth season, Disney decided to scrap the idea and do a new Mandalorian movie and return Star Wars to the big screen. With The Mandalorian and Grogu , the movie follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu on a new adventure. Now working for Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) and the New Republic, Mando and Grogu are hired by the Hutt family to track d...
Post a Comment
Full Review »