Struck by Lightning (2012)

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I had never heard of this movie, but I caught it as it was starting on TV last night, and in the absence of anything else good to watch I decided to give it a go, at the end of the movie.... In fact, long after the end of the movie I was still thinking about it.Plot In A Paragraph: A high school boy desperate to escape his hometown and move to New York, attend the college of his dreams and do something other than live in the foot steps of his drunken, divorced mother. He recounts how he blackmailed his fellow students into contributing to his literary magazine and discovers what its like to feel accomplished. I really liked this movie, Chris Colfer is outstanding as Carson, and Allison Janney is brilliant as his mother. Dermot Mulroney offers steady support and Sarah Hyland is a lot of fun as the stuck up cheerleader, whilst Rebel Wilson is her usual reliable self as Malerie.

(Plot) Carson dies rather suddenly one day when he is struck by lightning. He decides to recount his life, and tell the tale of how he blackmailed his classmates into writing for his literary magazine. Talk about a diamond in the rough! I expected a decent time waster, but not a movie that would move me in such a profound way. I usually don't like movies that reveal the ending right at the very beginning, but it actually worked out very well here. Chris Colfer's journey as Carson is alternately a joy to watch, and a little saddening to see what he has to endure. His ailing and mentally ill mother, an estranged Father, a grandmother with Alzheimer's, and being neglected by his classmates, I felt for him. Struck by Lightning also has instances of sharp humor with funny situations. Rebel Wilson provides a few of them with her performance. The friendship between her & Carson is a lot of fun to watch. A lot of us that went to high school find friends in strange places, and the friendship between the two felt very real to me. I also have to give credit to Alison Janney's terrific performance as the troubled Mother. Her character is pitiful at times, but I couldn't help but love her. She was just great. Colfer is the main reason this film works so incredibly well, though. It's his film, and he absolutely nails it. The irony is, High School can be eerily like this. Struck by Lightning is very perceptive that way. The finale is a bit of an emotional roller coaster, even though I knew what was coming because it was hinted strongly at the start. It still moved me very much. It reminded me that building character is far more vital than popularityFinal Thoughts: I may be praising this film a bit too much for some people, but It end up delighting me. It's criminally underrated, especially by IMDb users. This one should at least be in the 7.5 range. It truly is an excellent movie, and one of those gems that sneak up on you. I highly recommend it!8.5/10

This movie was more than great. I can't really explain. It seemed strange in the beginning but then it all cleared. I'm a teenager myself and it's easy to feel what Criss want's me to feel. A quote from movie that really changed me, I think is "The thing i regret the most is waiting for life to begin". The reason why it made think a lot is because I do that. I wait for life begin. I don't live now, I wait say "when I get older I will..". But life is short and you can die in most unexpected ways ever. So from now on I will try to live and not wait for life to begin.This movie really changed me, I really think.

Struck by Lightning hit me hard, it touched me, made me laugh and left me relieved when it was finished. I have to say it was actually Rebel Wilson that made me want to watch this movie. She's as always hilarious no matter what she does. Chris Colfer is definitely one of the best young actors in Hollywood today and i think that the idea he had with Struck By Lightning came through in the end. Its about not standing back and not to let others push you around. To do everything you can to ensure your future (it is after all survival of the fittest). You won't be wasting your time...if you're into teen movies this is a must see. If they keep making movies like this I think there'll be a bright future ahead.